IEC 60335-2-52:2021

Overview

IEC 60335-2-52:2021 is the fourth edition of the IEC Part 2 safety standard for electric oral hygiene appliances used in households and similar environments. It covers appliances with a rated voltage up to 250 V (including DC‑supplied and battery‑operated devices) - for example electric toothbrushes and oral irrigators. This edition is a technical revision aligned with IEC 60335-1:2020 and replaces the previous (2002) edition and its amendments.

Key topics and technical requirements

This Part 2 standard supplements IEC 60335-1 and focuses on hazards and tests specific to oral hygiene appliances. Important technical topics include:

• Scope and exclusions: applies to household oral hygiene appliances; it does not apply to medical devices (see IEC 60601) and generally does not address users who require supervision or children playing with appliances.
• Battery-operated appliances: clarified requirements for battery and cell capacities; normative Annex B addresses separable and detachable batteries for battery-operated appliances.
• Construction and safety tests: introduces and updates specific tests and requirements such as:
  • Alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020 wording and normative changes.
  • Use of test probe 19 for protection against access to live parts and surface measurements.
  • Updated stability tests covering hand‑held parts when placed on charging stands.
  • New drop test for hand‑held parts (mechanical robustness).
  • Additional strength tests for detachable power‑supply components.
• Thermal, electrical and mechanical safety: limits on surface temperature rises, leakage currents, electric strength, moisture resistance, mechanical strength and endurance, and resistance to fire and corrosion are covered by Part 1 plus Part 2 specific clauses.
• Labeling, instructions and classification: marking and instructions requirements tailored to oral hygiene appliance use.

Practical applications and who uses it

IEC 60335-2-52:2021 is essential for stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, testing and certification of household oral hygiene products:

• Product designers & R&D teams - to design safe electric toothbrushes and oral irrigators that meet global safety expectations.
• Compliance and regulatory teams - to verify conformity with electrical and mechanical safety requirements for consumer markets.
• Test laboratories & certification bodies - to perform required tests (stability, drop, battery tests, probe testing) and issue conformity/approval reports.
• Manufacturers & suppliers - to prepare technical files, user instructions and ensure safe detachable power supplies and battery systems.

Related standards (use in conjunction)

• IEC 60335-1 – General requirements for household and similar electrical appliances (mandatory companion).
• IEC 60601 – Excluded: applies to medical electrical equipment.
• National health and labour regulations – may impose additional requirements for oral care appliances or specific use environments (vehicles, ships, aircraft).

Keywords: IEC 60335-2-52:2021, oral hygiene appliances safety, electric toothbrush standard, oral irrigator safety, battery-operated appliance requirements, IEC 60335-1 alignment.