Hair and Skin Care Appliances GB 4706 Compliance Test

GB 4706.15 "Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances — Particular Requirements for Skin and Hair Care Appliances" is a Chinese national standard, part of the household appliance safety series (GB 4706). It is equivalent to the international standard iec 60335-2-23.

Core Information

1. Nature: This is a standard with particular requirements.

2. Foundation: It must be used in conjunction with GB 4706.1 "Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements".

 - GB 4706.1 specifies general safety requirements for all household appliances.

 - GB 4706.15 adds additional specific requirements and test methods for skin and hair care appliances.

3. Purpose: To ensure that household and similar appliances designed for human or animal skin and hair care provide sufficient safety to users and the surrounding environment under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

4. Scope: Applicable to single-phase appliances with rated voltage not exceeding 250V and other appliances with rated voltage not exceeding 480V.

5. Covered Appliance Types (Common Examples):

 - Hair dryers

 - Hand-held curling irons / Hair curlers

 - Heated hair rollers

 - Heated combs

 - Hood-type hair dryers

 - Facial saunas

 - Skin treatment appliances with heaters

> Note: Some more complex shavers or hair clippers may have additional specific standard requirements.

Key Particular Safety Requirements of GB 4706.15 (Compared to General Standard GB 4706.1)

1. Electric Shock Protection

- Stricter requirements for touchable parts that may contact skin or hair, especially metal parts (e.g., Class II construction requirements).

- Emphasis on electric shock protection during normal use (e.g., curling, drying) and cleaning/maintenance.

2. Heating and Temperature Rise Limits

- One of the core safety requirements for this type of appliance.

- Strict limits on temperature rise of accessible surfaces, especially parts designed to contact skin or hair (e.g., curling iron barrels, hair dryer outlets) and surrounding environment.

- Tests simulate various usage conditions (e.g., hair clamped in curling iron, blocked hair dryer air inlet/outlet, appliance placed on a support surface) to ensure even in abnormal or fault conditions, temperature rise does not reach dangerous levels (causing burns or fire).

3. Abnormal Operation

- Special tests for safety under potential faults or misuse, for example:

- Curling iron or straightener operating empty for a long time.

- Hair dryer inlet or outlet blocked.

- Motor jam (e.g., hair clippers stuck).

- Thermostat failure causing continuous heating.

- Appliances must not generate excessive temperature, cause fire, release toxic gases, or create other hazards under these abnormal conditions.

4. Construction Requirements

- Requirements for materials in direct contact with skin/hair (heat resistance, biocompatibility).

- Appliances with clamping mechanisms (curling irons, straighteners) must meet specifications for clamping force, structural strength, and durability.

- Mechanical strength of enclosures to prevent breakage leading to electric shock or mechanical injury.

- Specific requirements for power cord bending, appliance hanging (e.g., hair dryer hooks), etc.

5. Mechanical Hazard Protection

- Protection of moving parts (e.g., shaver or clipper blades) to prevent cuts or hair entanglement.

- Ensures curling iron and straightener clips do not accidentally snap open and cause injury.

6. Liquid Protection

- Waterproof tests according to declared protection level (IP code), e.g., hair dryers may require splash protection IPX4.

- Stricter moisture and insulation requirements for appliances used in humid environments (e.g., bathrooms).

Latest Version

- Current valid version: GB 4706.15-2024, released on July 24, 2024, replacing GB 4706.15-2008.

- The new version updates technical requirements to align with international standard IEC 60335-2-23:2019, with modifications for Chinese practical conditions.

GB 4706.15 is a dedicated safety standard for hair and skin care appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, hand dryers, and facial saunas. Based on the general safety requirements in GB 4706.1, it specifically addresses unique risks of these appliances, especially temperature rise control, electric shock protection, safety under abnormal operation, and mechanical hazard protection.