IEC 60335-2-8:2022

Overview

IEC 60335-2-8:2022 - "Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-8: Particular requirements for shavers, hair clippers and similar appliances" is the 7th edition safety standard for electric shavers, hair clippers, epilators, manicure/pedicure devices and similar handheld grooming appliances. It applies to appliances intended for household and similar use with a rated voltage up to 250 V, including DC‑supplied and battery‑operated devices. The standard addresses common hazards (electrical, mechanical, thermal, fire, radiation) during normal and foreseeable abnormal use and is intended to be used together with IEC 60335-1.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability: covers battery-operated and mains/low-voltage DC devices; includes some non-household layman tools (e.g., animal shearers). Exclusions include devices for corrosive/explosive atmospheres, massage appliances (IEC 60335-2-32), laser/intense‑light beauty devices (IEC 60335-2-113), skin beauty appliances (IEC 60335-2-115) and medical equipment (IEC 60601).
• Safety fundamentals: protection against access to live parts, leakage current and dielectric strength, transient overvoltages, moisture resistance, heating and temperature limits, and resistance to heat and fire.
• Mechanical and functional safety: stability, mechanical strength, construction, internal wiring, components, and endurance/abnormal‑operation tests.
• Power and supply rules: requirements for detachable power supply parts, interconnection cords (including Class III constructions), supply connections, and earthing provisions.
• Battery and motor specifics: normative Annex B on battery‑operated appliances and separable/detachable batteries; motor ageing tests (Annex C) and charging/metal‑ion battery safety considerations.
• Marking & instructions: mandatory markings, user instructions and warnings (including provisions relating to hot blades for animal shearers).

Notable technical changes in the 2022 edition include alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020, new requirements for detachable power supplies, and clarified rules for holding the appliance, interconnection cords, and hot‑blade instructions.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

• Manufacturers and product designers of shavers, clippers, epilators and grooming tools: to design compliant products and select safe components (batteries, detachable supplies, cords).
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors: to carry out mandatory electrical, mechanical, thermal and battery tests for certification (CE, CB, national approvals).
• Quality, Safety and Regulatory teams: to prepare technical documentation, risk assessments, instructions and labels required for market access.
• Procurement and R&D: to specify supplier requirements and validate that parts meet safety benchmarks.

Related standards and regulatory context

• IEC 60335-1 (general safety requirements for household appliances)
• IEC 60335-2-32 (massage appliances)
• IEC 60335-2-113 / IEC 60335-2-115 (beauty care appliances)
• IEC 60601 (medical electrical equipment)
• IEC 60364 (wiring compatibility) and relevant national safety/health/labour regulations

Using IEC 60335-2-8:2022 ensures product safety alignment for grooming appliances, supports certification workflows, and reduces market risk by meeting internationally recognized safety requirements.