EN 60721-3-7:1995/A1:1997

Overview

EN 60721-3-7:1995/A1:1997 (adopted by CLC) is an amendment to Section 7 of the EN 60721 series, which provides a standardized classification of environmental conditions for portable and non‑stationary use. The document defines how groups of environmental parameters and their severities are described so manufacturers, test laboratories and specifiers can uniformly define and communicate expected environmental stresses for equipment used in mobile, handheld or frequently relocated applications.

Key Topics

• Scope and purpose: Establishes a common framework to classify environmental influences for portable and non‑stationary equipment so that design, testing and procurement can reference the same severity levels.
• Environmental parameter groups: Covers categories of environmental influences relevant to portable use (for example mechanical stress, temperature, humidity, contamination and electromagnetic environment) and groups them for consistent treatment.
• Severity classes: Specifies a graduated set of severity classes describing how intense or frequent an environmental parameter is expected to be for a given application (note: this summary does not reproduce numeric limits).
• Assignment and combination rules: Guidance on how to assign classes to products and how combined environments should be interpreted when multiple parameters apply simultaneously.
• Documentation and communication: Recommendations for stating environmental classifications on datasheets, specifications and test plans to ensure clarity between suppliers, manufacturers and testing organizations.

Applications

Who uses EN 60721-3-7 and how it is applied:

• Manufacturers of portable electronics, tools, instrumentation and mobile equipment use the standard to define environmental design targets and reliability requirements.
• Test laboratories and QA teams use the classification to select appropriate environmental tests and to interpret test results against expected severity classes.
• Procurement and specification writers reference the standard to create clear environmental requirements in contracts and technical specifications.
• Design and reliability engineers apply the classification to guide material selection, enclosure design, sealing, and shock/vibration mitigation measures.

Practical benefits include improved interoperability of specifications, reduced ambiguity in environmental requirements, and streamlined testing and compliance processes for portable and non‑stationary products.

Related standards

• EN 60721 series (other parts) - broader classification of environmental conditions for different application modalities.
• Relevant CENELEC/CLC and IEC documents on environmental testing and qualification (used together with EN 60721 classifications for test methods and limits).

Keywords: EN 60721-3-7, classification of environmental conditions, portable and non-stationary use, environmental testing, severity classes, CLC, environmental parameters.