The Ontario Electrical Safety Code is a provincial regulation that sets safety standards for the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment. It is mainly a technical document aimed at enforcing safety standards. Revisions to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code are made through consultation at both the provincial and national level, and through the Electrical Safety Authority and its safety partners. 

Yes. The law requires that all electrical installations in Ontario meet the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. If you perform electrical work in Ontario, you should have a current copy of the 2021 Ontario Electrical Safety Code. 

The 2021 edition of the OESC includes the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I plus several Ontario-specific amendments.  This new edition includes changes designed to enhance electrical safety and protect workers and the public. 

In addition to specific Ontario administrative requirements, there are also technical differences.

The Ontario amendments are identified by a black trillium symbol (below) and the Ontario text is in italics. A list of the Ontario amendments is also provided in the Ontario Electrical Safety Code section of the ESA website.

The new 2021 Code(28^th Edition) is now available for purchase. The electronic and PDF-version are available for $199. Once purchased, the PDF-version can be accessed immediately. The hard copy of the Code book will be available in late January 2022 for $223. These prices include free access to the bulletins on CSA Community of Interest website over the whole period of the Code cycle. 

ESA partners with the CSA Group to offer the Code book and all ESA bulletins – which provide important updates and interpretations – together for one price in a searchable, digital format for $199 – accessible on smart phones, tablets and desktops and compatible with Windows and iOS. The bulletin package will be available in May 2022. 

To order a copy of the OESC, please visit csa.org/oesc or call 800-463-6727. 

Yes, Ontario-specific amendments based on the 2018 Ontario Electrical Safety Code are available in French on ESA’s website. The national version of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, is available in French and English, and can be purchased through CSA Group. 

2021 French amendments will be available soon.

The Ontario Electrical Safety Code book is 8 ½ x 11 inches, spiral-bound. The Pocket Reference guide is 4 x 6 ¼ inches.

Call the CSA Group at 800-463-6727 and ask for a replacement. CSA Group will ship the replacement at no charge.