IEC TR 61592:2003

Household electrical appliances - Guidelines for consumer panel testing

Applies to panel testing household electrical appliances within the scope of IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household electrical appliances.

Gospodinjski električni aparati - Smernice za testiranje potrošniškega panela (IEC TR 61592:2003)

To tehnično poročilo se uporablja za preskuse panela električnih gospodinjskih aparatov v okviru tehničnega odbora IEC 59: Delovanje električnih gospodinjskih aparatov.
OPOMBA: Določbe tega standarda je mogoče uporabiti tudi za ocenjevanje drugih vrst proizvodov.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 15-May-2003
• ICS: 97.020 - Home economics in general
• ICS: 97.030 - Domestic electrical appliances in general
• Technical Committee: TC 59 - Performance of household and similar electrical appliances
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 16-May-2003
• Completion Date: 15-May-2003
• Ref Project: SIST-TP IEC TR 61592:2024 - Household electrical appliances - Guidelines for consumer panel testing (IEC TR 61592:2003)

Overview

IEC TR 61592:2003 - “Household electrical appliances – Guidelines for consumer panel testing” is a Technical Report from IEC TC 59 that provides guidance on designing, conducting and reporting consumer (panel) tests for household electrical appliances. The report explains when panel testing is appropriate, how to select and train panel members, and how to collect and present results so they meaningfully complement technical measurements and Standard Methods of Measuring Performance (SMMP).

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Applies to panel testing of household electrical appliances within IEC TC 59 (performance of household appliances). Panel testing is recommended where human perception, handling, instructions or overall performance must be assessed.
• Panel leadership: A qualified panel leader must plan the test, select members, arrange training (when needed) and define evaluation and statistical methods. The leader should not be involved in product design or marketing.
• Panel composition: Select panel members to represent intended users (age, sex, physical ability, disabilities, handedness, experience, education, language). Experts or trained sensory panels are allowed for specialized evaluations.
• Testing principles: Define test conditions (environment, settings, laboratory vs household) and record them. Limit sample numbers per subject to avoid fatigue. Allow familiarization with products and instructions while ensuring equal opportunity.
• Questionnaire & scoring: Use neutral, user‑worded questions; pre-test questionnaires. Recommended scoring scales normally between 5 and 10 classes, with an odd-numbered scale to provide a midpoint. Combine items where sensible and include an overall global rating.
• Evaluation & reporting: Use predetermined statistical methods; report only statistically significant differences or otherwise justify deviations. Required reporting elements include aim, panel size/characteristics, statistical approach, test environment, instructions given, test duration, and data collection methods.
• Ethics & limitations: Address ethics, bias avoidance and practical limitations of panel testing (snapshot nature, need for reference samples for comparisons).

Practical applications - who uses it

• Product manufacturers and designers (usability, ergonomics, instruction clarity)
• Testing laboratories and consumer test organizations (comparative product testing)
• Standards developers and regulatory bodies (when human assessment complements SMMP)
• Ergonomists, human factors specialists and accessibility experts (older persons, disabled users)
• Marketing and R&D teams (real‑world performance, consumer acceptance)

Related standards

• ISO/IEC Guide 14, 37, 46 and 71 (product information, instructions, comparative testing, needs of older persons and persons with disabilities)
• Existing SMMPs referenced by IEC standards (use TR 61592 to integrate consumer panel results when required)

IEC TR 61592:2003 is a practical checklist for embedding robust, unbiased consumer panel testing into appliance performance evaluation and standards work.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2024
Gospodinjski električni aparati - Smernice za testiranje potrošniškega panela (IEC
TR 61592:2003)
Household electrical appliances - Guidelines for consumer panel testing (IEC TR
61592:2003)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: IEC TR 61592:2003
ICS:
97.030 Električni aparati za dom na Domestic electrical
splošno appliances in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL IEC
REPORT
TR 61592
Second edition
2003-05
Household electrical appliances –
Guidelines for consumer panel testing
Appareils électrodomestiques –
Guide pour les essais avec utilisateurs
 IEC 2003  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: [phone] Telefax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]  Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
M
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION .5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Definitions . 6
4 Criteria . 6
4.1 Purpose of panel testing . 6
4.2 Panel testing leadership . 7
4.3 Characteristics of the panel . 7
5 Testing principles.8
6 Questionnaire and scoring system . 8
7 Evaluation and presentation of the test results. 9
8 Connection with existing related guidelines or SMMP (Standard Methods of
Measuring Performance). 9
9 Panel testing ethics .10
10 Panel testing limitations.10
Annex A (informative)  Example of aspects that can be evaluated by panel testing .11
Bibliography.12

TR 61592  IEC:2003(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PANEL TESTING
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the
two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this technical report may be the subject of
patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However,
a technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard,
for example “state of the art”.
IEC 61592, which is a technical report, has been prepared by IEC technical committee 59:
Performance of household electrical appliances.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1996. It constitutes
a revision mainly concerning ease of handling and needs of older persons and people
with disabilities (ISO/IEC Guide 71).
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
59/294/DTR 59/321/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

– 4 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until 2006.
At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
TR 61592  IEC:2003(E) – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
Panel testing can be an important tool both for overall as well as partial evaluation of
products, since the results directly reflect practical aspects which are of interest to the user.
Panel testing should be used to complement technical tests and physical measurements,
if any, which are often more abstract for the consumer.
In general, panel testing can be used when
– technical tests are not considered sufficiently;
– an assessment of overall performance is needed;
– characteristics requiring a degree of human involvement have to be evaluated (e.g.
handling, cleaning, ergonomic, instructions for use).
These guidelines are to be used as a checklist in determining when and how to apply panel
testing and how to avoid the most obvious pitfalls.
Panel testing generally gives information at the time of the test. Comparison is possible with
previous or parallel tests only when at least a reference sample and a particular methodology
are used.
– 6 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PANEL TESTING
1 Scope
This Technical Report applies to panel testing of household electrical appliances within the
scope of IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household electrical appliances.
NOTE The provisions in this Standard can also be used to evaluate other kind of products.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC Guide 14, Product information for consumers
ISO/IEC Guide 37, Instructions for use of products of consumer interest
ISO/IEC Guide 46, Comparative testing of consumer products and related services – General
principles
ISO/IEC Guide 71, Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons
and persons with disabilities
ISO 8317, Child-resistant packaging – Requirements and testing procedures for reclosable
packages
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definition applies:
3.1
panel testing
method of assessing aspects of a product, by means of a selected group of people who are
asked to evaluate selected or overall aspects of the product
NOTE 1 Examples of such aspects are: function(s), handling, noise, cleaning and instructions for use.
NOTE 2 A list of aspects that can be evaluated by panel testing is given for information in Annex A.
4 Criteria
4.1 Purpose of panel testing
Panel testing is easier when the panel can compare products. In any case, the purpose of the
type of panel test to be performed (comparative testing, evaluation of only one product type,
evaluation of experimental designs, etc.) and the statistical method to be used have to be
stated before starting any panel testing.
For reasons of continuity, to allow a better evaluation of the evolution of products, it may be
useful to include as reference for the actual panel testing products tested by a previous panel.

TR 61592  IEC:2003(E) – 7 –
Since panel testing can b
...

TECHNICAL IEC
REPORT
TR 61592
Second edition
2003-05
Household electrical appliances –
Guidelines for consumer panel testing
Appareils électrodomestiques –
Guide pour les essais avec utilisateurs
Reference number
IEC/TR 61592:2003(E)
Publication numbering
As from 1 January 1997 all IEC publications are issued with a designation in the
60000 series. For example, IEC 34-1 is now referred to as IEC 60034-1.
Consolidated editions
The IEC is now publishing consolidated versions of its publications. For example,
edition numbers 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 refer, respectively, to the base publication, the
base publication incorporating amendment 1 and the base publication incorporating
amendments 1 and 2.
Further information on IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC,
thus ensuring that the content reflects current technology. Information relating to
this publication, including its validity, is available in the IEC Catalogue of
publications (see below) in addition to new editions, amendments and corrigenda.
Information on the subjects under consideration and work in progress undertaken
by the technical committee which has prepared this publication, as well as the list
of publications issued, is also available from the following:
• IEC Web Site (www.iec.ch)
• Catalogue of IEC publications
The on-line catalogue on the IEC web site (http://www.iec.ch/searchpub/cur_fut.htm)
enables you to search by a variety of criteria including text searches, technical
committees and date of publication. On-line information is also available on
recently issued publications, withdrawn and replaced publications, as well as
corrigenda.
• IEC Just Published
This summary of recently issued publications (http://www.iec.ch/online_news/
justpub/jp_entry.htm) is also available by email. Please contact the Customer
Service Centre (see below) for further information.
• Customer Service Centre
If you have any questions regarding this publication or need further assistance,
please contact the Customer Service Centre:
Email: [e-mail]
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
TECHNICAL IEC
REPORT
TR 61592
Second edition
2003-05
Household electrical appliances –
Guidelines for consumer panel testing
Appareils électrodomestiques –
Guide pour les essais avec utilisateurs
 IEC 2003  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: [phone] Telefax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]  Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
M
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION .5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references. 6
3 Definitions . 6
4 Criteria . 6
4.1 Purpose of panel testing . 6
4.2 Panel testing leadership . 7
4.3 Characteristics of the panel . 7
5 Testing principles.8
6 Questionnaire and scoring system . 8
7 Evaluation and presentation of the test results. 9
8 Connection with existing related guidelines or SMMP (Standard Methods of
Measuring Performance). 9
9 Panel testing ethics .10
10 Panel testing limitations.10
Annex A (informative)  Example of aspects that can be evaluated by panel testing .11
Bibliography.12

TR 61592  IEC:2003(E) – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
___________
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PANEL TESTING
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the
two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an
international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation
from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this technical report may be the subject of
patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However,
a technical committee may propose the publication of a technical report when it has collected
data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard,
for example “state of the art”.
IEC 61592, which is a technical report, has been prepared by IEC technical committee 59:
Performance of household electrical appliances.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 1996. It constitutes
a revision mainly concerning ease of handling and needs of older persons and people
with disabilities (ISO/IEC Guide 71).
The text of this technical report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
59/294/DTR 59/321/RVC
Full information on the voting for the approval of this technical report can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

– 4 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until 2006.
At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
TR 61592  IEC:2003(E) – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
Panel testing can be an important tool both for overall as well as partial evaluation of
products, since the results directly reflect practical aspects which are of interest to the user.
Panel testing should be used to complement technical tests and physical measurements,
if any, which are often more abstract for the consumer.
In general, panel testing can be used when
– technical tests are not considered sufficiently;
– an assessment of overall performance is needed;
– characteristics requiring a degree of human involvement have to be evaluated (e.g.
handling, cleaning, ergonomic, instructions for use).
These guidelines are to be used as a checklist in determining when and how to apply panel
testing and how to avoid the most obvious pitfalls.
Panel testing generally gives information at the time of the test. Comparison is possible with
previous or parallel tests only when at least a reference sample and a particular methodology
are used.
– 6 – TR 61592  IEC:2003(E)
HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER PANEL TESTING
1 Scope
This Technical Report applies to panel testing of household electrical appliances within the
scope of IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household electrical appliances.
NOTE The provisions in this Standard can also be used to evaluate other kind of products.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC Guide 14, Product information for consumers
ISO/IEC Guide 37, Instructions for use of products of consumer interest
ISO/IEC Guide 46, Comparative testing of consumer products and related services – General
principles
ISO/IEC Guide 71, Guidelines for standards developers to address the needs of older persons
and persons with disabilities
ISO 8317, Child-resistant packaging – Requirements and testing procedures for reclosable
packages
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definition applies:
3.1
panel testing
method of assessing aspects of a product, by means of a selected group of people who are
asked to evaluate selected or overall aspects of the product
NOTE 1 Examples of such aspects are: function(s), handling, noise, cleaning and instructions for use.
NOTE 2 A list of aspects that can be evaluated by panel testing is given for information in Annex A
...