IPC-A-600
Acceptability of Printed Boards
IPC-A-600 is the IPC standard that defines visual acceptance criteria for bare printed circuit boards. It specifies what surface, dimensional, and structural conditions are acceptable across three class levels, and is the reference document fabricators use to inspect boards before shipment.
What it is
IPC-A-600 ("Acceptability of Printed Boards") is published by IPC, the global trade association for the electronics manufacturing industry. It is the companion standard to IPC-A-610, which covers assembled boards. Together they form the most widely referenced acceptance criteria in PCB manufacturing.
The standard covers a wide range of conditions including surface imperfections (scratches, dents, voids), plating quality, solder mask coverage, silkscreen legibility, hole wall integrity, copper thickness, and dimensional conformance. Each condition is illustrated with photographs and described at three acceptance levels matching the IPC class system: Class 1 (general electronics), Class 2 (dedicated service electronics), and Class 3 (high-reliability electronics).
The current revision is IPC-A-600M, published in May 2025. It supersedes IPC-A-600K and includes updated guidance on edge plating, board cavities, edge burrs, dewetting, and X-ray inspection examples for the first time. Fabricators reference IPC-A-600 in quality documentation, and certificates of conformance typically state which class the board meets.
When it matters
Specifying an IPC class on your order tells the fabricator how strictly to inspect against IPC-A-600 criteria. If you do not specify a class, most fabricators default to Class 2. For medical, aerospace, automotive, or industrial-reliability applications, explicitly requiring Class 3 inspection ensures the fabricator applies the stricter visual and dimensional criteria — and pays for the additional inspection time. The class also affects which defects can be reworked versus scrapped.
At Nordic PCB
All our certified suppliers manufacture and inspect to at least IPC-A-600 Class 2 by default, with Class 3 available on request. The applicable class is recorded on the certificate of conformance shipped with each order, supporting traceability requirements for regulated industries.
Related terms
- IPC class 2 vs class 3
IPC class 2 and class 3 are two acceptance levels defined in IPC standards (A-600 for bare boards, A-610 for assemblies). Class 2 covers dedicated-service electronics; class 3 covers high-reliability electronics where failure cannot be tolerated. Class 3 demands tighter tolerances, stricter inspection, and typically costs more.
- IPC-A-610
IPC-A-610 is the most widely used acceptance standard for assembled PCBs, defining visual criteria for solder joints, component placement, cleanliness, and damage across three class levels. The current revision is IPC-A-610J (March 2024). It is the companion standard to IPC-A-600 for bare boards.
- DFM
DFM (Design for Manufacturability) is a structured review of your PCB design against a fabricator's process limits — trace widths, drill sizes, annular rings, solder mask clearances, and stack-up choices — to catch issues before tooling starts. A good DFM review prevents rework, scrap, and missed delivery dates.
- Surface finish
A surface finish is the protective coating applied to the exposed copper pads on a PCB to prevent oxidation and provide a solderable surface for component attachment. The choice affects cost, assembly compatibility, shelf life, and reliability.