IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 for Printers, Scanners, and Multifunction Devices

Printers, scanners, photocopiers, and multifunction printers (MFPs) were registered under IS 13252 and must migrate to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 by November 2028. This guide covers the specific safety areas for imaging products.

Products Covered

• Inkjet printers (home, office, photo, wide-format)
• Laser printers (monochrome and colour)
• Multifunction printers (print/scan/copy/fax)
• Flatbed and document scanners
• Label printers and barcode printers
• 3D printers (filament, resin)

Key Safety Areas for Printers

Laser Printer Fuser Safety

Laser printers use a fuser assembly that melts toner onto paper — fuser temperatures of 160-200°C are typical. This is one of the hottest accessible components in any office product. IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 evaluates:

• External surface temperatures — covers and panels over the fuser must not create burn hazard when touched
• Paper jam clearance — when users reach inside to clear a paper jam, contact with the fuser must be prevented by design
• Fuser motor thermal protection — if the fuser roller jams, the motor must not overheat

High-Voltage Corona Wire / Charge Roller

Laser printers use high voltage (600-6,000V) for the electrostatic printing process — corona wire charging, transfer roller, and developer bias. These high voltages are within the printer but must be isolated from accessible surfaces. IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 requires that HV components are PS3 safeguarded from user access.

UV Lamp Safety (Certain Scanners)

Some older flatbed scanners and photocopiers use fluorescent lamps containing low levels of mercury. Lamp integrity and containment are evaluated. LED-based scanning systems (now dominant) don't have this concern.

3D Printer Safety

FDM (filament) 3D printers have a heated bed (50-110°C) and hotend (180-300°C) — both accessible during normal operation. Resin 3D printers use UV LEDs for curing — UV optical safety classification required. Both types require careful thermal and optical safety evaluation under IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.

Toner Cartridge Safety

Toner cartridges are consumables — they contain fine powder that is an inhalation hazard if released. The cartridge design must prevent toner release during normal installation and removal. This is not directly a IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 issue but is relevant to product safety documentation.

Migration Timeline and Planning

IS 13252 → IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 migration deadline: November 2028. Printer manufacturers with large product portfolios should use the series model approach. Laser printers require particular attention to high-voltage circuit documentation. House of Testing handles IS 62368 printer and imaging product testing.