Have you ever switched on a coffee machine, toaster, hot plate, dishwasher, microwave oven, sewing machine, vacuum cleaner, humidifier, skin- or haircare appliance, or simply turned on the heating in your home? Have you used outdoor appliances such as barbecues, portable heaters, grills or similar portable cooking appliances? If the answer is yes to any of these—and we suspect it is—then you have been using appliances that comply with standards developed by CLC/TC 61 ‘Safety of household and similar electrical appliances’ and its international counterpart IEC/TC 61.
This CENELEC Technical Committee works tirelessly on the EN IEC 60335 series that sets out safety requirements for about 136 electrical appliances, covering both household and commercial applications, including appliances used in professional kitchens. EN IEC 62115 ‘Electric toys – Safety’ is also part of its portfolio. This standard specifies safety requirements for electric toys that have at least one function dependent on electricity.
These European Standards are continuously adopted from international standards and adapted for the European market, incorporating state-of-the-art technological developments while addressing health, safety, and environmental requirements in line with European legislation. One of the TC’s key objectives is to support compliance with the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU), and the Toys Directive (2009/48/EC).
It is important to note that the EN IEC 60335 series follows a common structure shared with IEC standards, consisting of general requirements (Part 1) and product-specific requirements (Part 2 standards). Consequently, more than 135 standards reference Part 1, which provides stable foundation for the entire series. The latest revision of Part 1 (the forthcoming European Amendment A12) is currently at the Formal Vote stage and is expected to be published by the end of this year. This amendment addresses the restrictions raised by the European Commission concerning the previous edition.
In addition, standards affected by Formal Objections, including Part 14 (‘Kitchen machines’), Part 27 (‘Appliances for skin exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation’), and Part 60 (‘Whirlpool baths and whirlpool spas’), are expected to be published in the first half of 2027. Part 9 (‘Grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances’) is expected to follow in the first half of 2028, with expert involvement of the LVD ADCO to address all current issues on the IEC level. These new-generation standards incorporate consensus-based solutions to address the outstanding Formal Objections and are therefore highly anticipated by stakeholders.
The TC recently celebrated its 50th anniversary during its 100th Plenary Meeting, held in Brussels in December 2025. During the most recent Plenary Meeting in Offenburg, Germany, at the end of April 2026, the TC considered several critical decisions, paving the way for the publication of a significant portion of the standards portfolio. Thanks to these important decisions, a total of 121 product-specific standards are expected to be published by CENELEC within a year. Out of these, 89 are in public Enquiry stage, with publication expected towards the first half of 2027, while around 32 are in the Formal Vote stage, with publication expected by the end of 2026.
We invite all interested stakeholders relying on these standards to follow the Work Programme of CLC/TC 61 for the state-of-the-art updates in the upcoming period. Congratulations to this group for their tireless work in developing safety standards for the European Single Market.
Attila UNHAUZER
AUnhauzer@cencenelec.eu
