IEC 60335-2-115:2021

Overview

IEC 60335-2-115:2021 is an international safety standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It specifies particular requirements for the safety of household and similar electrical appliances designed for skin beauty care. This standard applies to electric devices intended for skin treatment purposes, with rated voltages not exceeding 250 V, and covers both mains-supplied and battery-operated appliances when in battery mode.

This standard complements the general safety requirements outlined in IEC 60335-1 and focuses on common hazards associated with skin beauty care appliances. It addresses various types of appliances incorporating electrical, thermal, ultrasonic, and radio frequency technologies intended for personal and commercial use.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability
  Covers appliances for skin beauty care including:

  • Battery-operated and DC-supplied beauty care devices
  • Appliances using high, medium, and low-frequency electrical outputs for skin or muscle stimulation
  • Galvanic current devices such as electro-epilators
  • Ultrasonic and radio frequency appliances
  • Vacuum-pressure devices and wax melting units
  • Facial cleansing, micro-needling, and plasma pen devices
  • Appliances with vapor or spray functionalities

• Exclusions
  The standard excludes:

  • Industrial appliances and those used in corrosive or explosive environments
  • Shavers, hair clippers (covered by IEC 60335-2-8)
  • Heating pads, blankets (IEC 60335-2-17)
  • Facial saunas, hand dryers, foot care (IEC 60335-2-23)
  • Spray tanning and laser or intense light source appliances (IEC 60335-2-113)
  • Medical devices covered under IEC 60601
  • Certain ultrasound and radio frequency appliances without skin contact

• Safety Requirements
  The standard provides detailed provisions on:

  • Protection against electric shock and access to live parts
  • Marking, labeling, and user instructions to ensure safe operation
  • Temperature limits and thermal protection to prevent burns or skin damage
  • Mechanical stability and construction requirements for durability and safety
  • Limits on leakage current and electric strength during normal and abnormal operation
  • Requirements for software evaluation and electromagnetic output safety (local SAR limits)

• Testing and Evaluation
  Includes methods for assessing:

  • Endurance and abnormal operation scenarios
  • Leakage current and insulation strength
  • Mechanical strength and stability
  • Temperature rise and burn threshold limits on skin-contact surfaces
  • Safety of applied parts that interface with skin during treatments

Applications

IEC 60335-2-115:2021 applies to a broad range of household and commercial skin beauty care appliances, ensuring their safe design and operation. Practical applications include:

• Consumer Beauty Devices: Safe use of at-home galvanic, ultrasonic, and radio frequency tools for skin rejuvenation, cleansing, and hair removal.
• Professional Skin Treatment Equipment: Standards compliance for salon or spa devices using electrical stimulation or thermal effects.
• Device Manufacturing: Guidelines to design appliances that prevent electric shock, overheating, or mechanical hazards.
• Certification and Testing: Framework for testing labs and certification bodies evaluating skin beauty care appliances for compliance prior to market release.
• User Safety: Provides manufacturers with clear instructions for safe consumer use, especially for battery and dual-powered devices.

Related Standards

For comprehensive safety compliance, IEC 60335-2-115 should be used in conjunction with related standards including:

• IEC 60335-1: General safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances
• IEC 60335-2-8: Safety requirements for shavers, hair clippers, and similar appliances
• IEC 60335-2-17: Safety standard for electric heating pads, blankets, and clothing
• IEC 60335-2-23: Requirements for appliances like facial saunas and hand dryers
• IEC 60335-2-27: Safety for appliances for skin exposure to optical radiation
• IEC 60335-2-53: Sauna heating and infrared cabins
• IEC 60335-2-113: Cosmetic and beauty care appliances using lasers and intense light sources
• IEC 60601: Medical electrical equipment standards relevant for medical-use devices
• National Regulations: Additional country-specific requirements from health and labor authorities

IEC 60335-2-115:2021 offers manufacturers, testing bodies, and users essential guidance to ensure the safety and reliability of skin beauty care electrical appliances. By complying with this standard, stakeholders contribute to reducing hazards and enhancing consumer confidence in personal care electrical devices.