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Safety of Skin and Hair Care Appliances: Understanding CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 (2018)
Comprehensive Guide to Canadian Safety Requirements for Household Skin or Hair Care Electrical Appliances
Scope and Application
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 (2018) is the Canadian national standard that adopts the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard IEC 60335-2-23 with specific national modifications. It addresses the safety of household and similar electrical appliances intended for skin or hair care, including but not limited to hair dryers, curling irons, hair straighteners, facial steamers, and hand dryers. These appliances operate on single-phase circuits with a rated voltage not exceeding 250 V and are intended for indoor use in locations such as homes, hair salons, and beauty parlors.
This standard is part of the broader CSA C22.2 series under the Canadian Electrical Code, Part II. It covers normal use as well as reasonably foreseeable misuse, ensuring that under expected conditions the appliances do not pose electric shock, thermal, mechanical, or other hazards. The effective date of the standard is 2018, and it replaces previous editions such as CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 64-M91 and any earlier adoptions of IEC 60335-2-23.
Key Point: This standard is harmonized with IEC 60335-2-23 but includes Canadian deviations (e.g., for supply cord types, plug configurations, and marking requirements) to align with the Canadian Electrical Code (CE Code) and Canadian regulatory environment.
Key Technical Requirements
Temperature Limits and Material Ratings
Safeguarding against excessive surface temperatures is a critical aspect of CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15. The standard specifies maximum allowable temperature rises for accessible parts under normal operation. These limits prevent burns to the user and thermal degradation of materials. Table 1 summarizes the key temperature limits applicable to skin or hair care appliances.
| Accessible Part | Maximum temperature rise (K) under normal operation | Measurement method |
|---|---|---|
| Grip area of handles (metal) | 35 | Thermocouple on surface |
| Grip area of handles (plastic, ceramic) | 45 | Thermocouple on surface |
| Nozzle or outlet air (at user distance) | 85 (for hair dryers) | Air temperature measurement |
| Barrel or plate of curling iron/straightener | 80 | Surface temperature at steady state |
| Casings & enclosures (non-handle, user contact) | 60 | Thermocouple |
| Components & internal parts (insulation materials) | As per material class (Class A: 105°C, Class B: 130°C, etc.) | Resistance or thermocouple |
Values are representative; refer to the standard for complete requirements and allowed test conditions.
Moisture and Splash Resistance
Skin and hair care appliances often operate in damp environments (bathrooms). Hence, the standard mandates a minimum ingress protection (IP) rating of at least IPX4 (splashproof) for handheld appliances. For those intended for use near water (hair dryers, curling irons), a protective device such as a residual current device (RCD) may be required or integrated into the supply plug. The standard also includes tests for resistance to moisture, steam, and condensation.
Important: Appliances labeled as “splashproof” or for bathroom use must pass the IPX4 test per CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 0.4. The standard also requires that any drainage of water from the appliance during use does not impair electrical safety.
Mechanical Strength and Stability
Handheld appliances are subjected to drop tests and impact tests (e.g., 1 m drop onto concrete surface). Stand-alone appliances such as facial steamers must have adequate stability on a 10° inclined plane. Handles and attachments shall not break during a 200 N force application for 1 minute. These requirements minimize the risk of exposed live parts or sharp edges after a mechanical incident.
Overheating Protection
All appliances must incorporate a non-self-resetting thermal cut-out (e.g., thermal fuse or thermal link) if they can generate excessive temperatures during a fault condition. For hair care heating appliances, the standard requires that a protective device limits the temperature rise to prevent fire even if the load is obstructed (e.g., hair dryer blocked). The thermal cut-out must operate reliably under lock-rotor or stalled fan conditions.
Implementation Highlights for Manufacturers
Manufacturers seeking compliance with CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 should consider the following during design and production:
- Supply cords and plugs: Canadian requirements specify a specific plug type (NEMA 1-15P for 125 V or NEMA 5-15P for 125 V with ground) and that cords be of type SJT, SVT, or equivalent. The cord length is limited to 2.0 m for handheld appliances unless additional safeguards are provided.
- Marking and instructions: Bilingual (English and French) warnings are mandatory. The instruction sheet must include safety precautions for use near water (e.g., “Do not use near a bathtub”) and cleaning instructions. The appliance must be marked with the CSA certification mark or equivalent.
- Adapter and timer controls: Appliances fitted with timers or heat settings should meet the endurance tests (e.g., 600 cycles for switches). Control units that regulate the temperature must undergo a 10,000-operation life test.
- Construction: Unless reinforced insulation is used, the appliance must be Class II or Class I with earthed metal parts. Creepage and clearance distances follow IEC 60335-1 as modified by CSA national differences.
Tip: To streamline CSA certification, it is advisable to review both the IEC 60335-2-23 text and the supplement published by CSA (C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15-S1 or any subsequent amendments, such as Amendment 1 issued in 2018). The supplement details Canadian deviations and should be read in conjunction.
Compliance and Certification Notes
Compliance with this standard is typically verified through third-party testing by a recognized certification body such as CSA Group, Intertek, or Underwriters Laboratories (UL) under the CSA accreditation program. The testing regime includes:
- Type testing (complete evaluation of a prototype representative of production).
- Factory inspections for follow-up service (surveillance audits).
- For batch production, periodic testing of components such as heating elements, thermostats, and interlocking switches.
Products that comply with CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 may bear the CSA mark, indicating conformity to the applicable safety requirements. In the Canadian market, provincial electrical inspection authorities (e.g., ESA in Ontario, CSST in Québec) require that appliances sold be either certified or listed by an accredited body. The standard also serves as a baseline for retailers and importers to demonstrate due diligence in product safety.
Caution: While this standard covers safety aspects, it does not address performance or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Manufacturers should consult separate standards such as CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61000-2-2 for EMC or IEC 60335-2-23 Ed. 5 for performance if those attributes are required by the target market.
From a regulatory perspective, Health Canada may also reference this standard for cosmetic devices or appliances that emit radiation (e.g., infrared lamps in facial saunas). Therefore, additional testing for radiation safety might be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which appliances are specifically covered under CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15?
A: The standard applies to household and similar electrical appliances for skin or hair care such as hair dryers, hair curlers, curling tongs, hair straighteners, facial steamers, hand dryers, and appliances intended for use in beauty salons. Appliances for medical or commercial heavy-duty use are generally excluded unless they fall under similar usage categories (e.g., a hairdryer in a hotel).
A: The standard applies to household and similar electrical appliances for skin or hair care such as hair dryers, hair curlers, curling tongs, hair straighteners, facial steamers, hand dryers, and appliances intended for use in beauty salons. Appliances for medical or commercial heavy-duty use are generally excluded unless they fall under similar usage categories (e.g., a hairdryer in a hotel).
Q: What are the main differences between the IEC 60335-2-23 base standard and the Canadian adoption?
A: The CSA version includes national modifications for plug and cord types, supply cord length limitations (max 2 m for handheld appliances), bilingual marking requirements, and alignment with the Canadian Electrical Code (e.g., requirement for integrated RCD in some cases). Temperature limits for handles may also differ slightly under Canadian test conditions.
A: The CSA version includes national modifications for plug and cord types, supply cord length limitations (max 2 m for handheld appliances), bilingual marking requirements, and alignment with the Canadian Electrical Code (e.g., requirement for integrated RCD in some cases). Temperature limits for handles may also differ slightly under Canadian test conditions.
Q: Does compliance with this standard also satisfy the requirements of the U.S. market?
A: Not directly. The United States uses UL 859 for household hair care appliances and UL 1647 for motor-operated grooming appliances. While CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 shares many technical aspects with its American counterpart, distinct differences exist (e.g., plug shapes, grounding requirements). Separate certification to UL standards is typically required for the U.S. market.
A: Not directly. The United States uses UL 859 for household hair care appliances and UL 1647 for motor-operated grooming appliances. While CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 shares many technical aspects with its American counterpart, distinct differences exist (e.g., plug shapes, grounding requirements). Separate certification to UL standards is typically required for the U.S. market.
Q: What is the significance of the year 2018 in the standard number?
A: 2018 indicates the publication date of this edition. The standard may have been reaffirmed in 2023 (denoted as R2023). Should a revised edition or amendment be issued later, the 2018 version remains the current edition until explicitly superseded by CSA Group or the Standards Council of Canada.
A: 2018 indicates the publication date of this edition. The standard may have been reaffirmed in 2023 (denoted as R2023). Should a revised edition or amendment be issued later, the 2018 version remains the current edition until explicitly superseded by CSA Group or the Standards Council of Canada.
This article is for informational purposes only. For full compliance, refer to the official publication of CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 60335-2-23-15 (R2018) available from CSA Group or authorized distributors. Last updated: 2026.