Overview
IEC 63333:2023 - General method for assessing the proportion of reused components in products is an international, horizontal publication that provides a standardized, repeatable approach to quantify how much of a product is composed of reused components. Primarily aimed at electrical and electronic products, the method can also be applied to other product types. The standard focuses on assessment methodology, documentation and traceability; it does not address performance, validation or suitability of reused components - those responsibilities remain with the user.
Key Topics
- Four calculation methods to determine the proportion of reused components:
- Proportion by mass at product level
- Proportion by number at product level
- Proportion by mass balance (over a defined period)
- Proportion by number balance (over a defined period)
- Temporal scope requirement: any balance-period used shall be specified, representative of production volume and must not exceed one year.
- Traceability and evidence: verification is indirect and relies on documented evidence from manufacturers, suppliers or authorized distributors; identification of reused components or groups must be recorded.
- Documentation requirements (Clause 5):
- Scope of assessment
- Input data and chosen approach
- Calculations and outputs
- Data sensitivity guidance (Annex A): recommended sensitivity levels (Public / Restricted / Confidential) for data disclosure and handling.
- Informative examples (Annex B): worked examples illustrating the formulas and calculation flows for single and multiple product types.
Applications
Who uses IEC 63333:2023 and why:
- Manufacturers assessing and reporting the share of reused components in products for sustainability reports, eco-design or circular-economy goals.
- Product conformity and sustainability teams integrating reused-component metrics into material-efficiency KPIs.
- Technical committees developing product-specific assessment methods - the standard provides a horizontal baseline that can be adapted to product-group publications.
- Supply chain and procurement teams establishing traceability and documentation procedures for reused parts.
Practical uses include internal audits, supplier verification, sustainability declarations, regulatory compliance preparation and benchmarking material-efficiency performance across product lines.
Related Standards
- Based on European standard EN 45556:2019 (CEN/CENELEC JTC 10) - part of a family addressing material efficiency for ecodesign.
- Classified as a horizontal publication under IEC Guide 108; intended to be used with relevant product standards and national regulations where applicable.
Keywords: IEC 63333:2023, reused components, proportion of reused components, mass balance, number balance, assessment method, electrical and electronic products, traceability, material efficiency.