ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 427.51

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES REGULATIONS

1st May, 2004

LEGAL NOTICE 181 of 2004, as amended by Legal Notice 397 of 2004.

The title of these regulations is the Electrical Accessories

Regulations.

EXCLUDED ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

(in relation to regulation 5(1) of the Electrical Accessories Regulations)

1. Any plug, socket or adaptor which incorporates any other electrical

accessory (other than a fuse link, switch or indicator light).

2. Any plug or socket forming part of a ceiling-rose connector (that is to say a

connector designed to power up overhead electric lighting fittings).

3. Any plug or socket forming part of a luminaire comprising a track system

for electric lights and their fittings.

4. Any non-Maltese plug supplied loose which is manufactured to comply with

the safety provisions of IEC 60884-1 and which is individually marked with or

individually accompanied by -

(a) a conspicuous warning that it is not suitable for connection to a mains

socket in Malta, and

(b) suitable instructions for its intended use.

5. Any non-Maltese plug supplied loose which is manufactured to comply with

a European Standard as subsequently upgraded and which is individually marked

with or individually accompanied by -

(a) a conspicuous warning that it is not suitable for connection to a mains

socket in Malta, and

(b) suitable instructions for its intended use.

6. Any non-Maltese socket-outlet supplied loose which is manufactured to

comply with the safety provisions of IEC 60884-1, and which is individually marked

with or individually accompanied by -

(a) a conspicuous warning that it is not suitable for domestic use in Malta,

and

(b) suitable instructions for its intended use.

7. Any non-Maltese socket-outlet supplied loose which is manufactured to

com pl y w it h a Europea n Sta ndard as sub seque ntl y upg rad ed and wh ich is

individually marked with or individually accompanied by -

(a) a conspicuous warning that it is not suitable for domestic use in Malta,

and

(b) suitable instructions for its intended use.

8. Any non-rewirable or any moulded-on Europlug (that is to say any plug

conforming with MSA EN 50075) which is designed for the purpose of connecting to

a shaver supply unit conforming to MSA EN 60742 or BS 3535: Part 1 any electrical

shaver, toothbrush or similar appliance; and for the purposes of this paragraph the

expression "shaver supply unit" shall have the meaning given to it in MSA EN

60742.

(1)

These regulations shall enter into force on 1st May,

2004. (2) During the period commencing from 15th of May, 2004 and

e n d i n g o n 3 0 t h J u n e , 2 0 0 4 a n y r e s p o n s i b l e p e r s o n m a y,

notwithstanding any other provision of these regulations, place on

the market

(a) electrical accessories and electrical equipment fitted

with electrical accessories in conformity with these

regulations; or

(b) electrical accessories and electrical equipment fitted

with electrical accessories in conformity with the

Electrical Accessories Order, 1991.

(3) After 1st July, 2004, no responsible person shall place on

the market electrical accessories and electrical equipment, which

are not in conformity with these regulations and the provisions of

subregulation (2) shall not as from the 1st July, 2004, be applicable

any longer.

SPECIFIED MALTESE STANDARDS

(in relation to regulation 5(1) and (9) of the Flectrical Accessories Regulations)

(1)

(2)

(3)

Maltese

Item No.

Electrical accessories

Standard

Standard plugs, socket-outlets with which standard MSA BS 1363

plugs may be engaged and 13A adaptors

2-pin reversible plugs and shaver sockets

MSA BS 4573

Fuse links which are suitable for use in a standard plug MSA BS 1362

Adaptors

MSA BS 5733

For the purposes of these regulations, all the definitions of

the Product Safety Act shall apply, and in addition

"electrical accessory" means a device associated with the

electrical wiring of a domestic installation;

"adaptor" means a electrical accessory which may be engaged

with a socket, being an electrical accessory which is designed -

(a) to enable a plug having pins, or other forms of contact,

of different dimensions or configuration to those of the

socket to be engaged with the socket;

(b) to enable more than one plug to be engaged with the

socket; or

(c) to be used for both of the purposes mentioned in

paragraphs (a) and (b);

"13A - adaptor" means a portable adaptor which has been

designed to be engaged with a socket-outlet which conforms to

MSA BS 1363,

"conversion plug" means a device which may be engaged with a

socket-outlet conforming to MSA BS 1363, and which is designed

to enable a non-Maltese plug to be engaged with such a socket;

"cable connector" means an electrical accessory designed to join

flexible cables or cords in such a way that the cables or cords can

be joined and separated without the use of a tool;

"Community" means the European Community;

" c o n f o r m i t y a s s e s s m e n t b o d y" m e a n s a b o d y d e s i g n a t e d

according to the Method for Designating Conformity Assessment

Bodies Regulations, 2003;

"domestic " means in and around the home;

"electrical equipment" means any equipment which is designed

for use with a nominal rated voltage of 230V, 50Hz , and is

intended for the purpose of generation, conversion, transmission,

distribution or utilization of electrical energy;

"electrical equipment coupler" means an accessory designed to

connect a flexible cable or cord to electrical equipment and

consisting of -

(a) a connector which is integral with, or intended to be

attached to, the flexible cable or cord; and

(b) an inlet which is incorporated in or fixed to the

electrical equipment, or intended to be fixed to it;

"fuse element" means that part of a fuse designed to melt when

an excessive current flows into an electrical circuit;

"fuse link" means that part of a fuse including the fuse element

which requires replacement by a new fuse link after the fuse

element has melted, and before the fuse can be put back into

service;

"importer" means any person who imports electrical accessories

produced outside, and imported into Malta, and includes electrical

accessories produced in Malta, exported therefrom, and afterwards

imported thereinto;

"local authorised representative" means any person (or

organisation) established in Malta who has been appointed by the

manufacturer to act on his behalf in carrying out certain tasks

required by these regulations;

"luminaire" means apparatus which distributes, filters or

transforms the light transmitted from one or more lamps and which

i n c l u d e s a l l t h e p a r t s n e c e s s a r y f o r s u pp o r t i n g , f ix i n g a n d

protecting the lamps, together with the means for connecting them

to the supply, but not the lamps themselves;

"manufacturer" means the person who is primarily responsible

for the design and, or construction of electrical accessories so that

these comply with the requirements of these regulations;

"MSA BS 1362" means the Maltese Standard Specification for

general purpose fuse links for domestic and similar purposes

(primarily for use in plugs), MSA BS 1362, as subsequently

upgraded;

"MSA BS 1363" means all the Maltese specifications for 13A

fused plugs and switched and unswitched socket-outlets, as

subsequently upgraded and includes

(a) "MSA BS 1363 part 1" which means the Maltese

Standard for 13 A plugs, socket-outlets and adaptors.

Specification for rewirable and non-rewirable 13 A

fused plugs, MSA BS 1363 part 1, as subsequently

upgraded;

(b) "MSA BS 1363 part 2" which means the Maltese

Standard for 13 A plugs, socket-outlets and adaptors.

Specification for 13 A switched and unswitched

socket-outlets, MSA BS 1363 part 2, as subsequently

upgraded;

(c) "MSA BS 1363 part 3" which means the Maltese

Standard for 13 A plugs, socket-outlets and adaptors.

Specification for adaptors, MSA BS 1363 part 3, as

subsequently upgraded;

"MSA BS 4573" means the Maltese Standard Specification for

two-pin reversible plugs and shaver socket-outlets, MSA BS 4573,

as subsequently upgraded;

"MSA BS 5733" means the Maltese Standard Specification of

general requirements for electrical accessories, MSA BS 5733, as

subsequently upgraded;

"MSA EN 50075" means the Maltese Specification for flat non-

wirable two-pole plugs, 2.5 amp/250 volt, with cord, for the

connection of class II equipment for household and similar

purposes MSA EN 50075, as subsequently upgraded;

IEC 60884-1 (also known as IEC 884-1) means the International

Electrotechnical Commission standard for plugs and socket-outlets

for household and similar purposes published by the International

Electrotechnical Commission as subsequently upgraded;

"non-Maltese plug" means any plug which is not suitable without

adaptation or modification for connection to a mains socket-outlet

designed for use in Malta;

"non-Maltese socket-outlet" means any socket-outlet which is

not suitable without adaptation or modification for connection with

a plug designed for use in Malta;

"person who supplies electrical accessories" means wholesalers,

distributors, retailers and similar trades;

"placing on the market" means the initial action of making

available a product, falling under regulation 4(3)(a) for the first

time on the Maltese market with a view to distribution or use in

Malta;

"plug" means a portable fused or unfused accessory other than a

cable connector or an electrical equipment coupler, having

projecting pins designed to engage with the contacts of a

corresponding socket-outlet and incorporating means for

transmitting an electrical current through a flexible cable or cord

attached to the plug;

"plug transformer" means a power supply unit which carries pins

and can be engaged safely with a socket-outlet made to the

dimensions specified in MSA BS 1363;

"portable multiple socket outlet'' means electrical equipment

which comprises two or more sockets designed and made to

dimensions other than those specified in MSA BS 1363, which is

designed to be connected to a socket conforming to MSA BS 1363

by means of a flexible cable or cord and a plug, and which may be

used without being mounted onto a fixed surface or structure;

"red plug" means a plug which carries three pins substantially

rectangular in forrn, is designed to be engaged with a socket made

to the dimensions specified in MSA BS 1363, and which

incorporates an auxiliary sensing circuit which will automatically

disconnect the main circuit at a predetermined current;

"responsible person" in relation to electrical accessories means

(a) the manufacturer thereof;

(b) the manufacturer’s local authorised representative; or

(c) where the manufacturer is not established in Malta and

he has not appointed a local authorised representative,

the person who places the electrical accessories on the

local market;

"socket-outlet" means an electrical accessory other than a cable

connector, with which a plug may be engaged for the purpose of

connecting to an electrical circuit, whether or not by means of a

switch, electrical equipment to which a plug is attached;

"standard plug" means a plug which carries three pins

substantially rectangular in form and is designed for engagement

with a socket-outlet made to the dimensions specified in MSA BS

1363;

"supply" includes offering to supply, agreeing to supply,

exposing for supply and possessing for supply, and cognate

expressions shall be construed accordingly.

EXCLUDED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

(in relation to regulation 6(1) and (2) of the Electrical Accessories Regulations

1. Any fixed luminaire, being a luminaire which cannot easily be moved from

one place to another, either because it can only be removed with the use of a tool, or

because it is intended for use out of easy reach.

2. Any ceiling-rose connector (that is to say a connector designed to power up

overhead electric lighting fittings).

3. Any electric light designed and intended to be located within a recess in a

wall or ceiling.

4. Any electrical equipment which is fitted with an red plug.

5. Any electrical equipment which is fitted with a plug transformer.

6. Any electrical equipment which is fitted with a plug other than a standard

plug which is designed to engage with a compatible portable multiple socket outlet.

7. Any electrical equipment which is intended to be permanently connected to

the fixed wiring of the mains system other than by means of a plug and socket.

(1) These regulations re-enact with modifications the

provisions of the Electrical Accessories Order, 1991 and make

provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied

in relation to electrical equipment.

1991. (2) In these regulations where there is a requirement in any

provision of these regulations that an electrical accessory shall

conform to a Maltese Standard, including where conformity is

required for approval by a conformity assessment body, such

requirement shall be satisfied if the electrical accessory conforms

to any standard or specification recognised for use in any member

State of the Community or in another Contracting State of the

European Economic Area (EEA) or in Turkey, provided that

conformity to such a standard or specification provides a level of

safety equivalent to that which would be provided by conformity to

the relevant Maltese Standard, and any refer ence to such a

requirement shall be construed accordingly.

(3)

(a) The provisions of these regulations are applicable to

all imported and locally manufactured electrical

accessories, and to those electrical accessories fitted to

electrical equipment which is ordinarily intended for

domestic use.

(b) No person may construct, import, place on the market,

supply or put into service any electrical accessories or

electrical equipment fitted with electrical accessories

which do not comply with the provisions of these

regulations.

(1) Subregulations (2), (3)(a) to (c), (4), (5), (6)(a) and (b),

(7)(a) to (d), (8) and (9) shall apply to the following electrical

accessories namely any plug, socket-outlet or adaptor ordinarily

intended for domestic use at a rated voltage of not less than 200

volts, but does not apply to any electrical accessory specified in

Schedule I.

(2) No person shall supply, offer for supply, agree to supply,

expose for supply or possess for supply an electrical accessory

unless the requirements of subregulation (3) are satisfied in relation

to it.

(3)

(a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), the requirements of

this regulation are that the electrical accessory

complies with the requirements of subregulations (4) to

(7)(d) or (9) as appropriate.

(b) A standard plug shall incorporate a fuse link which

conforms to MSA BS 1362.

(c) A standard plug shall be intended for use in ac circuits

only, operating at rated voltages of not less than 200V

at 50 Hz and for carrying current loads up to 13A.

(4) A standard plug shall be of a type approved by a conformity

assessment body, and in respect of which such approval has not

been cancelled, and in determining applications made to it for such

approval the conformity assessment body shall not grant such

approval unless it is satisfied -

(a) that plugs of that type conform to MSA BS 1363; and

(b) by means of inspection or testing of samples of plugs

of that type, that the manufacturer of the plug may

reasonably be expected to ensure that normal

production and design of the plug will result in plugs

of that type conforming to that standard.

(5) Without prejudice to subregulation (6), where standard

plugs have for the purposes of subregulation (4) been subjected to a

type test as described in MSA BS 1363 and a particular sample has

failed to satisfy the test, then, notwithstanding any provision in the

standard whereby on a successful re-test of a sample such plugs are

deemed to conform to the standard, such plugs shall be treated for

the purposes of this regulation as not conforming to the standard.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (4) and

(5), a type of standard plug may be approved by a conformity

assessment body where plugs of that type do not conform to MSA

BS 1363 if, when determining an application for approval, the

conformity assessment body is satisfied that

(a)

(i)

the plugs are constructed using an alternative

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

method of construction which provides an

equivalent level of safety in respect of any risk

of death or personal injury to plugs which

conform to MSA BS 1363 and is such that plugs

of that type may reasonably be expected to be

safe in use; and

(ii) except in respect of the matter for which

alternative provision is made, plugs of that type

conform to MSA BS 1363; and

(iii) by means of inspection or testing of samples of

plugs of that type, that the manufacturer of the

plug may reasonably be expected to ensure that

normal production and design of the plug will

result in plugs of that type corresponding with

the samples; or

(b) where paragraph (a) does not apply, following

inspection or testing of samples of the plug, that such

plugs may reasonably be expected to be safe in use and

is further satisfied, by inspection or testing of samples,

that the manufacturer of the plug may reasonably be

expected to ensure that normal production and design

of the plug will result in plugs of that type

corresponding with the samples.

(7)

(a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) and subregulation (8),

an approval granted by a conformity assessment body

may be unconditional or subject to such conditions,

which must be complied with if the approval is to

apply, as the conformity assessment body considers

appropriate in relation to the approval of the type of

standard plug in question.

(b) A condition shall be attached to any such approval

requiring the applicant, during the currency of the

approval, to give to the conformity assessment body

granting the approval such notice as may be specified

in the approval of any changes in the standard plugs of

the type approved.

(c) The conditions imposed pursuant to paragraph (a) may

be varied by the conformity assessment body which

granted the approval, and a variation under this

paragraph may include the imposition of new

conditions or the withdrawal of conditions.

(d) Any approval given under subregulation (4) shall

remain in force for seven years or such shorter period

as may be specified in the approval.

(8) Before making an unfavourable decision in respect of an

applicant, that is to say -

(a) refusing to grant approval pursuant to subregulations

(4), (5), (6)(a) and (b) and (7)(a) to (d);

(b) the imposition of a condition on an approval or the

making of a restrictive variation of a condition thereof

pursuant to subregulations (4), (5), (6)(a) and (b),

(7)(a) to (d) in circumstances where the applicant has

not indicated in writing that the type of standard plug

concerned is suitable for use subject to that condition;

or

(c) the cancellation of an approval,

a conformity assessment body shall -

(i)

give notice in writing to the applicant or holder

of the approval concerned, as the case may be,

of the reasons why it proposes to make the

unfavourable decision; and

(ii) give the person to whom notice is given in

subparagraph (i) the opportunity of making

representations within a period of twenty-eight

days of the notice being given as to why that

body should make a favourable decision, and

consider any representations which are made by

that person within that period.

(9) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, any

electrical accessory (other than a standard plug) specified in

column 2 of Schedule II shall conform to the particular Maltese

Standard specified for such accessories in column 3 of that

Schedule.

(1) Subject to subregulation (2), subregulations (3), (4),

(5), (6)(a) to (d), (7) and (8) shall apply to any electrical equipment

which -

(a) is designed to operate at a maximum rated input

current of not more than 13 amperes; and

(b) is designed to be connected by means of a flexible

cable or cord and plug, or itself mainly comprises a

flexible cable or cord designed to be connected by

means of a plug, to a socket-outlet conforming to MSA

BS 1363, and

(c) is ordinarily intended for domestic use.

(2) Subregulations (3), (4), (5), (6)(a) to (d), (7) and (8) shall

not apply to any electrical equipment, within the meaning of

regulation 6(1), specified in Schedule III.

(3) Subject to the provisions of subregulations (4), (5), (6)(a)

to (d), (7) and (8), no person shall supply, offer for supply, agree to

supply, expose for supply or possess for supply any electrical

equipment unless that equipment is correctly fitted with a standard

plug which -

(a) complies with the requirements of regulation 5(4), (5),

(6)(a) and (b), and (7)(a) to (d); and

(b) is fitted with a suitably rated fuse link which conforms

to MSA BS 1362.

(4) Subregulation (3) shall not prohibit any person from

supplying, offering to supply, agreeing to supply, exposing for

supply or possessing for supply any appliance which does not

comply with the requirements of that subregulation but which -

(a) is correctly fitted with a non-Maltese plug which

complies with the safety provisions of IEC 60884-1;

and

(b) is fitted with a conversion plug which complies with

the requirements of subregulation (5) and can only be

removed by the use of a tool.

(5) For the purposes of subregulation (4) and subject to the

provisions of subregulations (6) and (7), a conversion plug shall be

of a type approved by a conformity assessment body for use in

conjunction with a non-Maltese plug which complies with the

safety provisions of IEC 60884-l, and in respect of which such

approval has not been cancelled, and in determining applications

made to it for such approval the conformity assessment body shall

not grant such approval unless it is satisfied -

(a) that, when used in conjunction with such a non-

Maltese plug and when connected to a mains socket-

outlet that -

(i) conforms to BS 1363 and,

(ii) forms part of or is otherwise electrically

connected to a domestic electrical installation in

Malta,

conversion plugs of that type provide a level of safety

equivalent to a standard plug which satisfies the

requirements of regulation 5(4), (5), (6)(a) and (b), (7)

(a) to (d); and

(b) by means of inspection or testing of samples, that the

manufacturer of the conversion plug may reasonably

be expected to ensure that normal production and

design of the conversion plug will result in conversion

plugs of that type corresponding with the samples.

(6)

(a) Subject to paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), an approval of a

type of conversion plug granted by a conformity

assessment body may be unconditional or subject to

such conditions, which must be complied with if the

approval is to apply, as the body considers appropriate

in relation to the approval of the type of conversion

plug in question.

(b) A condition shall be attached to any such approval

requiring the applicant, during the currency of the

approval, to give to the conformity assessment body

granting the approval such notice as may be specified

in the approval of any changes in the conversion plugs

of the type approved.

(c) The conditions imposed pursuant to paragraph (a) may

be varied by the conformity assessment body which

granted the approval, and variation under this

regulation may include the imposition of new

conditions or the withdrawal of conditions.

(d) Before making an unfavourable decision in respect of

an applicant, that is to say -

(i)

refusing to grant approval pursuant to

subregulation (5);

(ii) the imposition of a condition on an approval or

the making of a restrictive variation of a

condition thereof pursuant to paragraphs (a) to

(c) in circumstances where the applicant has not

indicated in writing that the type of conversion

plug concerned is suitable for use subject to that

condition; or

(iii) the cancellation of an approval,

a conformity assessment body shall -

(1) give notice in writing to the applicant or holder

of the approval concerned, as the case may be,

of the reasons why it proposes to make the

unfavourable decision; and

(2) give the person to whom notice is given in

subparagraph (1) the opportunity of making

representations within a period of twenty-eight

days of the notice being given as to why that

conformity assessment body should make a

favourable decision, and consider any

representations which are made by that person

within that period.

(7) Any approval given under subregulation (5) shall remain in

force for seven years or for such shorter period as may be specified

in the approval.

(8) Subregulation (3) shall not prohibit any person from

possessing for supply at any time before it is supplied, offered for

supply or exposed for supply in Malta for the first time, or before it

is agreed for the first time to supply it in Malta, any electrical

equipment which has been imported into Malta and which does not

comply with the requirements of that regulation.

(1) No person shall supply, offer for supply, agree to

supply, expose for supply or possess for supply any electrical

accessory, namely any plug, socket-outlet, adaptor, or conversion

plug in respect of which the requirements of subregulations (2), (3),

(4) and (5) are not satisfied.

(2) A standard plug or conversion plug of a type approved by a

conformity assessment body in accordance with these regulations

shall be legibly marked with, or bear a label legibly marked with,

words, marks or abbreviations clearly signifying approval by and

identifying the body which approved the type in question.

(3) Without prejudice to any requirement of any Maltese,

European or International Standard, where it is necessary for the

safe operation of any electrical accessory that the user should be

aware of any particular characteristic of the accessory, the

necessary information shall be given by markings on the accessory

itself or, where this is not practicable, in a notice accompanying the

accessory.

(4) It shall not be sufficient compliance with this regulation to

give information in a language other than Maltese or English.

(5) Information shall not be given in connection with any

standard plug or conversion plug by means of a misleading mark or

otherwise which purports to indicate or might reasonably be

mistaken for an indication that the plug is of a type approved by a

particular conformity assessment body or (in the case of a standard

plug) conforms to MSA BS 1363, when the plug is not so approved

or does not so conform to the standard, or when any approval has

been cancelled.

These regulations have been notified in terms of Directive

98/34/CE as amended by Directive 98/48/CE as transposed by the

Notification Procedure Regulations, 2003.

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

Any travel adaptor (that is to say an adaptor which enables a plug intended

for use in Malta to be connected to a socket used outside Malta).