[ S.L.427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES REGULATIONS 1st May, 2004 LEGAL NOTICE 181 of 2004, as amended by Legal Notice 397 of 2004. 1. The title of these regulations is the Electrical Accessories Regulations. Citation. 2.
(1)2004. Commencement. These regulations shall enter into force on 1st May,
(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. 3. 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; Definitions. Cap. 427. 1 2 [ S.L.427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES "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; S.L. 427.45 " 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: ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES [ S.L.427.51 (
- 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 nonwirable 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; 3 4 [ S.L.427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES "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. Scope and applicability. Amended by: L.N. 397 of 2004. Order No. M30 of 1991. 4.
(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.
(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 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES [ S.L.427.51 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. 5.
(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 Essential requirements for plugs, socketoutlets, etc. 5 6 [ S.L.427.51 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),
(7)(
- a)to (d); (
- b)the imposition of a condition on an approval or the making of a restrictive variation of a condition thereof ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES [ S.L.427.51 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. 6.
(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 Essential requirements for electrical equipment fitted with accessories. 7 8 [ S.L.427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES 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 nonMaltese plug and when connected to a mains socketoutlet 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. ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES [ S.L.427.51 (
- 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. 7.
(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 Information requirements. 9 10 [ S.L.427.51 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES 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. Notification. 8. 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 [ S.L.427.51 11 SCHEDULE I 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. 9. 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). [ S.L.427.51 12 ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES SCHEDULE II SPECIFIED MALTESE STANDARDS (in relation to regulation 5
(1)and
(9)of the Flectrical Accessories Regulations)
(1)
(2)Item No. 1 2 3 4
(3)Maltese 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 SCHEDULE III EXCLUDED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (in relation to regulation 6
(1)and
(2)of the Electrical Accessories Regulations
- 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.
- Any ceiling-rose connector (that is to say a connector designed to power up overhead electric lighting fittings).
- Any electric light designed and intended to be located within a recess in a wall or ceiling.
- Any electrical equipment which is fitted with an red plug.
- Any electrical equipment which is fitted with a plug transformer.
- 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.
- 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.