IEC 61858:2008 lists the required test procedures for qualification of modifications of an established electrical insulation system (EIS) with respect to its thermal classification. This standard is applicable to EIS used in wire-wound electrotechnical devices. The test procedures are comparative in that the performance of a candidate EIS is compared to that of a reference EIS, which has proven service experience in accordance with IEC 60505 or has been evaluated by one of the procedures given in the IEC 61857 series.

This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2004 by IEC TC 98: Electrical insulation systems (EIS). It constitutes an editorial revision.