IEC 62841-4-5:2021

Overview

IEC 62841-4-5:2021 is the international safety standard that defines particular requirements for grass shears - electric motor‑operated hand‑held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery with a maximum cutting width of 200 mm designed primarily for cutting grass. Published by the IEC (Edition 1.0, 2021-08) with the January 2024 corrigendum incorporated, this document supplements and modifies the general rules in IEC 62841-1:2014 to produce requirements specific to grass shears. It explicitly excludes hedge trimmers (see IEC 62841-4-2).

Key topics and technical requirements

This part of the IEC 62841 series focuses on safety, tests and construction features specific to grass shears. Major technical topics covered include:

• General requirements and test conditions for type and routine testing
• Electrical safety: starting, input/current, insulation, protection against live parts, earthing and supply connections
• Thermal and environmental performance: heating, moisture resistance, resistance to heat/fire and rusting
• Mechanical safety: mechanical hazards, mechanical strength, cutting device design and strength tests, projections and guards to prevent access to blades
• Human factors and guards: handle dimensions, hand protection, operator presence controls and lock‑off devices
• Durability and abnormal operation tests: endurance and abnormal operation procedures
• Noise and vibration measurement (Annex I) and related test methods
• Battery tool provisions (Annex K and Annex L) for battery packs and battery tools with mains connection or non‑isolated sources
• Marking, instructions and safety signs (Annex AA), plus guidance on artificial test surfaces (Annex BB)
• Creepage distances, clearances and insulation requirements for electrical safety

(The standard is intended to be used together with IEC 62841-1; where Part 4‑5 does not state otherwise, Part 1 applies.)

Applications and who uses this standard

IEC 62841-4-5 is used by:

• Manufacturers and product designers of electric grass shears to ensure compliance and safer designs
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies performing safety and performance testing
• Certification bodies assessing product conformity to international safety requirements
• Safety engineers and R&D teams integrating electrical and mechanical safety features (battery management, guards, operator presence sensors)
• Procurement and quality teams evaluating vendor compliance for professional and consumer lawn and garden machinery

Related standards

• IEC 62841-1:2014 - General requirements for electric motor‑operated hand‑held tools and lawn machinery (must be used in conjunction)
• IEC 62841-4-2 - Particular requirements for hedge trimmers (applies to hedge trimmers, not grass shears)

Keywords: IEC 62841-4-5, grass shears safety standard, lawn and garden machinery, hand‑held tools standard, cutting width 200 mm, battery tools, noise and vibration, mechanical hazards, electrical safety.