IEC 62301:2026

Overview

IEC 62301:2026, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is the authoritative international standard for measuring electrical power consumption in standby and other non-active modes for appliances and equipment. The focus of this standard is to provide precise and harmonized methods for testing and reporting the power drawn by electronic and electrical devices when not performing their primary function. By establishing standardized measurement procedures, IEC 62301:2026 supports energy efficiency initiatives and enables regulatory compliance for manufacturers and product designers.

This third edition expands the scope of the standard to include battery-powered and DC-powered devices, aligns non-active mode definitions with related standards, and introduces enhanced requirements around data collection and reporting. IEC 62301:2026 does not set minimum performance or safety requirements but provides the vital basis for consistent and comparable energy use assessments in standby and off modes.

Key Topics

• Measurement Scope: Applies to equipment powered by low or extra low voltage AC or DC, including battery-operated devices and those with external power supplies.
• Non-Active Modes Defined: Covers standby and off modes – conditions where no primary function is delivered, but some secondary or auxiliary functions may be active.
• Exclusions: Active (primary function) modes, networked standby modes (covered by IEC 63474:2026), battery charging (other than maintenance mode), and disconnected equipment are not within the scope.
• Product Applicability: Includes household appliances, information technology, audio/video equipment, multimedia systems, and gas appliances with electrical components.
• Measurement Techniques:
  • Requirements for test room parameters, power supply stability, and measurement instrument accuracy.
  • Mandatory uninterrupted data logging and handling of large data sets.
  • Refined procedures for setting up equipment under test (EUT) and assessing stability of results.
  • Introduction of the moving average method for improved accuracy, and discontinuation of the average and direct meter reading methods.
• Data Reporting:
  • Standardized structure for test reports.
  • Explicit requirements to avoid data loss or out-of-range records in reported datasets.
• Alignment with Other Standards: Updated definitions and procedural frameworks ensure consistency with related IEC standards, particularly for products entering modes not classified as networked standby.

Applications

IEC 62301:2026 is a critical resource for:

• Manufacturers of electrical appliances and electronics aiming for energy efficiency labeling, eco-design compliance, and market access in countries referencing international standards.
• Testing Laboratories conducting power measurements for product certification and energy rating schemes.
• Regulatory Authorities establishing energy efficiency requirements for standby power consumption in electrical and electronic equipment.
• Product Designers seeking to minimize standby energy consumption and meet customer or regulatory expectations for lower environmental impact.
• Industry Sectors such as consumer electronics, information technology, home appliances, and any sector where devices exhibit significant non-active power draw.

The standard is commonly referenced by performance standards and energy efficiency programs globally to harmonize measuring and reporting approaches for standby power consumption.

Related Standards

• IEC 63474:2026: Measurement of networked standby power consumption of edge equipment - covers power measurement in networked standby modes that are specifically excluded from IEC 62301:2026.
• IEC 63103: Measurement of power in non-active modes for lighting equipment.
• IEC Guide 118: Guidance on group energy efficiency publications, under which IEC 62301 is classified.
• Product-Specific IEC and ISO Standards: Many refer to IEC 62301 for non-active mode measurement methodologies.

By referencing and implementing IEC 62301:2026, organizations can ensure reliable, comparable, and internationally accepted results for energy consumption in standby and non-active modes, driving progress toward global energy efficiency and sustainability goals.