What is BS EN 61340-5-1 - Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena about?  
BS EN 61340-5-1 is an international standard that focuses on electrostatics and the protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena. The main objective of BS EN 61340-5-1 is to provide the administrative and technical requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an ESD control program.
BS EN 61340-5-1 applies to activities that: manufacture, process, assemble, install, package, label, service, test, inspect, transport, or otherwise handle electrical or electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment with withstand voltages greater than or equal to 100 V HBM,200 V CDM and 35 V for isolated conductors.
ESDS with lower withstand voltages may require additional control elements or adjusted limits. Processes designed to handle items that have lower ESD withstand voltage(s) can still claim compliance to BS EN 61340-5-1.
BS EN 61340-5-1 provides the requirements for an ESD control program. IEC TR 61340-5-2 [9] provides guidance on the implementation of BS EN 61340-5-1.
Note: BS EN 61340-5-1 does not apply to electrically initiated explosive devices, flammable liquids, gases, and powders.
Note: Isolated conductors were historically represented by MM.
Who is BS EN 61340-5-1 - Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena for? 
BS EN 61340-5-1 on the protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena is useful for: 
- Manufacturers and installers of equipment
- Service providers
- Inspectors and transport
- Product design engineers 
- Electrical engineering industry 
- Quality control and testing authorities 
Why should you use BS EN 61340-5-1 - Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena?  
Electrostatic forces can only be significant when particles contain a considerable quantity of charge or when an external electric field of sufficient intensity is applied. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage electronic devices and equipment. Regular compliance verification checks and tests are essential to ensure that equipment remains effective and that the ESD control program is correctly implemented in compliance with the ESD control program plan.
BS EN 61340-5-1 provides you guidance on the requirements necessary to design, establish, implement and maintain an electrostatic discharge (ESD) control program for activities that: manufacture, process, assemble, install, package, label, service, test, inspect, transport that facilitates safety, usability and operability of devices and equipment.
BS EN 61340-5-1 provides users with the administrative and technical requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an ESD control program.
BS EN 61340-5-1 provides users guidance on how to determine ESD hazards, ESD control program administrative requirements, initial process, and organizational assessment, documentation of ESD control program plan, test methods, ensuring the development of safety protocols to prevent ESD damage in electronic devices and equipment.
Thus, BS EN 61340-5-1 is your one-stop guide for ensuring electrostatic protection of electronic components and equipment.
What’s changed since the last update?  
BS EN 61340-5-1:2018 supersedes BS EN 61340-5-1:2007. Which is withdrawn. BS EN 61340-5-1:2018 includes some technical changes concerning BS EN 61340-5-1:2002. These include: 
- Technical requirements were changed to align IEC 61340-5-1 with other industry ESD standard
- Reference documents were updated to reflect newly released IEC standards
- A section on product qualification was added
- Table 4 was deleted and detailed packaging requirements were deferred to IEC 6134053
- Clause A.1 was removed and is now included in IEC 61340-4-6
