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Are Current Product Safety Standards Safe Enough? A Look at UL & IEC

Nov 6, 2013

Quick Answer

Safety standards, while essential, may not always fully account for long-term product safety and potential failure modes, as demonstrated by past recalls. For example, 15 million Schneider Electric surge protectors were recalled in 2014 due to overheating Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs), despite complying with an older version of the UL1449 standard. This incident highlights the need for standards, even those updated in 2007 and 2009 like UL1449, to potentially evolve further by incorporating end-of-life failure mode confirmations to enhance ongoing product safety.

A recent recall of surge protectors brings up some interesting issues and discussions.  MOVs are a common item used to clamp surge voltages.  However, industry has found that MOVs overheat when subjected to many surges and also overvoltage conditions.  Here’s a good report of one firms findings – http://www.circuitbreakersblog.com/tag/metal-oxide-varistors/.  UL addressed the issue in the latest edition of the Standard – UL1449 Surge Protective Devices.  However, the requirements went into effect in 2007, then again 2009.  This latest recall is for 15 million surge protectors by Schneider Electric – http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Schneider-Electric-Recalls-APC-Surge-Protectors/.  They were all built and complied to the old UL Standard.  How many more surge protectors are out there that may have an issue?  Should our Standards start to include end of life failure mode confirmations?

There are a couple of new IEC Standards incorporating Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (IEC62368-1 is the new Hazard Based Safety Engineering Standard for IT Equipment, IEC60601 3rd Edition is the new Risk Management based Standard for Medical Equipment, ISO12100 is the new Hazard ID and Risk Assessment based Standard for Machinery going to Europe, and there are more on the way).  Should all our Standards be moving in that direction?  It seems it’s happening internationally.  Should it come to the USA?  Give us your thoughts and feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

1 How quickly can Product Safety Consulting assist with equipment that needs immediate certification?

Product Safety Consulting offers field evaluation teams that can be on-site within 48 hours, anywhere in the U.S. or worldwide. This service is designed to address immediate certification needs for equipment that may be holding up an installation or facility opening.

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