IEC TC 61主席谈.doc

SAFETY OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
by
D. R. Johns
Chairman of IEC/TC 61
1. Introduction
The international standardization of requirements relating to the safety of household electrical appliances, is dealt with by and is the responsibility of, IEC mittee number 61 (IEC/TC 61). As such, the views and interpretations expressed in this paper are the views and interpretations of the author and must not be taken as a substitute for the text of the IEC 60335 series of standards or as the official opinion of IEC/TC 61.

The aim to IEC/TC 61 is to produce and maintain international standards relating to the safety of household and similar appliances in a manner that is timely, efficient and which keeps pace with modern technology. The standards are produced to fulfil the needs of certification bodies, consumers, manufacturers, national authorities responsible for safety and national standardization bodies. It is the national representatives of these groups which make up the entity which is IEC/TC 61.
The scope of the work of IEC/TC 61 can extend beyond household appliances. It also covers equipment and appliances in similar fields where there is no IEC mittee in existence and this is what is meant by the words “similar appliances” used in the aim. Work in these fringe areas may lead to the setting up of mittees of TC 61 or in some cases new mittees. For example IEC/TC 74 dealing with the safety of information technology equipment had such an evolution.
It is interesting to note that IEC/TC 61 was established in October 1966 and held its first meeting in New York City, USA in February 1967. It evolved from IEC/TC 59 who now deals only with the performance of household electrical appliances.
Currently IEC/TC 61 has seven mittees who look after the international standards relating to various specialized types of appliance. These are:
SC 61B: Safety of microwave ovens (JP/UK)
SC 61C: Household appliances for refrigeration (IT/UK)
SC 61D: Appliances for ai