ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Standards Summary – May 2025 (Part 2 of 3)

Looking back at May 2025, the Electrical Engineering sector experienced a surge of impactful standards, each playing a distinct role in the ongoing evolution of product safety, environmental stewardship, and systems management. This overview analyzes five recently published international standards that collectively mark a shift towards greener technologies, better asset reliability, and enhanced safety for advanced lighting solutions. For professionals, quality managers, compliance officers, and engineers, this account provides a synthesized reference point to help assess implementation priorities, locate missed developments, and align organizational strategies with the current regulatory environment.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 stood out as an active month for Electrical Engineering standardization, driven by both regulatory imperatives and the need for clarity in novel technology deployments. The period brought forth a blend of environmental focus—especially visible in the attention to luminaires and the lifecycle impacts of electrical products—and continued the momentum towards safer, more sustainable lighting solutions. The month's publications were notable for extending support to manufacturers seeking environmental credentials, as well as to asset managers responsible for the reliability of electrical networks.

Compared to typical cycles, the variety in these five standards underscores a holistic approach: lifecycle assessment rules for luminaires, updated best practices for synthetic organic esters in power equipment, comprehensive guidelines for managing network assets, and new requirements for emerging OLED technologies. These efforts signal a trend towards harmonization with broader international frameworks and practical standards that anticipate technological and market shifts—particularly in smart grid adaptation and advanced lighting systems.

Standards Published This Month

IEC PAS 63629:2025 – PSR – Specific Rules for Luminaires

PSR – Specific Rules for Luminaires

IEC PAS 63629:2025 outlines product-specific rules (PSR) for luminaires, offering manufacturers definitive requirements for developing Product Environmental Profiles (PEP). The standard details necessary parameters for conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the context of luminaires, including typical lifetimes and use-phase scenarios as factors in environmental impact calculations. Developed in partnership with the PEP ecopassport® program, it bridges the gap until broader product category rules (PCR) from IEC are finalized, ensuring stakeholders have consistent and robust metrics to assess the environmental performance of lighting products.

The scope encompasses all luminaires connected to the power grid, excluding self-contained emergency equipment, and applies to any market or geography. Environmental and product managers, LCA experts in lighting, and PEP program verifiers are the primary users. By setting internationally harmonized criteria grounded in ISO 14025, ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and referencing "NF EN 60598-1:2021," the standard enables transparent, comparable, and non-misleading environmental declarations compliant with Type III EPDs. Notably, it also addresses rules for scenario development during product use, system boundary definitions for LCA, and update cycles for environmental declarations.

Key highlights:

• Specifies technology type, lifetime, and operational scenarios for luminaires' LCAs
• Harmonizes environmental impact reporting with international EPD frameworks
• Facilitates global trade and compliance for lighting manufacturers

Access the full standard:View IEC PAS 63629:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61203:2025 – Synthetic Organic Esters – Guidelines for Maintenance and Use in Electrical Equipment

Synthetic Organic Esters – Guidelines for Maintenance and Use in Electrical Equipment

IEC 61203:2025 is an extensively revised guide supporting the maintenance and application of synthetic organic esters in transformers and other electrical equipment. The standard classifies equipment categories, details diagnostic testing and reconditioning procedures, and offers interpretive guidance for critical properties such as water content, breakdown voltage, and chemical compatibility. New in this edition are comprehensive testing regimes for both field and laboratory settings, retrofitting guidance for mineral oil transformers, and extensive compatibility advice—addressing the needs of asset managers, maintenance teams, and manufacturers transitioning to or optimizing the use of synthetic esters.

The standard is vital for organizations involved in oil-filled electrical equipment, particularly where fire safety, environmental impact, and enhanced dielectric properties are critical. It also addresses monitoring intervals, assessment of in-service fluids, and outlines corrective action if testing reveals nonconformities (such as excessive moisture or acidity). The broad update from the 1992 edition underlines the rapid adoption of esters as sustainable alternatives within power infrastructure.

Key highlights:

• Consolidated equipment categories for targeted diagnostics and monitoring
• Clear testing requirements and recommended action thresholds for fluid properties
• Guidance for reconditioning, reclaiming, and retrofitting transformers

Access the full standard:View IEC 61203:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC TS 63224:2025 – Management of Network Assets in Power Systems – Management Aspects

Management of Network Assets in Power Systems – Management Aspects

IEC TS 63224:2025 provides a specialized framework for asset management in power networks, mapping established ISO 55001:2024 principles directly to the context of transmission and distribution (T&D) organizations. The specification facilitates implementation by power system operators, asset managers, and utility executives, offering sector-specific interpretation of generic ISO requirements. With coverage of organizational context, leadership, resource planning, risk management, monitoring, and performance evaluation, the standard reinforces asset lifecycle consistency and supports long-term reliability.

Major features include illustrative case studies focused on T&D environments, practical examples for leadership and decision processes, and tables of asset management policies and objectives. By synchronizing with ISO 55001 but targeted at networked infrastructure, this technical specification helps organizations achieve mature, auditable asset management disciplines tuned to their operational reality.

Key highlights:

• Clause-by-clause alignment with ISO 55001, tailored for power systems
• Real-world case studies and planning tools for asset-intensive utilities
• Promotes harmonized, performance-driven asset management across organizational boundaries

Access the full standard:View IEC TS 63224:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62868-2-1:2020 – OLED Light Sources for General Lighting – Safety – Part 2-1: Particular Requirements – Semi-integrated OLED Modules

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Light Sources for General Lighting – Safety – Part 2-1: Particular Requirements – Semi-integrated OLED Modules

IEC 62868-2-1:2020 (and its 2025 amendment) introduces updated safety requirements for semi-integrated OLED modules—lighting components with built-in control means but requiring external controlgear. The standard applies to modules operating with up to 120 V DC (ripple-free) or up to 50 V AC RMS, focusing on their use in general lighting with external power sources. Key requirements include mechanical safety, protection from live parts, insulation resistance after humidity exposure, fire and thermal resistance, and minimum marking protocols for rated temperature.

The standard’s intent is to aid designers, manufacturers, and evaluators in producing OLED lighting that is safe for public and commercial installations. It harmonizes with general requirements for LED products and integrates recent updates addressing product marking and safety, reflecting the growing adoption of OLEDs in energy-efficient lighting applications.

Key highlights:

• Defines insulation, marking, and construction criteria for semi-integrated OLED modules
• Ensures protection from mechanical, thermal, and electrical hazards
• Updated by a 2025 amendment to refine compliance and testing procedures

Access the full standard:View IEC 62868-2-1:2020 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62868-2-2:2020 – OLED Light Sources for General Lighting – Safety – Part 2-2: Particular Requirements – Integrated OLED Modules

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) Light Sources for General Lighting – Safety – Part 2-2: Particular Requirements – Integrated OLED Modules

IEC 62868-2-2:2020 (including its 2025 amendment) delivers targeted safety requirements for integrated OLED modules—products intended for direct connection to high-voltage DC (up to 1,000 V) or AC (up to 1,000 V RMS) supplies. This document distinguishes itself from Part 2-1 by focusing on modules that are fully integrated, i.e., equipped with all components necessary for operation independent of external gear, making them suited for luminaire integration or standalone deployment.

The standard covers construction methods, insulation resistance (with specific attention to testing at elevated humidity), marking, mechanical protection, and fire safety. This edition brings the requirements into line with current global best practices, promoting electrical safety and reliability for advanced lighting—an essential consideration as OLED technologies proliferate in commercial and residential applications.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive safety prescriptions for integrated, high-voltage OLED modules
• Insulation, corrosion, and fire resistance requirements harmonized with international standards
• Amended in 2025 to further align test protocols and product documentation

Access the full standard:View IEC 62868-2-2:2020 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

The standards landscape in May 2025 for Electrical Engineering was marked by:

• Stronger environmental metrics: Standards for luminaires (IEC PAS 63629:2025) reveal sustained regulatory pressure and market demand for environmental declarations rooted in lifecycle assessment.
• Asset lifecycle and reliability: The progression of asset management guidance (IEC TS 63224:2025) aligns Electrical Engineering with international asset management systems (ISO 55001), reflecting the complex demands of next-generation power networks and grid modernization initiatives.
• Modernization of legacy practices: The move toward synthetic organic esters (IEC 61203:2025) and their robust monitoring frameworks signals a broader transition to more sustainable insulating and cooling fluids—an important driver for utilities and original equipment manufacturers.
• OLED safety as mainstream expectation: The update of safety requirements for both semi-integrated and integrated OLED modules (IEC 62868-2-1 and 2-2) demonstrates the sector’s response to rapid adoption of new solid-state lighting technologies across a range of voltage and installation settings.

Thematically, the month's standards collectively pivot toward a future where safety, sustainability, and digital asset intelligence converge—positioning organizations that adopt these documents for regulatory and market advantage.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations in the Electrical Engineering sector, alignment with these May 2025 standards requires focused action:

• Luminaires: Ensure all Product Environmental Profiles leverage the IEC PAS 63629 rules. Environmental and product managers should initiate training and invest in LCA data collection for products headed to market where EPDs are required.
• Synthetic Organic Esters: Utilities and maintenance providers must overhaul diagnostics, sampling, and testing schedules in light of the restructured requirements in IEC 61203, especially where aging fleets are being retrofitted or upgraded.
• Network Asset Management: Asset managers should assess current documentation, policies, and system boundaries against IEC TS 63224 to ensure their operations align with emerging best practices for networked infrastructure.
• OLED Modules: Manufacturers and integrators must update safety documentation and testing protocols to the most current requirements—particularly where products cross international boundaries or serve critical infrastructure.

Recommended steps:

1. Review organizational inventories for affected product lines or equipment
2. Update internal training and audit procedures
3. Prepare for external certification or declaration processes
4. Monitor for further amendments or technical corrigenda
5. Leverage iTeh Standards’ catalog and tools for streamlined access to reference material

Organizations should note that some standards are amendments or PAS documents; harmonization with national or regional regulations may be necessary, especially for safety-critical applications.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025 brought a meaningful mix of standards that support the Electrical Engineering sector’s pursuit of safer, more sustainable, and better-managed systems. The environmental impact of luminaires, best practices in insulating fluids, advanced asset management guidance, and extensive updates to OLED safety requirements all point to a sector balancing rapid technological change against the need for regulatory clarity and operational excellence.

Professionals are encouraged to review these standards in detail and assess their implications within existing compliance frameworks. Staying current—using resources such as iTeh Standards—remains critical for maintaining both market access and operational integrity in an increasingly complex global standards landscape.

For more in-depth guidance on these and additional standards from May 2025, continue to explore the iTeh Standards platform and leverage its searchable database and support resources.