IEC 60721-3-2:2018

Overview - IEC 60721-3-2:2018 (Transportation and Handling)

IEC 60721-3-2:2018 is the third-edition international standard that classifies the groups of environmental parameters and their severities a product is exposed to during transportation and handling. It applies to transport by road, rail, water (inland and maritime), air and common handling equipment (cranes, lifts, conveyors, hand trollies, persons). The standard covers packaged and unpackaged items and focuses on severe conditions that could harm products. This edition updates definitions, normative references and many classes, and adds a new Annex A; corrigenda through 2024 are included.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Classification groups: Climatic (K), Biological (B), Chemically active substances (C), Mechanically active substances (S) and Mechanical conditions (M).
• Severity levels: Defined maximum/limit values (short-term extremes) used to specify the severity a product may encounter during transport and handling.
• Weather protection: Distinguishes weather-protected vs non-weather-protected conditions and applies classes accordingly.
• Tables and annexes: Updated class tables and informative annexes provide guidance for selecting appropriate classes and interpreting tropical-area effects and chemical agents.
• Combined conditions: Emphasizes that combinations (e.g., high humidity + chemical exposure or vibration + temperature change) may increase stress and must be considered.
• Selection guidance: Users are advised to select the lowest class that covers expected conditions and to specify durations/frequencies when applicable (see IEC 60721-3-0 and IEC 60721-1 for related methods).

Practical applications and who uses this standard

• Product designers and mechanical/electrical engineers - define environmental requirements for transport robustness and design protective measures.
• Packaging and logistics engineers - specify packaging, cushioning, and protective enclosures to meet transport classes.
• Test labs and QA - develop environmental test plans and acceptance criteria for transport/handling simulation (shock, vibration, climatic exposure).
• Procurement and suppliers - include clear transport/handling environmental classes in contracts and technical specifications.
• Certification bodies and compliance teams - reference the IEC 60721 series when assessing product suitability for global distribution.

Related standards and references

• IEC 60721-1 (Environmental parameters and severities)
• IEC 60721-3-0 (Introduction and class usage guidance)
• IEC 60721-3-1 (Storage conditions)
• Relevant IEC Technical Reports (e.g., TR 62130 series) for further environmental data and test guidance

Using IEC 60721-3-2:2018 helps organizations standardize transport-related environmental requirements, reduce product damage in transit, and create consistent test and procurement specifications for global supply chains.