The publications of international Surge Protection Device (SPD) standards issued by the International Electro technical Commission (IEC) are introduced. Through comparing the latest standards of the low voltage surge protection device test (IEC61643 11: 2011) with the 2005 and 1998 versions, the modifications in the new standard are demonstrated in aspects of the category, applicability, electrical performance requirements, and test methods, focused on the analysis of important content and reasons for change in the new standards, aiming to help SPD manufacturers, testing organizations, and users to understand these modifications quickly. It is pointed out that the CQC authentication should be adopted according to the international practices in the SPD standards and the SPD market, to strengthen the regulation of the market.