An electric shaver bearing the CE mark undergoes over a hundred rigorous safety tests—from preventing microampere-level leakage current to withstanding thousands of volts of dielectric strength impact. Every detail is critical to user safety.

For electric shaver manufacturers planning to enter the EU market, CE certification is a mandatory legal passport. The EN 60335 series standards form the core technical foundation of this passport. Hailed as the "Safety Code for Household Appliances," this standard system details all safety requirements products must meet.

Understanding and complying with EN 60335 standards is not only about regulatory compliance but also the highest commitment to product quality and user safety.

01 Interpretation of the Standard System

EN 60335 is not a single standard but a rigorous family of standards, divided into two parts that collectively form a complete safety framework:

Part 1: EN 60335-1 (General Safety Requirements)

• Applies to all household and similar electrical appliances.
• Specifies basic safety criteria such as protection against electric shock, insulation, mechanical strength, and temperature rise.
• Current valid version: EN 60335-1:2012 (replaces earlier versions with key updates to marking, user manuals, and structural requirements).

Part 2: Product-Specific Safety Requirements (EN 60335-2-XX)

• For electric shavers, hair clippers, and similar appliances, the direct and specific applicable standard is EN 60335-2-8.
• Note: In some classifications, shavers are also categorized under personal care appliances, referencing EN 60335-2-23 (Skin and Hair Care Appliances). However, EN 60335-2-8 remains the more direct and specific standard.

Compliance Principle

Both parts must be used in conjunction:

1. First, meet all requirements of the general standard EN 60335-1.
2. Then, comply with the additional and differentiated provisions of the specific standard EN 60335-2-8.Only products satisfying both are deemed fully compliant.

02 Core Safety Requirements & Test Items

Based on EN 60335-1 and EN 60335-2-8, shaver testing covers electrical, mechanical, thermal, and other safety dimensions—simulating normal use and foreseeable misuse scenarios:

03 Key Design Considerations & Common Issues

A shaver’s design directly determines its certification success. Manufacturers must pay special attention to these high-risk areas:

1. Structural Layout

• Ensure adequate clearance and creepage distances between live parts and accessible surfaces.
• The 2012 version of EN 60335-1 imposes more explicit requirements for insulation evaluation of high-frequency circuits (e.g., switching power supplies).

2. Protective Housing Design

• The housing serves as both an aesthetic feature and a safety barrier.
• Housing materials must pass the ball pressure test to resist deformation at high temperatures and meet relevant flame retardancy ratings (e.g., UL 94).

3. Rechargeable Function Safety (If Applicable)

• Internal batteries and charging circuits require additional evaluation, potentially involving battery standards (e.g., IEC 62133) and charger-specific standards (e.g., EN 60335-2-29).

4. User Manual & Warnings

• Per EN 60335-1:2012, safety instructions must be placed at the front of the manual with a minimum font height requirement.
• Include warnings for vulnerable groups such as children.

04 Complete Certification Process Guide

Obtaining the CE mark and demonstrating compliance with EN 60335 standards is a systematic project, typically involving these key steps:

Step 1: Preparation & Application

• Confirm product models and specifications.
• Select an EU-authorized compliance service provider like Guangdong Energy Storage Testing.
• Submit a draft of technical documents.

Step 2: Gap Testing & Evaluation

• Engineers from the testing body conduct full-item tests per the standards and record all data.
• This is the core phase—all non-compliances must be identified here.

Step 3: Test-Rectification-Verification Loop

• For failed items, senior engineers provide root-cause analysis and rectification plans.
• Assist in verifying modified samples until all items pass.

Step 4: Technical File Compilation & Report Issuance

• The laboratory issues an official, detailed English test report.
• The manufacturer integrates all documents into a complete Technical Construction File (TCF)—the basis for the Declaration of Conformity.

Step 5: Sign Declaration of Conformity & Affix CE Mark

• The manufacturer or its EU Authorized Representative signs the legally binding EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) based on the complete TCF.
• Affix the CE mark to the product to complete the final pre-market step.

An electric shaver compliant with EN 60335 standards will have a charging base with a stable plastic housing even after 1,000 hours of continuous high-temperature aging. Its blade net cannot be accidentally pried open by test fingers applying force at different angles. Even if the internal motor locks up unexpectedly, the protection circuit will instantly cut off power before temperatures reach dangerous levels.

The technical team at Guangdong Energy Storage Testing examines every circuit and structure against these standards. From selecting insulation materials to verifying the logic of protection programs, from laboratories in Shenzhen to shelves in European markets—every step aims for one goal: making safety an inherent part of the product.

Contact us today to get your electric shaver’s customized CE certification solution and technical support!