IP68/IP69 Certification: what it is, how it works and what it does

The IP68/IP69 certification is a standardized designation that describes the degree of protection a device offers against the ingress of solid particles and water. It is expressed using the Ingress Protection (IP) code followed by two digits: the first indicates protection against solids and the second, protection against liquids.

Principles and code structure

The IP system is structured around two numeric positions:

• First digit (6): indicates the device is dust tight, meaning it is fully sealed against the entry of dust. No particle accumulation occurs that would affect operation.
• Second digit (8 or 9): specifies the level of water resistance. Level 8 corresponds to continuous immersion up to 2 metres in depth for 30 minutes. Level 9 corresponds to resistance to high-pressure water jets at close range.

A device may carry both designations simultaneously, as in IP68/IP69, meaning it passes both the immersion test of level 8 and the high-pressure jet test of level 9.

Applications

This certification is common in consumer electronics, particularly mobile phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and outdoor equipment. Its presence indicates that the manufacturer has subjected the product to standardized sealing tests and that the results meet the thresholds defined for levels 6, 8, and 9.

Scope

The certification covers exclusively resistance to the ingress of dust and water under the specified test conditions. It does not guarantee:

• Resistance to immersion in salt water, detergents, or other chemicals.
• Protection against drops, impacts, or prolonged hydrostatic pressure.
• Waterproofing under real-world conditions different from the laboratory.

Limitations

The IP68 value refers to a controlled test (2 m, 30 min, fresh water at ambient temperature). The IP69 value refers to high-pressure jets, typically used in industrial cleaning. Neither implies that the device is submersible indefinitely or in any liquid medium. Furthermore, the certification may be voided after unauthorized repairs or the wear of sealing gaskets.

Interpretation in a product

When a manufacturer declares IP68/IP69 in the technical specifications, it indicates that the device body has been certified under the standards corresponding to both water-protection levels, combined with full dust-tight sealing (level 6). The mention of certification implies that a testing body or procedure has verified compliance, not merely a manufacturer's claim.

In summary, IP68/IP69 is the combination of the highest solid and liquid protection levels within the IP system, and its presence in a product signals a high degree of verified sealing.