Exceptions to Product Approval Requirements

You must get approval for electrical products sold or used in Ontario, according to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code Rule 2-022. The following are exceptions:  

(a) Electrical equipment displayed at trade shows

You may only display unapproved equipment at trade shows in Ontario or use it for demonstration purposes; you may not sell it. You must first get permission from ESA to show or to energize this equipment. Download the application forms “Permission to Show” and “Permission to Energize” from the Forms page. 

(b) Electrical equipment connected to the output of an approved Class 2 power supply or equal 

You don’t need approval for electrical equipment connected to the output of:

  • an approved Class 2 power supply (certified to CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 223, or both CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 66.1 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 66.3). The output of this power supply may not exceed 100 VA, with the operating voltage not more than 30 V rms, 42.4 V peak, or 60 V dc
  • a limited power supply certified to CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1

Approval is still need for: 

  • Luminaires. These are complete lighting units designed to connect the lamp(s) to circuit conductors. The light source may be an incandescent, halogen, or LED lamp or module, or as specified in CSA standards.
  • Decorative lighting strings, signs, or displays. A lighting string is a factory-assembled series, series-parallel, or parallel string of lamps. The string consists of an attachment plug or current tap, lampholders, lamps, wire, and an overcurrent protection. The string may include a cord connector, a controller, or individual lamp shades or diffusers over each individual lamp. A lighting string is intended for decorative effect.
  • Medical electrical equipment. (Note: Such equipment used in a veterinary practice is not considered medical electrical equipment.)
  • Equipment for hazardous locations. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code defines these under Sections 18 and 20.
  • Equipment that incorporates heating elements.
  • Lighting equipment that incorporates LEDs.

Note: If the power supply is an integral part of the equipment, then the equipment would be approved according to Canadian standards. An example would be equipment within an enclosure with other electronic components or assemblies.

(c) Portable battery-operated equipment 

You don’t need approval for battery-operated, portable electrical equipment unless it is:

  • located in hazardous locations; 
  • used to test, measure or show one or more electrical quantities and marked as Category III or IV.

You don’t need approval for equipment in hazardous locations powered by at most two button-cell batteries (such as electronic wristwatches, hearing aids, or calculators). This is because they can’t cause ignition under normal conditions.

For battery-operated medical devices as defined by the Food and Drugs Act, see Health Canada’s approval requirements. 

(d) Equipment designed for use outside Ontario

You don’t need approval for electrical equipment intended solely for use outside Ontario, because no applicable Canadian standard or certification program applies. An example would be travel adapter plugs for using electrical equipment overseas.

(e) Fluorescent and HID lamps, not self-ballasted

There is no Canadian / North American standard or certification program covering approval for these types of lamps.

(f) Revenue billing devices and electricity meters

You don’t need approval for Revenue billing devices or meters used by Local Distribution Companies and licensed by the Ontario Energy Board. You do need approval for electricity meters not owned by utility companies and used within the scope of the Code.

This is a simplified version of the Exceptions to Product Approval Requirements. View more detailed requirements with supporting Ontario Electrical Safety Code references here.