UL1703 / UL 61730 – PV Module Safety Standards Updates: Making the Transition

Global commerce depends upon the use of technically valid standards. Most manufacturers today do business across the globe and have their PV modules evaluated to multiple safety standards which is costly and in some cases results in duplication of effort.  When there is alignment in U.S. and international safety standards, opportunities to harmonize IEC and UL standards allow for a streamlined process for manufacturers reaching various markets. In December 2017, the PV module Safety Standard, UL 1703, was harmonized to the International Safety Standard for PV modules IEC 61730-1 and IEC 61730-2, resulting in the publication of UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2.

The standards contain U.S. national differences and comply with the National Electric Code. It also includes new and updated requirements to address innovation in component technology and materials. New PV module safety standards is more stringent than those for UL 1703 certified products and if a bill of material (BOM) change is in your future, retesting to UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2 may be required.

UL Solutions understands the impact of standard(s) changes on our customers’ business. New products are evaluated to UL 61730, and to ease the impact on our customers products previously certified to UL 1703 are permitted to bear the UL Mark until UL 1703 is withdrawn. However, if a critical component in the BOM is changed then a full evaluation to UL 61730-1 and UL 61730-2 may be required to continue to apply the UL Mark. A date has not yet been set for the withdrawal of UL 1703.