IEC 62035:2014

Overview

IEC 62035:2014 - Discharge lamps (excluding fluorescent lamps) – Safety specifications - is the second edition (2014) international standard that sets safety requirements for discharge lamps used for general lighting. It cancels and replaces the 1999 edition and subsequent amendments. The standard is a technical revision that integrates photobiological safety using the IEC 62471 risk-group approach and IEC TR 62778 guidance on blue‑light hazard. This edition also introduces new markings and the symbol “Caution, do not stare at light source.”

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

IEC 62035 covers a broad range of safety aspects for discharge lamps (excluding fluorescent lamps). Major topic areas include:

• Scope & definitions - lamp types and terms relevant to discharge lamp safety.
• Marking and information - mandatory lamp markings, additional manufacturer information, and introduction of new safety symbols (e.g., warnings for blue‑light hazard).
• Mechanical requirements - cap construction, cap pull/torsion tests, assembly and durability of lamp components.
• Electrical requirements - protection of parts that can become live, insulation resistance and electric strength tests.
• Thermal requirements - resistance to normal and abnormal heat, maximum cap temperatures and fire resistance.
• Photobiological safety - UV, blue‑light and IR hazard assessment using the IEC 62471 risk-group concept and IEC TR 62778 for blue light; implications for terms, marking, and structure of requirements.
• Particular requirements - special provisions for high‑pressure sodium and metal halide lamps, including containment testing (detailed in normative annexes) for lamps with quartz or ceramic arc tubes.
• Information for luminaire design - guidance to designers on safe lamp operation, protection against shattering, UV protection and cap/holder interfaces (informative annex).
• Assessment & conformity - manufacturer’s record assessment, batch sampling procedures, acceptable quality levels (AQL) and testing sequences.

Applications - Who Uses IEC 62035

IEC 62035 is essential for stakeholders involved with discharge lamp safety and compliance:

• Lamp manufacturers - design, marking, testing and production quality control.
• Test laboratories & certification bodies - type testing, containment testing and conformity assessment.
• Luminaire designers and OEMs - integrating lamps safely into fixtures and providing protective measures.
• Regulators and procurement teams - specifying safety requirements in tenders and regulations.
• Safety engineers - assessing photobiological risks (blue light, UV) and thermal/electrical hazards.

Related Standards

• IEC 62471 - Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems (risk-group concept referenced by IEC 62035).
• IEC TR 62778 - Guidance on blue‑light hazard evaluation.
• IEC 60061 - Lamp caps and gauges (referenced in annexes of IEC 62035).

Keywords: IEC 62035, discharge lamps safety, photobiological safety, blue light hazard, metal halide containment, high‑pressure sodium lamps, lamp marking, luminaire design, IEC 62471.