Explanation of technical standards for safety regulations

This is an explanation of the technical standards for safety regulations in AC adapters and switching power supplies. We have also described the relationship between the intended use of the products you inquire about and the relevant safety standards, so please take a look.

Explanation of Technical Standards for Safety Regulations

Proposing Optimal Solutions Based on Product Applications

First of all, when we receive inquiries regarding adapters, we often get questions like the following:

“Do you have an adapter rated at ◯V◯A that is certified with UL, CE, or PSE?”

When we receive such inquiries, we always confirm the “product application” with the customer. This time, we would like to explain the reasons behind this.


AC adapters are subject to legal safety regulations worldwide. However, safety standards are based on the “product application,” and the required technical standards for an adapter will vary depending on the equipment it is bundled with.


Even if someone simply says “UL” or “CE,” the specific technical standard required depends on the “product application.”

The Destination Country of the Product Affects the Options


For example, if you plan to sell communication or AV equipment bundled with an adapter in the United States, Europe, or Japan, the applicable technical standards for the adapter would likely be as listed below.

ApplicationIEC International StandardUnited StatesEuropeJapan
Communication EquipmentIEC60950UL60950EN60950PSE Appendix 12 J60950 or PSE Appendix 8
AV EquipmentIEC60065UL60065EN60065PSE Appendix 12 J60065 or PSE Appendix 8

If a product is shipped according to different technical standards, it may violate the safety regulations of the respective country or region.

*As of December 2020, EN60950-1 and EN60065 have been abolished

Points Beyond Safety Regulations Must Also Be Noted

In addition to safety regulations, some countries have separate energy efficiency regulations—such as DOE in the U.S.—and electromagnetic compatibility regulations, such as CISPR in Europe. The required standards and regulations for adapters differ depending on the country and region, and even within the same region, the measurement standards vary by device.


To provide the best possible proposal for our customers, we always confirm the intended use of the adapter for the reasons above.


In addition to the examples above, such as communication and AV equipment, we also have a lineup of products compatible with medical devices.

Of course, we also have extensive experience supporting household appliances, industrial equipment, HEMS, and IoT devices. Custom solutions are also available.


Please feel free to contact us whenever you are in need of an adapter.

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