Plugs and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994, SI 1994 No. 1768

Subject Area

The Regulations apply to electrical plugs, sockets and adaptors ordinarily intended for domestic use at a voltage of not less than 200 volts and to fuse links suitable for use with such plugs and adaptors. They also require that most domestic electrical products must be supplied correctly fitted with a fused and approved UK three-pin plug (BS 1363) or approved "conversion plug", i.e. a device which may be engaged with a socket conforming to BS 1363 and which is designed to enable a non-UK plug to be engaged with such a socket.

Coverage

The legislation relates specifically to domestic appliances. It may be used as good guidance for the workplace in many applications.

Intention of Legislation

Most electrical equipment intended for use in and around the home will need to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. Additionally the Regulations require that the majority of such equipment, when placed on the UK market, must be fitted with a standard plug. A standard plug is of a type that has been approved by a notified body and either conforms to BS 1363 or offers an equivalent level of safety. A standard plug will be fitted with a fuse link, which conforms to BS 1362.

As an alternative to fitting a standard plug, it is permissible, if the appliance is correctly fitted with a non-UK plug which complies with the provisions of international standard IEC 884-1, to be fitted with a "conversion plug" that has been approved for use in conjunction with the non-UK plug. The "conversion plug" must enclose the non-UK plug, and must only be removable by the use of a tool. The "conversion plug" must be approved by a notified body.

Certain electrical appliances are excluded from the Regulations: Please see Part II Regulation 11 and Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

Implementing Legislation

The Regulations are a national regulation and apply only to the UK market.

The Regulations can be viewed and purchased from the OPSI website.

For information on similar regulations relating to the various Member States of the European Union contact the BERR Country Desk or BSI who will be able to assist you:

BERR: Action Single Market, Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Kingsgate House, 66 - 74 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6SW, tel: 020 7215 5000

BSI: The British Standards Institution, Electrical Section, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL, tel: 020 8996 7021

Trading Standards: The Regulations are enforced by the Local Authority Trading Standards Department. No specific written guidance is available. Suppliers seeking advice should contact their Local Authorities' Trading Standards Departments.

Notified Bodies: As to which bodies are notified bodies and route to appointment see definition of Notified Bodies in Regulation 3 (1) "Interpretation" and Regulation 7.

Notified Bodies are responsible for the approval of standard plugs and "conversion plugs".

Current Position

On 30 October 2006 we published a consultation on draft regulations to replace the Regulations. Responses were required by 22nd January 2007. Our response was published in May 2007.

Guidance / Further Information

A comprehensive guidance booklet is available from the link on the right. You can order a hard copy online via BERR Publications

For further information contact: Gigi Pardesi at the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Bay 384, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET, Tel: 020 7215 1323, fax: 020 7215 2635, e-mail: gigi.pardesi@berr.gsi.gov.uk

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