IEC PAS 63313-2021 PDF

Full title and description

IEC/PAS 63313:2021 — Position statement on germicidal UV‑C irradiation — UV‑C safety guidelines. This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) provides safety advice for UV‑C sources and UV‑C products that emit in the germicidal spectral band and offers interim, practical guidance for manufacturers, test laboratories and safety professionals.

Abstract

IEC/PAS 63313:2021 summarizes safety guidance for devices and products that emit ultraviolet‑C (UV‑C) radiation, principally in the wavelength range ~180 nm to 280 nm. It addresses photobiological hazards, recommended safety measures, labelling and risk management considerations for UV‑C products but is explicit about exclusions (for example, products already covered by dedicated product safety standards). The PAS was published as an interim measure to provide practical safety guidance while a full IEC safety standard was developed.

General information

• Status: Current (IEC Publicly Available Specification).
• Publication date: 2021 (May 2021 / edition published in 2021).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) — published as a PAS.
• ICS / categories: 29.140.01 (Lamps: general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2021).
• Number of pages: 16 pages in the IEC base publication (some national/adopted versions or publisher‑formatted copies report slightly different page counts).

Scope

This PAS provides safety advice applicable to UV‑C sources and UV‑C products that emit in the approximately 180 nm to 280 nm wavelength band. It gives guidance on photobiological exposure risks, recommended control measures (engineering, administrative and PPE), labelling and user information. The document explicitly excludes devices already covered by their own product safety standards (for example IEC 60335‑2‑109 for UV‑C water disinfection equipment and IEC 60335‑2‑65 for UV‑C air disinfection equipment), application‑specific environments, products combining UV‑C with chemicals/additives, products that do not emit UV‑C (e.g., UV‑A/B), and requirements for product performance or material degradation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the UV‑C spectral range addressed (approx. 180 nm – 280 nm) and the intended product scope.
• Summary of photobiological hazards from UV‑C exposure (eye and skin effects) and reference to photobiological assessment frameworks.
• Practical safety measures: engineering controls, interlocks, shielding, presence/absence sensors and administrative controls to prevent unintended exposure.
• Labelling, instructions for use, warnings and user information tailored to UV‑C risk groups and intended application.
• Notes on measurement and evaluation of irradiance levels, and on considering secondary effects (for example ozone generation) where relevant.
• Explicit exclusions and cross‑references to product‑specific safety standards (e.g., IEC 60335 family) and to photobiological standards such as IEC 62471.

Typical use and users

IEC/PAS 63313:2021 is intended for manufacturers and designers of UV‑C sources and fixtures, conformity assessment and test laboratories, safety and compliance engineers, regulatory affairs specialists, facility managers specifying UV‑C equipment, and occupational health professionals. It is useful as interim guidance when developing or assessing germicidal UV‑C products, especially where no dedicated product standard yet applies. The PAS was produced to support rapid but safe deployment of UV‑C technologies (notably during the COVID‑19 pandemic) while more comprehensive standards work continued.

Related standards

Key related documents and standards to consult alongside IEC/PAS 63313: IEC 62471 (photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems / UV risk classification); IEC 60335‑2‑109 and IEC 60335‑2‑65 (product safety standards for certain UV‑C water and air disinfection appliances — these are explicitly excluded from the PAS scope); ISO 15858 (safety requirements and permissible human exposure for UV‑C devices); and occupational exposure guidance such as ACGIH TLVs. Users should refer to the appropriate product‑specific standard where applicable.

Keywords

UV‑C, germicidal, ultraviolet, safety guidelines, photobiological risk, IEC PAS 63313, exposure limits, labelling, disinfection devices.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/PAS 63313:2021 is a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) published by the IEC that provides a position statement and practical safety guidance for germicidal UV‑C irradiation and UV‑C emitting products.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers safety advice for UV‑C sources and products emitting approximately 180–280 nm, addressing photobiological hazards, safety controls, labelling and user information. It does not set product performance requirements and excludes devices already covered by their own product safety standards.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test and conformity assessment labs, safety and compliance engineers, procurement and facility managers, and occupational health professionals who design, evaluate or specify UV‑C equipment.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published in 2021 the PAS serves as current interim guidance; IEC lists the PAS publication and indicates stability through the mid‑2020s as an interim document. Users should check for any subsequent full IEC standards or national adoptions that may update or replace the PAS.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: This PAS is an IEC interim publication addressing UV‑C safety and may inform future IEC/TC 34 projects or full standards; it cross‑references other established standards (for example IEC 62471 and relevant IEC 60335 parts) rather than forming a numbered multipart series itself.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: UV‑C, germicidal, photobiological safety, exposure limits, labelling, risk management, IEC PAS 63313:2021.