This International Standard applies to cord switches (mechanical or electronic) for appliances actuated by hand, by foot or by other human activity, to operate or control electrical appliances and other equipment for household or similar purposes with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V and a rated current not exceeding 16 A. These switches are intended to be operated by a person, via an actuating member or by actuating a sensing unit. The actuating member or sensing unit can be integral with or arranged separately, either physically or electrically, from the switch and may involve transmission of a signal, for example electrical, optical, acoustic or thermal, between the actuating member or sensing unit and the switch. Switches which incorporate additional control functions governed by the switch function are within the scope of this standard. This standard also covers the indirect actuation of the switch when the operation of the actuating member or sensing unit is provided by a remote control or a part of an appliance or equipment such as a door.