February 2026: Major Updates for Domestic and Commercial Equipment Standards

Staying current with international standards is essential across the domestic and commercial equipment, entertainment, and sports sectors. In February 2026, five significant new standards were published, reshaping safety, design, and operational guidelines for a range of facilities and appliances. These updates bring opportunities for quality improvements, regulatory compliance, and enhanced safety for public, commercial, and home environments. Below, we provide in-depth coverage of each standard, exploring technical requirements and the practical implications for industry professionals.

Overview

The domestic and commercial equipment sector covers a vast array of products: from wellness facilities and public sports infrastructure to everyday home appliances used by millions worldwide. International standards play a vital role in ensuring these products are safe, reliable, and efficient. For manufacturers, facility operators, engineers, and procurement managers, understanding and implementing the latest standards is crucial to maintain compliance, minimize risk, and stay ahead of market expectations.

In this article, readers will:

• Gain insights into new and revised standards published in February 2026
• Understand technical and operational requirements for wellness centers, electrical appliances, and more
• Learn compliance implications, industry-wide impact, and actionable best practices

This is Part 1 of a two-part series covering new standards in this area for the month.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN 18164:2026 - Wellness Facilities for Public Use – Climated Rooms – Requirements

Wellness facilities for public use - Climated rooms - Requirements

The newly published EN 18164:2026 establishes comprehensive requirements for the design and construction of climated rooms—such as saunas, steam rooms, and warm-air rooms—within public wellness facilities. This standard aims to ensure that these spaces not only promote health and well-being but are also safe and accessible for public use.

Key Requirements and Scope:

• Defines parameters for four main room types: sauna, warm-air, steam, and soft steam rooms
• Covers construction materials, interior finishes, slip resistance, accessibility, and hygiene
• Emphasizes crucial controls over temperature, humidity, and ventilation
• Sets out protocols for emergency call systems and the safe operation of heaters, humidifiers, and floor/wall surfaces
• Excludes electrotechnical components, referring users to separate electrical standards

Practical Implications: Operators of spas, hotels, gyms, and wellness centers are the primary stakeholders. Compliance with EN 18164:2026 helps mitigate liability, enhances user satisfaction, and ensures consistent facility quality. Design and construction teams, maintenance engineers, and suppliers of wellness equipment should align their processes with these guidelines, especially regarding hygiene, thermal safety, and user accessibility.

Key highlights:

• Clear requirements for material selection and surface treatment to prevent burns and microbiological risks
• Mandated slip resistance testing and smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces
• Standardized emergency and safety control protocols for user protection

Access the full standard:View EN 18164:2026 on iTeh Standards

FprEN IEC 60335-2-17:2025 - Safety of Household and Similar Appliances: Flexible Heating Appliances

Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-17: Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating appliances

FprEN IEC 60335-2-17:2025 specifies the safety requirements for electric blankets, heating pads, heated clothing, and related flexible heating appliances used in homes and similar environments. This standard ensures both electrical and physical safety to prevent hazards like overheating, electric shock, or mechanical failure.

Scope and Requirements:

• Applies to all flexible electrical heating appliances up to 250 V
• Includes new requirements for construction, marking, user instructions, and routine test protocols
• Addresses potential hazards, such as access to live parts, prolonged heat exposure, mechanical endurance, and resistance to moisture
• Enhanced criteria for materials (thermal insulation performance, fire resistance), instructions for safe usage, and markings
• Aligns with IEC 60335-1:2020, and supersedes previous versions with technical clarifications and new testing methods

Who Needs To Comply: Manufacturers and importers of electric blankets or wearables, retailers, and test laboratories are directly affected. Quality assurance and product development teams must align products with the latest requirements to demonstrate conformity.

Key highlights:

• Updated user guidance and warning symbols for misuse prevention
• Rigorous temperature control and cutoff systems to avoid overheating
• Improved endurance and mechanical testing processes

Access the full standard:View FprEN IEC 60335-2-17:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026 - Safety of Household Appliances: Electrolysers

Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-108: Particular requirements for electrolysers

EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026 consolidates safety requirements for electrolysers—appliances that generate low-viscosity, ionized liquids for detergent-free washing, primarily found in laundry and cleaning products. Its focus is to ensure that these devices are electrically safe, robust, and resistant to operational hazards during use.

Standard Scope and Key Requirements:

• Covers electrolysers for household or similar use, up to 250 V
• Construction standards addressing accessibility, internal wiring, insulation, and moisture resistance
• Parameters for accessible surface temperatures, mechanical strength, and protection against abnormal operation
• Protocols for warning markings, instructions, and routine safety tests
• Introduces mechanical and aging testing for elastomeric parts

Practical Application: Manufacturers of laundry appliances, electrolysis-based cleaners, and smart home products must ensure new designs comply before launching products in relevant markets. Product safety engineers and compliance officers should update design validation and certification schedules accordingly.

Key highlights:

• Revisions aligning with IEC 60335-1:2020 for harmonized global conformity
• Detailed protocols for aging, mechanical, and moisture resistance tests
• New reference to surface temperature rise limits and marking requirements

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60335-2-108:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60335-2-23:2026 - Safety of Hair Care and Similar Appliances

Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-23: Particular requirements for hair care and similar appliances

IEC 60335-2-23:2026 sets out safety requirements for home and professional hair care appliances including hairdryers, curling irons, straighteners, hand dryers, and similar products with a rated voltage of maximum 250 V (including DC and battery-operated versions). This seventh edition introduces significant technical revisions and re-aligns scope to exclude certain beauty and skin care devices now covered by other standards.

Key Requirements and Innovations:

• Comprehensive conditions for design, user protection, device markings, and construction materials
• New surface temperature rise limits, moisture resistance and durability tests for detachable supply parts
• Testing clarifications for devices used in salons and public spaces, addressing air redirection, marking of hot surfaces, and PTC element safety
• Enhanced harmonization with IEC 60335-1:2020, moving non-hair appliances to new part standards

Compliance Considerations: Appliance manufacturers, salon chains, beauty equipment distributors, and online retailers need to update their product technical files. Regulatory teams should ensure certification documentation reflects the latest standards.

Key highlights:

• Testing and marking requirements for professional and consumer uses
• Strengthened mechanical and moisture resistance protocols
• Excludes skin care equipment and focuses exclusively on hair appliances

Access the full standard:View IEC 60335-2-23:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 60335-2-26:2026 - Safety Requirements for Electric Clocks

Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-26: Particular requirements for clocks

EN IEC 60335-2-26:2026 brings the latest in safety harmonization and construction requirements for electric clocks (including battery and DC-powered models) for home and similar uses. As smart home integration grows, the safety of clocks—often overlooked—becomes increasingly vital.

What This Standard Covers:

• Design and construction requirements for all types of electric clocks operating at up to 250 V
• Ensures protection from access to live parts, excessive surface temperatures, fire hazards, and mechanical failures
• Introduces new test probes and protocols for accessible surfaces
• Updates to marking and instruction requirements for user safety

Who Should Take Note: Designers and manufacturers of electric clocks, consumer electronics brands, and importers must update technical compliance files before launching new or updated clock models.

Key highlights:

• Updated surface temperature rise criteria
• Requirement for mechanical strength in design and battery-operated products
• Aligned with current IEC 60335-1:2020 foundation for broader consistency

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60335-2-26:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The updated standards have direct implications across the wellness, entertainment, domestic appliance, and consumer product sectors. organizations in these sectors benefit from:

• Enhanced product and facility safety, reducing legal and insurance risks
• Streamlined compliance with national and international regulations for entry into global markets
• Improved product reliability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency

For regulated sectors (hospitality, retail, manufacturing), transitioning to the new standards is essential. Most standards allow a transition period (commonly 12–36 months after publication) for full compliance; early adoption helps maintain a competitive edge. Non-compliance could result in product recalls, legal penalties, or restricted market access.

Technical Insights

Across all five standards, recurrent technical themes emerge:

• Emphasis on surface temperature management: Preventing burns or overheating hazards, especially in user-accessible equipment
• Moisture resistance and hygiene: Required for both appliances and facility design, with detailed test procedures
• Mechanical strength and endurance: Ensuring ongoing durability and safety, especially for flexible or frequently manipulated products
• Harmonized instructions and markings: Uniform labeling to enhance user comprehension and reduce misuse
• Routine and abnormal operation tests: Thorough testing of appliances under both normal and fault conditions

Implementation Best Practices:

1. Early engagement with regulatory and technical teams to interpret standard requirements
2. Integration of standard provisions into design reviews and supplier checklists
3. Regular product testing—both in-house and via accredited labs
4. Keeping technical documentation, risk analyses, and instructions up to date

Testing and Certification Considerations:

• Conduct testing according to latest IEC/CEN protocols using accredited facilities
• Maintain clear traceability from requirements to product features and test reports
• Audit supply chains for material, marking, and workmanship conformity

Conclusion and Next Steps

February 2026 marks an important milestone for domestic and commercial equipment standards, with crucial advancements across wellness facilities, flexible heating appliances, electrolysers, hair care tools, and electric clocks. Early adoption and thorough understanding of these requirements will position industry professionals for secure, compliant, and market-leading product and facility offerings.

Key Takeaways:

• Timely updates in standards reduce risk and improve end-user trust
• Implementation should begin promptly — review design, procurement, and compliance workflows
• Leverage standards access via reputable sources

For full details on each new or revised standard, visit the official iTeh Standards catalog.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, covering additional February 2026 standards in this category.

Access all featured standards and more:Explore iTeh Standards