Standards on Electrical Safety
European and International standards covering electrical safety and related matters. CENELEC safety standards. IEC safety standards.
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European and International standards covering electrical safety and related matters. CENELEC safety standards. IEC safety standards.
European standards (CENELEC) and international ones (IEC) contribute to increasing the safety of electrical and electronic products (Electrotechnical products in general) in support of the Low Voltage Directive or the Radio Equipment Directive.
According to the Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Dangerous Products (RAPEX) notifications involving standards, the main risk types associated with electrical equipment and appliances are electric shock, burns, fire, or damage to sight, amongst others. Most of the RAPEX notifications of dangerous products are supported by European standards to identify non-compliant products. As a consequence, companies, consumer representatives and authorities can rely on European standards to ensure the products they place on the market, the products they purchase or control, comply with the relevant and applicable safety requirements.
Electrical equipment shall be constructed in accordance with good engineering practice in safety matters, it shall not endanger the health and safety of persons and domestic animals, or property, when properly installed and maintained and used in applications for which it was made.
Note: This topic covers in particular the safety of low voltage equipment and installations. For the safety of high voltage or power installations and equipment, see topic Energy.