IEC 61855:2022 PDF

Overview

IEC 61855:2022 is an international standard issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that focuses on electrical hair care appliances designed for household and similar uses. This standard updates and replaces the 2003 edition, providing a comprehensive set of methods for measuring the performance of key hair care devices such as hair dryers, hair curlers, and hair straighteners. While IEC 61855:2022 does not set performance requirements or safety regulations (covered separately by IEC 60335-2-23), it specifies standardized testing procedures that help manufacturers, testers, and consumers evaluate the functional characteristics of these hair styling appliances.

The standard covers performance aspects that are of practical interest to users, including temperature profiles, airflow, drying rate, tension control, anion emission, and service life testing. Its aim is to provide reliable, repeatable measurement methods that support quality control, product development, and informed consumer choices.

Key Topics

IEC 61855:2022 introduces several significant technical updates to methods of testing hair care appliances:

• Updated Definitions: Refined terminology for hair dryers, curlers, and straighteners to align with current product designs.
• Temperature Profile Measurements:
  • Outlet air temperature of hair dryers
  • Entire work area temperature for hair curlers
  • Heating plate temperature profile for hair straighteners
• Airflow Measurement: New method to assess the air flow rate of hair dryers, critical for performance and user comfort.
• Drying Rate Assessment: Detailed procedure using test fabrics to quantify the drying efficiency of hair dryers.
• Anion Emission Testing: Methodology to measure the concentration of anions released by anion hair dryers, highlighting features purported to benefit hair health.
• Tension Measurement: Precise technique for evaluating the tension applied by hair straighteners on hair bundles, influencing styling effectiveness and hair safety.
• Service Life Tests: Standardized endurance testing to simulate appliance wear and assess longevity under typical household use.

Additional features include measurements of appliance mass, cord length, heating-up time, acoustic noise, accessory attachment reliability and ease of handling, as well as comprehensive guidance on test environment and instrumentation requirements.

Applications

IEC 61855:2022 is highly valuable for multiple stakeholders involved with electrical hair care appliances:

• Manufacturers use these standardized methods to design, test, and optimize products for consistent quality and performance.
• Test Laboratories and Certification Bodies apply these techniques for objective verification of product characteristics, supporting compliance and market access.
• Retailers and Consumer Organizations rely on the data produced by these methods to inform marketing claims and consumer advice.
• Regulatory Authorities benefit from these clear measurement frameworks to establish or support performance-related regulations without overlap with safety standards.

The standard excludes electric hair clippers or trimmers, focusing uniquely on drying and styling appliances, making it a targeted resource for the growing hair care appliance market. By adopting the IEC 61855:2022 methodology, stakeholders ensure transparency and comparability in performance data that enhances consumer trust and drives innovation.

Related Standards

To comprehensively cover hair care appliance requirements, IEC 61855:2022 interfaces with other important IEC standards:

• IEC 60335-2-23: Safety requirements for hair care appliances, including electrical safety and fire hazards.
• IEC 60529: Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP codes), relevant for appliance durability.
• IEC 61000 series: Electromagnetic compatibility standards ensuring appliance operation without interference.
• Other specific IEC and ISO standards on household appliance testing and terminology, ensuring consistency and integration in product evaluation frameworks.

Summary

IEC 61855:2022 provides the essential methods for measuring the performance of household electrical hair care appliances, enabling standardized evaluation of critical user-relevant properties such as temperature uniformity, airflow, drying efficiency, ion emission, and product durability. This updated standard supports manufacturers, testers, and regulators by delivering clear, replicable test procedures that promote product innovation, quality assurance, and consumer confidence in hair dryers, curlers, and straighteners worldwide.