EN 60335-2-23:2003/A12:2016

Overview

EN 60335-2-23:2003/A12:2016, developed by CLC (CENELEC), sets out the safety requirements for electric appliances used for skin or hair care, intended for household and similar applications. This European standard applies to both personal and animal care equipment powered by voltages up to 250 V. It ensures these devices perform safely when used as intended-minimizing the risk of electric shock, fire, and related hazards in domestic settings.

This standard is widely referenced in the body care equipment sector and supports compliance with essential EU directives for domestic safety.

Key Topics

Key subjects addressed by EN 60335-2-23 include:

• Product Scope: Covers a wide range of electric appliances for skin and hair care, such as hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, shavers, and other similar domestic devices.
• Rated Voltage: Applies to equipment operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V.
• Safety Requirements: Specifies protective measures against electrical, mechanical, thermal, and fire hazards.
• Marking and Instructions:
  • Appliances must bear specific labels to alert users of potential risks.
  • Labeling guidelines ensure the warnings are durable and legible according to recognized international symbols and sizes (e.g., IEC 60417, ISO 3864-1, ISO 7000).
  • The label must be permanently attached to the supply cord, sized for visibility, and resistant to tearing or detachment under specified test conditions.
• Test Methods: Detailed inspection and mechanical testing criteria to confirm compliance, specifically for warning labels and markings.
• User Instructions: Requires manufacturers to provide clear, safe usage instructions along with every appliance.

Applications

EN 60335-2-23 is vital for various stakeholders in the electrical appliances industry, particularly those involved in design, manufacture, import, and compliance testing. Its use is seen in the following scenarios:

• Product Design & Manufacturing: Guides manufacturers in integrating the required safety features and compliant labeling during product development phases.
• Market Access: Ensures appliances meet European safety standards, a key requirement for entry into EU and EFTA markets.
• Consumer Safety: Offers assurance to end-users that skin and hair care appliances-such as hair styling tools and electric shavers-are engineered to minimize risk during everyday use.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports alignment with the EU Low Voltage Directive and other essential legal frameworks governing domestic equipment safety.

Related Standards

Several other standards interact with or complement EN 60335-2-23, including:

• EN 60335-1: General requirements for the safety of household and similar electrical appliances.
• IEC 60417: Standardized graphical symbols for use on equipment, referenced for proper warning label icons.
• ISO 3864-1 & ISO 7000: Standards for safety markings and symbol use, ensuring consistency and recognizability of warning labels.
• EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD): Regulatory framework for electrical equipment safety within the EU.
• Other parts of the EN 60335 series, addressing specific household appliance categories.

By adhering to EN 60335-2-23:2003/A12:2016, manufacturers and stakeholders ensure high standards of domestic electrical safety, facilitating safe product use and meeting market obligations across Europe. This fosters consumer confidence and supports innovation within the hair and skin care appliance sector.