On 2 May 2026, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published IEC 62368-3:2026, a new standard titled Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment — Safety — Part 3: Particular Requirements for Thermal Runaway Protection. This update introduces mandatory battery-module-level thermal propagation blocking tests for lithium-battery-equipped products—including projectors, video conferencing displays, and wireless earbud charging cases—supplementing existing UL/EN 62368-1 compliance. The standard becomes mandatory on 1 May 2027, though EU Notified Bodies have begun accepting pre-compliance submissions.

Event Overview

The IEC officially released IEC 62368-3:2026 on 2 May 2026. The standard specifies additional safety requirements focused exclusively on thermal runaway prevention for audio/video and ICT equipment containing lithium batteries. It mandates thermal diffusion interruption testing at the battery module level, building upon the foundational safety framework of UL/EN 62368-1. Enforcement begins 1 May 2027; however, EU Notified Bodies are currently accepting voluntary submissions for assessment ahead of the deadline.

Industries Affected

Direct Exporters of Audio/Video Equipment

Exporters shipping projectors, conference displays, or wireless earbud charging cases to markets recognizing IEC standards—including the EU, UK, Canada, and parts of Southeast Asia—will face updated conformity assessment requirements. Compliance with IEC 62368-3:2026 will be necessary for CE marking and other regulatory clearances where harmonized standards apply.

Contract Manufacturers and OEMs

Manufacturers producing battery-integrated devices under private label or OEM arrangements must integrate new thermal barrier design features and validate them per the test methodology in IEC 62368-3:2026. This affects product development timelines, BOM selection, and factory-level quality control protocols.

Battery Module Suppliers

Suppliers of lithium-ion battery modules—including pack integrators and cell-to-pack solution providers—must ensure their modules meet the thermal diffusion resistance criteria defined in the standard. Product documentation, test reports, and traceability data may need updating to support downstream certification.

Supply Chain and Certification Service Providers

Third-party testing labs, certification consultants, and logistics partners supporting export compliance must align internal procedures with the new test scope. This includes updating test plans, training technical staff on thermal propagation test setups, and verifying alignment with EU NB expectations for early submissions.

Key Considerations and Recommended Actions

Monitor official implementation guidance from national standards bodies

While IEC 62368-3:2026 is published, adoption into national or regional regulatory frameworks—such as the EU’s Official Journal of the European Union—remains pending. Companies should track updates from CENELEC, ANSI, SAC, and other national committees to confirm alignment status and transitional provisions.

Prioritize high-volume, high-risk product categories for early validation

Projectors and video conferencing displays often contain larger-format lithium battery packs with higher thermal energy density. These categories are more likely to face scrutiny during initial NB assessments. Firms should identify such models and initiate thermal diffusion testing before Q4 2026 to avoid delays near the 2027 deadline.

Distinguish between policy signal and enforceable requirement

Although EU Notified Bodies accept early submissions, this does not constitute formal recognition of IEC 62368-3:2026 as a harmonized standard under the EU Low Voltage Directive. Analysis shows that current acceptance reflects procedural flexibility—not legal obligation—so companies should treat pre-submissions as risk-mitigation steps, not compliance substitutes.

Update supplier communication and procurement specifications

Manufacturers should revise technical purchase specifications for battery modules to reference IEC 62368-3:2026 test conditions (e.g., thermal propagation blocking performance under specified fault scenarios). Internal engineering reviews and supplier audits should include verification of relevant test reports and design documentation.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, IEC 62368-3:2026 represents a targeted technical escalation—not a broad regulatory overhaul—in response to evolving battery safety expectations. Its narrow scope (limited to thermal diffusion blocking for specific end-use devices) suggests it functions primarily as a signal of tightening risk-based oversight for lithium battery integration in consumer electronics. From an industry perspective, the early NB acceptance indicates readiness among conformity assessment infrastructure, but does not imply accelerated enforcement timelines. Current implementation remains phased and conditional; sustained attention is warranted as national transposition processes unfold over the next 12–18 months.

Conclusion

IEC 62368-3:2026 marks a discrete but consequential step in the standardization of lithium battery safety for audio/video and ICT equipment. Its significance lies not in immediate disruption, but in clarifying a new technical expectation—thermal diffusion control at the module level—that will shape design, sourcing, and certification practices across global supply chains. For now, it is best understood as an advance notice requiring structured preparation—not an operational emergency demanding reactive overhaul.

Information Sources

• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) – Official publication record for IEC 62368-3:2026, dated 2 May 2026
• Public statements from selected EU Notified Bodies confirming early submission acceptance (as of May 2026)
• Note: Harmonization status under EU legislation, national adoptions by SAC (China), and timeline adjustments remain under observation and are not yet confirmed.