IEC TR 63381:2025
(Main)Application of IEC 60335‑2‑27 for field inspections of UV emission of UV appliances
Application of IEC 60335‑2‑27 for field inspections of UV emission of UV appliances
IEC TR 63381:2025 brings clarification and guidance concerning the assessment of the UV emission output of UV appliances in the field with respect of the type-testing requirements of IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024, Clause 32.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 04-Mar-2025
- Technical Committee
- TC 61 - Safety of household and similar electrical appliances
- Current Stage
- PPUB - Publication issued
- Start Date
- 05-Mar-2025
- Completion Date
- 28-Mar-2025
Overview - IEC TR 63381:2025 (UV emission field inspection guidance)
IEC TR 63381:2025 provides practical clarification and guidance for assessing the UV emission output of UV appliances in the field with respect to the type‑testing requirements of IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024, Clause 32. It recognizes that market inspections occur outside laboratory conditions (variable mains voltage, temperature fluctuations, aged lamps) and describes an escalated, pragmatic approach to verify UV emission compliance when appliances cannot be moved to a lab.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Guidance for field inspections of UV appliances, explaining differences between laboratory type‑testing and on‑site assessment.
- Escalation procedure: A four‑step assessment workflow:
- Paperwork check - verify lamp equivalency codes, filter/reflector article numbers, ballast compatibility and markings.
- On‑site survey with handheld UV radiometer - integral measurements used for rapid surveys (requires radiometer validation against spectro‑radiometer; warm‑up and temperature recording; measurement positions per IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024 clause 32.101.1).
- On‑site spectro‑radiometer - spectral measurements for more detailed on‑site analysis.
- Laboratory test - full type‑test equivalent to resolve remaining doubts.
- Paperwork checks: Ensure fluorescent lamps use the marked X/Y equivalency code (introduced in relation to IEC 61228), and replaceable emitters/parts match manufacturer instructions.
- Measurement best practices: Validate handheld radiometers, allow instrument and appliance warm‑up, isolate emitting parts, measure surfaces simulating the human body and search for maximum readings.
- Classification: Field inspections conclude with a compliance classification (e.g., C1 or S1) and may escalate to laboratory testing for definitive results.
- Informative annexes: Guidance on handheld radiometer use, rounding of radiation measurements, and laboratory requirements for field measurement support.
Practical applications and users
- Market surveillance authorities and regulators conducting in‑market checks of tanning and other UV appliances.
- Conformity assessment and testing laboratories planning on‑site or follow‑up investigations.
- Manufacturers and service/maintenance teams verifying correct lamp replacements, filters, ballasts and reflectors.
- Certification bodies and safety inspectors who need a pragmatic, documented route from quick surveys to full laboratory verification.
Related standards
- IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024 - safety requirements and type‑test methods for appliances for skin exposure to optical radiation.
- IEC 61228 - referenced for the X/Y lamp equivalency concept.
- ISO/IEC 17025 - competence requirements for testing and calibration laboratories used where laboratory confirmation is required.
Keywords: IEC TR 63381:2025, IEC 60335‑2‑27, field inspections, UV emission, handheld UV radiometer, spectro‑radiometer, lamp equivalency, market surveillance, UV appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
IEC TR 63381:2025 is a technical report published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Its full title is "Application of IEC 60335‑2‑27 for field inspections of UV emission of UV appliances". This standard covers: IEC TR 63381:2025 brings clarification and guidance concerning the assessment of the UV emission output of UV appliances in the field with respect of the type-testing requirements of IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024, Clause 32.
IEC TR 63381:2025 brings clarification and guidance concerning the assessment of the UV emission output of UV appliances in the field with respect of the type-testing requirements of IEC 60335‑2‑27:2024, Clause 32.
IEC TR 63381:2025 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.120 - Domestic safety; 97.170 - Body care equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
You can purchase IEC TR 63381:2025 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of IEC standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
IEC TR 63381 ®
Edition 1.0 2025-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Application of IEC 60335‑2‑27 for field inspections of UV emission of UV
appliances
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IEC TR 63381 ®
Edition 1.0 2025-03
TECHNICAL
REPORT
Application of IEC 60335‑2‑27 for field inspections of UV emission of UV
appliances
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 13.120; 97.170 ISBN 978-2-8327-0274-1
– 2 – IEC TR 63381:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 General conditions for the tests . 7
4.1 Paperwork check . 8
4.1.1 UV fluorescent lamps . 8
4.1.2 Other lamps . 8
4.1.3 Filters . 8
4.1.4 Ballasts . 8
4.1.5 Reflectors . 8
4.1.6 Classification . 8
4.2 On-site survey with hand-held UV radiometer . 8
4.2.1 Hand-held UV radiometer survey . 8
4.2.2 Classification . 9
4.3 On-site measurement with spectro-radiometer . 9
4.3.1 Spectro-radiometer measurements . 9
4.3.2 Classification . 9
4.4 Laboratory test . 9
4.4.1 Laboratory test method . 9
4.4.2 Classification . 9
5 Classification . 9
Annex A (informative) Guideline for the use of handheld UV radiometer . 10
Annex B (informative) Guideline for rounding of radiation measurements . 11
Annex C (informative) Example of requirements to laboratories for on-site field
measurements . 12
Bibliography . 13
Table B.1 – Limits of effective irradiance and their rounding . 11
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
APPLICATION OF IEC 60335-2-27 FOR FIELD INSPECTIONS
OF UV EMISSION OF UV APPLIANCES
FOREWORD
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IEC TR 63381 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 61: Safety of household and
similar electrical appliances. It is a Technical Report.
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
61/7339/DTR 61/7388/RVDTR
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this Technical Report is English.
– 4 – IEC TR 63381:2025 © IEC 2025
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INTRODUCTION
IEC 60335-2-27 provides requirements on the emission of UV radiation by UV appliances as
covered by its scope. These requirements are intended for determining compliance during the
type-testing of the products in a laboratory environment.
Later, market surveillance authorities would like to check this compliance at business locations
in their territory, since the UV emission of these products can be influenced in different ways
and health aspects can be ignored due to commercial interests, or just by a lack of knowledge.
The exchange of emitters can have an especially significant influence on the emission character
of UV appliances. Fluorescent UV lamps and high-pressure metal halide lamps are showing
strong ageing behaviour and are replaced for performance reasons at least every 1 000 hours.
IEC 60335-2-27 introduced in connection with IEC 61228 the so-called X/Y lamp equivalency
code for UV fluorescent lamps and a marking on the appliances which lamps, with which code
are to be used with the appliance. Additionally, IEC 60335-2-27:2024, 7.12 states:
The instructions for UV appliances shall include the substance of the following:
– identification of components that can influence the ultraviolet radiation, such as filters and
reflectors;
– identification of replaceable UV emitters and a statement that they are only to be replaced
by types marked on the appliance. For fluorescent UV lamps for tanning, it shall be stated
that they are only to be replaced by types marked with an equivalency code, the UV
component of which falls within the UV component e
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