Global Electrical Standards Finder
Trace the route from an international IEC product standard to its EN, UL, CSA or GB counterpart—and see the market-access evidence typically required.
IEC · EN · UL · CSA · GB
Build a market pathway
Choose the exact product family before comparing certification systems.
Orientation only. Final requirements depend on ratings, construction, end use, current editions and the responsible authority.
MCB for European Union
AC circuit-breakers for household and similar installations, generally up to 125 A. Industrial or higher-voltage applications may instead fall under IEC 60947-2.
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International foundationIEC 60898-1IEC product standard
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Target-market standardEN 60898-1EN adoption of IEC
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Market access routeCE markingEU Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; EMC and RoHS legislation may also apply.
Evidence pack to prepare
- Risk assessment
- Test reports
- Technical construction file
- EU Declaration of Conformity
- Ratings, markings and local-language instructions
One product name can lead to different compliance systems
IEC standards often form the international technical baseline. Europe commonly adopts them as EN standards, China as GB or GB/T standards, while the United States and Canada frequently use a separate UL/CSA framework. Similar function does not mean automatic equivalence.
IEC, EN, UL and GB product crosswalk
Base standard families for orientation. Confirm current editions, amendments and product-specific scope before testing or certification.
| Product | IEC foundation | European route | United States route | China route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCBMiniature Circuit Breaker | IEC 60898-1 | EN 60898-1 | UL 489 | GB/T 10963.1 |
| RCCBResidual Current Circuit Breaker | IEC 61008-1 | EN 61008-1 | UL 943 (GFCI function) | GB/T 16916.1 |
| RCBOResidual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection | IEC 61009-1 | EN 61009-1 | UL 489 + UL 943 (GFCI circuit breaker) | GB/T 16917.1 |
| MCCBMoulded Case Circuit Breaker | IEC 60947-2 | EN 60947-2 | UL 489 | GB/T 14048.2 |
| SPDSurge Protective Device | IEC 61643-11 | EN 61643-11 | UL 1449 | GB/T 18802.11 |
| PV SPDPhotovoltaic Surge Protective Device | IEC 61643-31 | EN 61643-31 | UL 1449 | GB/T 18802.31 |
| DC MCBDirect Current Miniature Circuit Breaker | IEC 60898-2 / IEC 60947-2 | EN 60898-2 / EN 60947-2 | UL 489 (DC rated) | GB/T 10963.2 / GB/T 14048.2 |
| DC IsolatorDC Switch-Disconnector | IEC 60947-3 | EN 60947-3 | UL 98 / UL 98B (PV) | GB/T 14048.3 |
| ContactorElectromechanical Contactor | IEC 60947-4-1 | EN 60947-4-1 | UL 60947-4-1 | GB/T 14048.4 |
| RelayElectromechanical Control Relay | IEC 61810-1 / IEC 60947-5-1 | EN 61810-1 / EN 60947-5-1 | UL 61810-1 / UL 60947-5-1 | GB/T 21711.1 / GB/T 14048.5 |
| Terminal BlockTerminal Block for Copper Conductors | IEC 60947-7-1 | EN 60947-7-1 | UL 1059 | GB/T 14048.7 |
| Distribution BoxDistribution Board / Consumer Unit | IEC 61439-3 + IEC 61439-1 | EN 61439-3 + EN 61439-1 | UL 67 / UL 50E | GB/T 7251.3 + GB/T 7251.1 |
Market-access systems covered
The finder separates national standards from certification and placing-on-market obligations.
European Union
EN adoption of IEC
United Kingdom
BS EN adoption
United States
ANSI/UL product safety
Canada
CSA / harmonized UL-CSA
China
GB / GB/T national standards
Australia / New Zealand
AS/NZS adoption of IEC
India
IS / IEC adoption
Brazil
ABNT NBR / IEC adoption
Saudi Arabia
SASO / IEC adoption
United Arab Emirates
UAE.S / IEC adoption
How to use this finder responsibly
A standard number is only the beginning of a compliance decision. The actual route changes with voltage, current, breaking capacity, use category, enclosure, installation system and whether the item is a component or complete assembly.
- Define the product.Fix ratings, construction, intended use and installation environment.
- Confirm the edition.Check current national adoption, amendments, deviations and transition dates.
- Confirm market access.Identify legislation, mandatory certification, local representative and labelling obligations.
- Build the evidence pack.Align test reports, critical components, drawings, risk assessment and production controls.
Standards and certification questions
Is an IEC certificate automatically accepted in every country?
No. IEC provides an international technical foundation, but national adoption, deviations, documentation and certification rules still apply.
Are IEC and UL standards equivalent?
Usually not. They can address similar functions while using different construction rules, ratings, tests, markings and installation assumptions.
Does CE marking mean a notified body certified the product?
Not necessarily. For many low-voltage products, the manufacturer carries out the applicable conformity process, prepares the technical file and declaration, and assumes responsibility for the CE marking.
Why can the application context change the standard?
A household MCB and an industrial circuit breaker may perform a related function but fall under different IEC standard families. DC and photovoltaic applications introduce further rating and switching requirements.
Primary reference authorities
- IEC Webstore — international product standards
- European Commission — Low Voltage Directive
- UL Solutions — product safety and certification
- OSHA — Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory program
- China National Standards information service
Last editorial review: August 2026. Always verify current official publications and regulations before placing a product on the market.
Planning one product for several markets?
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