December 4, 2025 – New Standard for Minor Motion Detection Adopted
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has adopted Amendment 1 to IEC 63180:2020, introducing standardized test methods for the measurement and declaration of detection range of passive infrared detectors for major and minor motion detection [citation:6].
The amendment adds specific test procedures for detecting minor motion, including the subtle movements of seated or stationary individuals. This addresses a key limitation of traditional PIR sensors, which only detect major motion (walking).
The new test methods are particularly relevant for modern high-sensitivity PIR sensors such as Panasonic’s PaPIRs+ with 416 detection zones, which claims the ability to detect very small movements of sitting individuals [citation:10].
The amendment was adopted on December 4, 2025, with the final publication expected in early 2026. It applies to passive infrared detectors used in building automation, security systems, and occupancy monitoring applications [citation:6].
Manufacturers can now use standardized test procedures to validate and declare their sensors’ capability for minor motion detection, enabling specifiers to compare products objectively. The standard includes 17 pages of test methods and measurement procedures [citation:6].
This update reflects the industry’s evolution toward presence detection rather than simple motion detection, driven by energy efficiency regulations and smart building requirements.