What’s New in the Sixth Edition of CSA SPE-1000

19 Dec 2025

Key Updates Aim to Improve Clarity, Safety Alignment, and Usability

As electrical technologies evolve, so must the frameworks that ensure they can be used safely. For manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of electrical equipment in Canada, staying ahead of regulatory change isn’t just about compliance, it’s about keeping projects moving, avoiding costly delays, and enabling innovation to reach the market.

One of the key standards in this space is CSA SPE-1000, the Model Code for the Field Evaluation of Electrical Equipment. This Model Code enables field evaluation or special inspections of electrical products when full certification isn’t practical or available, and it’s widely used in Canada to ensure electrical safety in custom, low-volume, or uniquely engineered equipment.

In December 2025, CSA Group published the sixth edition of SPE-1000 — CSA SPE-1000:25 — introducing updates that reflect how electrical equipment is being designed, installed, and used today. These changes have direct implications for how field evaluations are conducted, and how quickly equipment can be approved by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).

The Role of SPE-1000 in Today’s Electrical Landscape

The SPE-1000 Model Code outlines minimum construction, marking, and testing requirements for electrical equipment evaluated in the field by an accredited inspection body. Its purpose is to ensure a consistent level of electrical safety for products that cannot easily undergo full certification, such as custom builds, prototypes, or limited production runs.

Field evaluation under SPE-1000 is not a substitute for full certification — but it does provide a recognized pathway for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to approve equipment for installation and use in Canada when regular certification isn’t feasible.

Key Changes in the Sixth Edition (CSA SPE-1000:25)

The newest edition of the SPE-1000 Model Code brings several noteworthy enhancements designed to improve clarity, safety alignment, and usability for field evaluators and manufacturers alike. Major changes include:

Expanded and Updated Requirements

New sections address field evaluation criteria for:
• Commercial equipment with UV-C sources
• Industrial ozone generators
• Power over Ethernet technologies

These additions reflect evolving technologies and safety considerations in modern electrical systems.

Strain Relief & Mounting Tests

Updated requirements now include strain relief and wall/ceiling mounting tests to better align with real-world installation and mechanical safety expectations.

Code Alignment & Definitions

Rather than duplicating definitions from the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), the new edition now references the CEC directly for terms and definitions — a change that improves consistency and reduces redundancy.

Better Structure and Organization

Many clauses have been rearranged into more logical sequences, making the Code easier to navigate for inspectors and manufacturers.

Why These Updates Matter

For manufacturers, distributors, and OEMs exporting or supplying electrical equipment to the Canadian market, these SPE-1000 updates may impact how products are evaluated in the field. A solid understanding of the updated requirements can help ensure equipment:

• Meets minimum safety expectations
• Can be successfully field-evaluated and labeled
• Avoids delays at installation sites and with AHJs

Most importantly, SPE-1000 continues to offer a practical compliance pathway when full certification isn’t feasible, especially for custom builds, prototypes, or limited quantities.

As electrical equipment becomes more specialized and project timelines more compressed, staying informed on updates like CSA SPE-1000:25 is critical to achieve compliance. It’s a key part of planning, designing, and delivering equipment that’s ready for the Canadian market.

Intertek & SPE-1000: Supporting Your Compliance

Intertek’s field inspection services help bridge the gap between product readiness and regulatory acceptance in Canada. Our special inspection and field evaluation capabilities to SPE-1000 deliver expert on-site evaluation, rapid turnaround, and clear documentation that AHJs trust, helping keep your projects on schedule and compliant.

Whether you’re adapting to the latest SPE-1000:25 requirements or exploring options for field evaluation, Intertek is here to support your success.