Electrical safety · UK & EU markets
LVD Testing & Electrical Safety for UK and EU Markets
Assess your product for electric shock, overheating and fire risks. ConformTest helps define the appropriate electrical safety test scope and provides clear reporting for the work agreed.
- UK (Great Britain): Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
- EU: Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
Product-specific testing
Electrical Safety Tests for Your Product
The product standard, construction and intended use determine the checks required. These are typical assessments, not a checklist that applies to every product; availability and test conditions are confirmed in your quotation.
Protective bonding continuity
Checks the continuity of protective earth connections to accessible conductive parts.
Insulation resistance
Assesses insulation between specified circuits and accessible conductive parts.
Dielectric strength
Checks whether insulation withstands the test voltage specified by the applicable standard.
Leakage and touch current
Measures relevant currents associated with parts a user could touch under the specified conditions.
Temperature rise
Assesses heating of components and accessible surfaces during defined operating conditions.
Abnormal operation
Assesses safety under fault and unusual operating conditions relevant to the product.
Access to live parts
Checks whether hazardous live parts can be reached using the appropriate test probes.
Creepage distances and clearances
Checks the surface and air distances needed to maintain electrical insulation.
Supporting checks: visual construction inspection, critical component suitability, product labels, safety warnings and instructions for use.
Which Safety Standard Applies to Your Product?
Use these examples as a starting point. We review your product and confirm the service we can provide before agreeing the work.
| Product family | Typical examples | Standard family |
|---|---|---|
| Household and similar appliances | Kettles; vacuum cleaners | EN 60335-1 with the relevant EN 60335-2-x part |
| Luminaires | Ceiling luminaires; table lamps | EN IEC 60598-1 with the relevant 60598-2-x part |
| Audio, video and IT equipment | Audio amplifiers; computer monitors | EN / EN IEC 62368-1 |
| Measurement, control and laboratory equipment | Bench multimeters; laboratory ovens | EN 61010-1 with applicable particular parts |
| Transformers and power supplies within scope | Isolating transformers; transformer-based power supply units | EN IEC 61558-1 with the relevant particular part |
| Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies | Power distribution assemblies; distribution boards | EN / EN IEC 61439-1 with the assembly-specific part |
These are standard families, not a claim that every edition is harmonised or designated. Selection includes the relevant edition, amendments, particular parts and any restrictions or withdrawal dates. UK adoptions use BS EN or BS EN IEC references; a newer IEC or BS publication does not automatically have EU harmonised or GB designated status.
Official lists: EU harmonised standards · GB designated standards
What You Receive
- An agreed test scope and applicable standards.
- A report covering the testing or review performed.
- Identified non-conformities and recommended corrective actions.
- Clear next steps for your electrical safety evidence.
The report identifies the sample, conditions and exclusions. It supports your technical file; it is not the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity.
Already Have a Test Report?
We can review its model and variant coverage, standard edition, product changes and missing tests. The review identifies evidence you can use and any further checks needed.
From Product Details to Test Evidence
Product details
Share the model, supply rating, intended use and target market.
Scope and quotation
Agree the standards, tests, deliverables and arrangements.
Testing
Complete the agreed checks on the specified product.
Results and next steps
Review findings, corrections and any further evidence needed.
Your quotation confirms who will perform the work, where testing will take place, sample requirements and the schedule.
Technical Documentation for Electrical Safety
- Product, model and variant details.
- Electrical diagrams and critical component information.
- Risk assessment.
- Applicable standards and test reports.
- Labels, safety warnings and instructions for use.
- The relevant declaration of conformity.
You do not need every document ready to request a quote. Start with a short description of your product and the market you intend to supply.
Electrical Safety Requirements: EU, Great Britain and Northern Ireland
European Union
Directive 2014/35/EU covers eligible equipment designed for 50–1000 V AC or 75–1500 V DC, subject to its scope and exclusions. It does not require a notified body certificate: conformity assessment and the declaration remain the manufacturer’s responsibility.
Great Britain
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 apply. CE marking continues to be recognised for electrical equipment meeting the relevant conditions; UKCA remains an alternative route.
Northern Ireland
The applicable EU electrical product rules and CE route apply. UKCA marking alone is not sufficient for placing a product on the Northern Ireland market.
LVD self-declaration uses CE. UKNI accompanies CE only when a UK-based Northern Ireland notified body performs mandatory third-party assessment under other applicable product rules.
Machinery: electrical hazards are assessed against LVD safety objectives within the machinery conformity process. A machine does not require a separate LVD declaration simply because it is electrically powered. Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 generally applies from 20 January 2027; see Machinery Compliance.
Low-voltage and radio products: a 12 V or 24 V supply does not remove safety obligations. For products within the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU), the LVD safety objectives apply through RED without a lower voltage limit.
Official guidance: EU LVD · Great Britain · Northern Ireland · Radio Equipment Directive
Other requirements may apply alongside electrical safety. Explore EMC Testing, CE Marking and UKCA Marking for related support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my product fall within the LVD?
Scope depends on the product’s rated voltage, intended use and exclusions. Eligible equipment designed for 50–1000 V AC or 75–1500 V DC falls within the EU LVD; other legislation may cover products outside these limits.
Which electrical safety tests will my product need?
The relevant product standard, construction, insulation class and operating conditions determine the test scope. We confirm the applicable checks and exclusions in the quotation.
Can an existing test report be used?
Potentially. We check model and variant coverage, the standard edition, changes to the product and any missing tests before identifying what evidence can be used.
How is machinery electrical safety assessed?
EN 60204-1 supports assessment of a machine’s electrical equipment within the machinery conformity process. It does not replace the machine’s wider risk assessment or other applicable requirements.
Do 12 V, 24 V or wireless products need safety assessment?
They can still have safety obligations. Radio products within RED must meet the relevant safety objectives without a lower voltage limit; the correct route depends on the complete product.
What affects the price and timescale?
Product complexity, the applicable standard, test scope, existing evidence, sample availability and any corrective work affect cost and timing. These are confirmed after the initial review.
Tell us about your product
Request Your LVD Testing Quote
Briefly describe your product and target market. Include its supply rating and any existing reports, if available, so we can define the appropriate scope.
Request LVD TestingEmail: info@conformtest.comTelephone: +44 7760 682877