IEC TR 60878:2022

Overview

IEC TR 60878:2022 - Graphical symbols for electrical equipment in medical practice is a Technical Report from the IEC that compiles standardized graphical symbols and safety signs used on medical electrical equipment. This fourth edition replaces IEC TR 60878:2015 and is a technical revision that adds 109 new symbols and updates 14 existing titles/descriptions. The report groups symbols by application area (25 collections) and provides graphics, official titles, descriptions, and indexes for easy reference. The corrigendum of February 2023 is included.

Key topics

• Comprehensive symbol catalogue: A single-source compilation of graphical symbols for medical devices, including controls, movement, electrical/electronic functions, optics, imaging, ultrasound, electrosurgery, implantable devices and safety signs.
• Organized collections: Symbols are grouped into application collections (e.g., Controls; Patient monitoring; Diagnostic X‑ray, CT, MR; Active Implantable Medical Devices), facilitating quick lookup and consistent use.
• Title and description tables: Each symbol includes a standardized title and descriptive text to support consistent labeling and documentation.
• Drafting and design rules: Symbols are intended to comply with ISO/IEC 80416 drafting principles for graphical symbols to ensure legibility and minimize user error.
• Change tracking: New symbols are marked with “New” and modified ones with “Mod” for clear identification of updates from the previous edition.
• Indexes: Alphabetical and numerical indexes to speed up symbol discovery.

Practical applications

Who uses IEC TR 60878:2022 and how:

• Medical device manufacturers - for device front‑panels, user interfaces, and packaging to ensure consistent, internationally understandable pictograms and safety signs.
• Regulatory and compliance teams - to align labeling with international norms and support conformity documentation tied to IEC 60601 series requirements.
• Clinical engineers and hospital procurement - to interpret equipment markings, plan safe device placement and integrate equipment into clinical workflows.
• Technical writers and trainers - to produce user manuals, quick‑start guides and safety training with standardized symbols.
• Standards committees and designers - to harmonize new symbol proposals and maintain consistency with ISO/IEC 80416 design guidance.

Practical uses include on-device markings, alarm panels, packaging, transport labels, manuals and safety signage in clinical environments.

Related standards

Relevant cross-references that support or complement IEC TR 60878:

• IEC 60417 (graphical symbols for equipment)
• IEC 60601-1 and collateral standards (medical electrical safety)
• ISO/IEC 80416 (symbol design and drafting rules)
• ISO 3864-1 (safety colours and safety signs)
• ISO 7000 / IEC 62570 and other imaging, laser and MR marking standards

IEC TR 60878:2022 is available from the IEC Webstore and is intended as a practical reference to ensure consistent, safe and internationally intelligible graphical marking of medical electrical equipment.