General Information

Abstract

This document specifies test methods for surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors by evaluating the quality of sEMG signals obtained from contracting the muscles of the forearm and hand for wearable applications. It is applicable to sEMG sensors that are used to decipher movement intentions and use them as control signals in situations such as virtual reality, game, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), robot control, and home automation. This document does not apply to sEMG sensors intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical devices, national requirements can apply.

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
24-Jul-2025
Publication Date
23-Sep-2026
Technical Committee
I09 - Imaginarni 09
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
22-Sep-2026
Due Date
27-Nov-2026
Completion Date
24-Sep-2026

Buy Documents

Standard

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 - BARVE

English language (22 pages)
Preview
Preview
e-Library read for
1 day

Overview

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 specifies standardized test methods for evaluating surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors used on the forearm and hand in wearable electronic applications. Developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) in alignment with IEC standards, this document provides guidance and benchmarks for performance assessment of sEMG sensors that are essential for non-medical wearable technologies. It particularly focuses on the ability of sEMG sensors to detect muscle activity accurately and consistently, facilitating a broad range of innovative uses in consumer electronics and human-machine interaction.

This standard is not intended for sEMG sensors intended for clinical or medical diagnostics but rather for applications such as gesture recognition, control interfaces in virtual reality (VR), gaming, robotics, and smart home automation.

Key Topics

  • Surface Electromyography (sEMG): Defines the technique of using surface electrodes to capture electrical signals produced by muscle activity, with focus on wearable devices.
  • sEMG Sensor Classification: Outlines classifications based on conductive medium (dry, semi-dry, wet), channel configuration (single, multi-single, multi-type), and electrode fixation methods (adhesive, band/clamp).
  • Sensor Performance Evaluation: Details methods for:
    • Measuring baseline noise
    • Conducting signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) tests
    • Performing distinguishability and repeatability assessments
  • Test Procedures: Includes protocols for sensor placement, subject preparation, and specific muscle targeting to ensure reliable signal acquisition for development and quality control.
  • Feature Extraction: Introduces recommended methods for analyzing sEMG data, such as time-domain analysis, to support accurate intent recognition.
  • Test Reporting: Specifies necessary information for comprehensive reports to ensure transparency and comparability of results.

Applications

The standardized test methods outlined in IEC 63203-403-1 are vital for:

  • Gesture Recognition: sEMG data enables hands-free device control, enhancing user interaction in VR, AR, and gaming applications.
  • Robotics and Drone Control: Allows intuitive control of robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through natural muscle movements.
  • Wearable User Interfaces: Supports development of smart armbands, gloves, and other wearable controls for consumer electronics and IoT devices.
  • Home Automation: Facilitates gesture-based command of lights, appliances, and security systems using wearable sEMG sensors.
  • Quality Assurance: Establishes repeatable, comparable benchmarks for product development, conformity assessment, and supplier evaluation.

Related Standards

For comprehensive integration and development of wearable electronic devices and sensor technologies, consider consulting:

  • IEC 63203 series: General standards for wearable electronic devices and related test methods.
  • ISO/IEC Guides: For international terminology and measurement protocols in electronics and sensors.
  • SIST EN 60601-1: Safety requirements for medical electrical equipment (note: for medical applications, not directly applicable to consumer-focused sEMG).

Practical Value

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 provides manufacturers, developers, quality assurance teams, and researchers with:

  • A clear framework for testing and optimizing sEMG sensor placement and configuration on the forearm and hand.
  • Standardized criteria for sensor performance, minimizing misinterpretation and facilitating innovation.
  • Robust procedures for developing reliable, user-friendly wearable technologies.

These guidelines ensure interoperability, safety, and performance in wearable technology, supporting market growth and user confidence in products leveraging sEMG sensor technology. By following this standard, organizations can streamline R&D, expedite regulatory acceptance, and deliver superior user experiences.

Buy Documents

Standard

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 - BARVE

English language (22 pages)
Preview
Preview
e-Library read for
1 day

Frequently Asked Questions

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 is a standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Wearable electronic devices and technologies - Part 403-1: Test method of surface electromyography sensors on forearm and hand for wearable applications (IEC 63203-403-1:2026)". This standard covers: This document specifies test methods for surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors by evaluating the quality of sEMG signals obtained from contracting the muscles of the forearm and hand for wearable applications. It is applicable to sEMG sensors that are used to decipher movement intentions and use them as control signals in situations such as virtual reality, game, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), robot control, and home automation. This document does not apply to sEMG sensors intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical devices, national requirements can apply.

This document specifies test methods for surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors by evaluating the quality of sEMG signals obtained from contracting the muscles of the forearm and hand for wearable applications. It is applicable to sEMG sensors that are used to decipher movement intentions and use them as control signals in situations such as virtual reality, game, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), robot control, and home automation. This document does not apply to sEMG sensors intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical devices, national requirements can apply.

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 31.020 - Electronic components in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2026
Nosljive elektronske naprave in tehnologije - 403-1. del: Preskusna metoda
površinskih elektromiografskih senzorjev na podlahti in roki za nosljive aplikacije
(IEC 63203-403-1:2026)
Wearable electronic devices and technologies - Part 403-1: Test method of surface
electromyography sensors on forearm and hand for wearable applications (IEC 63203-
403-1:2026)
Tragbare elektronische Geräte und Technologien - Teil 403-1: Prüfverfahren für
Oberflächen-Elektromyographie-Sensoren an Unterarm und Hand für tragbare
Anwendungen (IEC 63203-403-1:2026)
Technologies et dispositifs électroniques prêts-à-porter - Partie 403-1: Méthode d'essai
des capteurs d’électromyographie de surface sur l'avant-bras et la main pour les
applications prêtes-à-porter (IEC 63203-403-1:2026)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026
ICS:
31.020 Elektronske komponente na Electronic components in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 63203-403-1

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM September 2026
ICS 31.020
English Version
Wearable electronic devices and technologies - Part 403-1: Test
method of surface electromyography sensors on forearm and
hand for wearable applications
(IEC 63203-403-1:2026)
Technologies et dispositifs électroniques prêts-à-porter - Tragbare elektronische Geräte und Technologien - Teil 403-
Partie 403-1: Méthode d'essai des capteurs 1: Prüfverfahren für Oberflächen-Elektromyographie-
d'électromyographie de surface sur l'avant-bras et la main Sensoren an Unterarm und Hand für tragbare
pour les applications prêtes-à-porter Anwendungen
(IEC 63203-403-1:2026) (IEC 63203-403-1:2026)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2026-09-08. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
Ref. No. EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026 E

European foreword
The text of document 124/390/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 63203-403-1, prepared by TC 124
"Wearable electronic devices and technologies" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN IEC 63203-403-1:2026.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2027-09-30
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2029-09-30
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 63203-403-1:2026 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
Annex ZA
(normative)
Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cencenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60050-702 1992 International Electrotechnical - -
Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 702:
Oscillations, signals and related devices
+ A1 2016
+ A2 2016
+ A3 2017
+ A4 2018
+ A5 2019
+ A6 2021
IEC 63203-403-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2026-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Wearable electronic devices and technologies -
Part 403-1: Test method of surface electromyography sensors on forearm and
hand for wearable applications
ICS 31.020  ISBN 978-2-8327-1406-5

IEC 63203-403-1:2026-08(en)
IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 2
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Test conditions . 5
4.1 Test environment . 5
4.2 Subject requirement . 5
5 Test equipment. 6
5.1 Classification . 6
5.2 Sensor selection . 6
5.3 Technical requirement . 6
5.4 Signal transmission . 7
6 Test procedure . 7
6.1 Test procedure . 7
6.2 Determination of muscles to test . 7
6.3 Sensor placement . 7
7 Measurement of sensor performance . 8
7.1 Baseline noise test . 8
7.2 SNR test . 9
7.3 Distinguishability test . 9
7.4 Repeatability test . 10
8 Test report . 10
Annex A (informative) Hand movements and muscle positions for sensor placement . 12
A.1 Wrist movements and muscle positions for sensor placement . 12
A.2 Finger movements and muscle positions for sensor placement . 12
A.3 Distribution map of forearm and hand muscles . 13
Annex B (informative) Feature extraction methods of sEMG signals . 16
Annex C (informative) Construction of confusion matrix . 18

Figure 1 – Sensor placement for armband-type sEMG sensor . 8
Figure 2 – Placement of multi-single sEMG sensor on forearm for wrist flexion . 8
Figure A.1 – Forearm muscle distribution and positions for sensor placement . 14
Figure A.2 – Hand muscle distribution and positions for sensor placement . 15
Figure B.1 – Feature extraction with sliding window technique . 16

Table 1 – Classification of sEMG sensors . 6
Table 2 – Recommended sampling rate for different applications . 7
Table A.1 – Wrist movements and related muscles . 12
Table A.2 – Finger movements and related muscles . 13
Table B.1 – Time-domain feature extraction methods for sEMG signals. 17
Table C.1 – Confusion matrix for a N-category classifier . 18

IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
Wearable electronic devices and technologies -
Part 403-1: Test method of surface electromyography sensors
on forearm and hand for wearable applications

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and
in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 63203-403-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 124: Wearable electronic
devices and technologies. It is an International Standard.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
124/390/FDIS 124/395/RVD
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 International Standard is English.
IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63203 series, published under the general title Wearable electronic
devices and technologies can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
– reconfirmed,
– withdrawn, or
– revised.
IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
1 Scope
This document specifies test methods for surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors by
evaluating the quality of sEMG signals obtained from contracting the muscles of the forearm
and hand for wearable applications. It is applicable to sEMG sensors that are used to decipher
movement intentions and use them as control signals in situations such as virtual reality, game,
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), robot control, and home automation. This document does not
apply to sEMG sensors intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. For medical devices,
national requirements can apply.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-702:1992, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 702: Oscillations,
signals and related devices
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD1:2016
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD2:2016
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD3:2017
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD4:2018
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD5:2019
IEC 60050-702:1992/AMD6:2021
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-702 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
– IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
– ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
surface electromyography
sEMG
technique in which electrodes are placed on the skin over muscles to detect the electrical
activity of the muscles
3.2
electrode
part of the sensor that transfers the electric potential on the skin to the electric circuit of the
sensor
3.3
sEMG sensor
device that produces a signal by measuring the electrical potential difference between the
electrodes
3.4
sEMG signal
electrical signal of muscles detected by sensors that are placed on the skin above those
muscles
IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
3.5
subject
person or animal that is being tested or studied
Note 1 to entry: In this document, it is the person being tested.
3.6
palpation
act of examining part of the body by touching it
3.7
baseline noise
electrical signal acquired from sEMG sensors attached to the skin when targeted muscles are
relaxed as much as possible
3.8
signal-to-noise ratio
SNR
ratio, generally expressed in decibels, of the power of the wanted signal to that of the coexistent
noise at a specified point in a transmission channel under specified conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-702:1992, 702-08-61, modified – Note to entry deleted.]
3.9
passive sEMG sensor
sEMG sensor that produces raw signals which can require further amplification or signal
processing
3.10
active sEMG sensor
sEMG sensor that is equipped with amplifier or signal processing circuit
4 Test conditions
4.1 Test environment
The test is carried out under the environmental operating range (ambient temperature, relative
humidity, atmospheric pressure) specified by the manufacturer. It is recommended to have the
test conducted in an environment that is isolated from power line sources, and other external
noise sources (such as vibrations from a machine, and crowded place).
4.2 Subject requirement
The requirements for subjects are as follows.
a) The test methods in this document apply to subjects with intact upper limbs.
b) The subjects shall be healthy and free from muscle or nerve-related disorders.
c) Subjects shall wear loose clothes that allow their forearms and hands to be exposed easily.
d) The subject shall clean their forearm to remove the oil and skin debris before the test, or
the test operator can choose not to clean the skin and record the testing condition of the
skin. It is also recommended to shave excessive hairs on the forearm.
e) The subjects shall maintain the posture they are comfortable with during the test, or the
experimenter can choose whether the subject should maintain the posture or move the
upper arm in a specific sequence and record the testing conditions.
IEC 63203-403-1:2026 © IEC 2026
5 Test equipment
5.1 Classification
The classification of the sEMG sensors is shown in Table 1.
a) Based on the conductive medium, the type of sEMG sensor is classified as dry, semi-dry
and wet.
b) Based on the channel configuration, the type of sEMG sensor can be classified a
...