EN 60598 LED Luminaire Safety Standard for Buyers

EN 60598 LED Luminaire Safety Standard for Buyers

Every LED luminaire placed on the European market must comply with the EN 60598 standard (PN-EN 60598 in its Polish harmonized form) — a body of electrical, mechanical and thermal safety requirements. Two parts of this standard are key for LED neons: the general requirements (part 1) and part 2-23 covering low-voltage luminaires powered by SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage). In this article we explain what exactly the standard regulates, why it matters to the buyer (not only the manufacturer), and how to recognise whether the neon offered actually meets it. Compliance with EN 60598 is the foundation of our 24-month warranty and a precondition for the validity of the CE declaration.

What is the EN 60598 standard

PN-EN 60598 is the Polish equivalent of the European standard EN 60598, which in turn harmonises the international IEC 60598. The standard defines safety requirements for lighting luminaires — that is, all devices that convert electrical energy into light and are intended for permanent or portable installation.

The standard has two levels:

• Part 1 (EN 60598-1) — general requirements, common to all luminaires
• Parts 2-x — detailed requirements for specific types of luminaires (fixed, portable, underwater, for illumination, etc.)

For LED neons, as luminaires powered with safe extra-low voltage (12-24 V DC), the relevant part is EN 60598-2-23 — dedicated to luminaires powered by SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage).

Part 1 — general requirements for every LED luminaire

Part 1 of the standard regulates the basic safety parameters that all lighting luminaires must meet, regardless of type. The most important areas are:

• Electrical insulation — dielectric strength at test voltage (typically 1500-4000 V AC depending on the protection class)
• Leakage resistance — minimum insulation resistance under normal operating conditions
• IP ingress protection rating — compliance with EN 60529 (see our article on IP65 vs IP67)
• Operating temperature — temperature limits for the enclosure, internal components, installation location
• Mechanical strength — impact resistance (IK0X), cable strain, fixings
• Thermal resistance — safe operation at extreme operating temperatures
• Marking construction — durability of labels carrying technical parameters

Part 2-23 — luminaires powered by SELV

SELV — Safety Extra Low Voltage — is a power-supply class in which voltage does not exceed 50 V AC or 120 V DC and is galvanically isolated from the 230 V mains. This is considered safe in direct human contact — hence the standard 12 V and 24 V used in LED neons.

Part 2-23 regulates the specifics of luminaires powered by SELV — those that have an external power supply (LED driver) converting 230 V AC to a safe DC voltage. Key requirements include:

• Galvanic separation from the mains — the driver must have an isolating transformer or an equivalent isolated circuit
• Maximum output voltage — 50 V DC under normal conditions, 120 V DC under impulse conditions
• Driver labelling — SELV symbol, technical data (output V, maximum A)
• Surge protection — protective circuits (varistor, TVS diode) in the driver
• Short-circuit current limiting — fuse or electronic current protection
• Cable construction — appropriate insulation, conductor cross-section matched to the declared current

Protection classes in EN 60598

All LED neons we manufacture at our Wrocław factory (ul. Działdowska 32) are designed as class III — with safe SELV power. This means the neon itself (the flexible tube, the LED modules) is galvanically isolated from the 230 V mains by a certified driver. This is a key safety element worth verifying before purchasing from any supplier.

Tests confirming EN 60598 compliance

For the manufacturer to declare compliance with EN 60598, the neon must pass a series of laboratory tests. The most important are:

1. Dielectric strength test — application of test voltage (typically 1500-2500 V AC for class III) between circuits in the driver
2. Insulation resistance test — measurement of resistance between supply conductors and the enclosure; minimum 2 MΩ
3. Operating temperature test — measurement of enclosure and internal component temperatures at maximum load; must not exceed component manufacturer limits
4. Mechanical strength test — Charpy hammer impact at defined energy (IK02 = 0.2 J, IK06 = 1 J, IK08 = 5 J)
5. Thermal cycling test — repeated switching on/off at maximum load, verification of fault-free operation
6. Humidity resistance test — 48 h in a climate chamber at 93% relative humidity

Testing is performed in accredited laboratories. Technical documentation (test reports) must be retained by the manufacturer for at least 10 years — market-surveillance authorities (in Poland: UOKiK, PIH; across the EU equivalent bodies) have the right of access.

What EN 60598 means for the buyer

Compliance with EN 60598 is not a “marketing sticker” — it is a legal obligation on the manufacturer stemming from the LVD Directive 2014/35/EU. For the buyer it means:

• User safety — the product will not cause electric shock under normal operation
• Fire safety — components will not ignite under normal or fault conditions
• Validity of insurance cover — in the event of a fire caused by the neon, the insurer verifies certificates
• Acceptance in regulated premises — neons in public spaces (restaurants, shops, offices) require conformity documentation
• Legal sale and installation — non-compliant products are subject to recall by market-surveillance authorities

How to verify a specific neon’s compliance

As a buyer, you have the right to demand from the manufacturer:

• EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) — a PDF document listing the reference standards, directives and product model
• Technical specification — with the IP rating, protection class and supply parameters detailed
• Test report numbers — laboratory reports (typically from TÜV, SGS, Intertek)
• Product labelling — CE marking, protection class, driver data, manufacturer identification

We make all these documents available on our certifications page — they can be downloaded and attached to facility documentation, for example for building control or trade inspection.

EN 60598 and other standards for LED neons

FAQ — EN 60598 in practice

Does every neon sold in the EU have to comply with EN 60598?

Yes, if it is classified as a lighting luminaire. The standard is harmonised with LVD Directive 2014/35/EU, which means meeting it is the basis for the presumption of conformity with the directive. Without EN 60598 compliance the manufacturer cannot legally apply the CE mark or sell the neon in the EU.

What if I bought a neon without a CE declaration?

First — demand the CE declaration from the seller. If they cannot provide it within 10 working days, you have the right to return the product (under warranty for non-conformity — a legal defect). In extreme cases you can file a complaint with UOKiK (Polish consumer authority) or your country’s equivalent market-surveillance body. In the event of fire or electric shock, the absence of a declaration seriously complicates the compensation process.

Does the driver supplied with the neon also fall under the standard?

Yes, and in addition the LED driver is subject to EN 61347 (lamp control gear) and EN 55015 (EMC). We use drivers certified across the full scope of these standards — technical details are in the product card of every neon. Low-quality drivers (without certification) can cause serious radio interference, Wi-Fi router failures nearby or rapid LED wear.

How long does EN 60598 remain in force?

The standard is actively developed — new editions are published every few years to reflect technological progress (e.g. new LED types, Wi-Fi controllers). Manufacturers typically have a 3-year transition period to adapt production to new requirements. All our products manufactured from 2024 onwards comply with the latest active edition of the standard.

Can I replace the driver myself with another, cheaper one?

Technically yes, but this voids the manufacturer’s warranty and transfers liability for standard compliance to whoever made the swap. If the replacement driver does not meet EN 61347, any resulting damage to the neon or installation (short circuit, overheating) is not eligible for warranty claims. Details are covered in the complaints procedure. In case of driver failure we recommend ordering an original replacement from us.

Does the standard also cover LED flicker?

Not directly, but the related EN 61000-3-3 standard covers voltage fluctuations and flicker. A good-quality LED neon should emit stable light without perceptible flicker — important both for visual comfort and health (flicker above 100 Hz can cause headaches in sensitive individuals). All our neons operate on DC, which eliminates the flicker problem typical of AC-driven systems.

Certified LED neon with a guarantee of compliance

When you choose a neon from our factory, you receive a product compliant with the full package of EN standards — from electrical safety (EN 60598-1, 60598-2-23), through IP rating (EN 60529), driver (EN 61347), to electromagnetic compatibility (EN 55015, EN 61000). We make all documents available on the certifications page.

We have been active since 1995 as OMINEO Group sp. z o.o. — manufacturing in Poland, at our own factory in Wrocław. More than 15,000 completed projects and a 5.0 rating from over 100 Google reviews prove that quality and standards compliance are our default, not the exception.

Design your neon in the online creator or use the tailor-made neon form. For larger orders please visit the B2B section. Contact: +48 731 08 00 00, bok@fabrykaneonow.pl. Standard lead time — 10 working days with full technical documentation included.