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ELECTRIC.IE
• The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry •
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Electrical Equipment Regulations ....
Are you in compliance?
I
f you are manufacturing,
importing or selling any electrical
equipment that is designed for use
with a voltage rating of between
50 and 1,000 volts for alternating
current and between 75 and 1,500
volts for direct current you should
be aware of the new Electrical
Equipment Regulations. The
purpose of the Regulations is to
ensure that electrical items such as
mobile phone or laptop chargers,
electrical appliances, household
switches and power supply units
are safe and do not pose a risk
to the consumers who use them.
The Competition and Consumer
ȋ
Ȍ
the market surveillance authority
responsible for the safety of certain
electrical goods in Ireland. To help
some of the main requirements;
Manufacturer Obligations
A ‘manufacturer’ under the
Regulations is any individual
or business established in
the European Economic Area
ȋ Ȍ
electrical equipment, or who has
electrical equipment designed
or manufactured, and markets
the resulting product under their
name or trademark.
x
Manufacturers must ensure that
electrical equipment they place
on the market has been designed
and manufactured in accordance
with the safety objectives
referred to in the Regulations,
x
They must ensure that a
conformity assessment is carried
out and draw up the technical
documentation,
x
Manufacturers are responsible
ƥ
product in accordance with the
Regulations,
x
Ensure that products are
accompanied by instructions,
safety information and labelling
that is in clear and intelligible
language.
Distributors Obligations
A ‘distributor’ is any person
or business, other than the
manufacturer or the importer,
who makes electrical equipment
available on the market.
x
The distributor must ensure
that the electrical equipment
bears a CE marking and that it
is accompanied by the required
documents, instructions and
safety information, and that the
manufacturer and importer has
provided the correct traceability
information,
x
ǡ
distributors must provide all
documentation and information
necessary to demonstrate
the conformity of electrical
equipment to the Regulations,
x
In addition, distributors must
Ǧ
any action required to remove
risks posed by non-compliant
electrical equipment.
Importer Obligations
An ‘importer’ is any individual
or business established within
the EEA who imports electrical
equipment from another country
to place on the market.
x
Importers must ensure that
the products they place on
the market comply with the
Regulations and that the
manufacturer has complied with
their duties,
x
The importer must be certain
that electrical equipment they
supply is stored and transported
in conditions that do not
jeopardise its compliance with
the safety objectives of the
Regulations,
x
The importer may also be
required to carry out sample
testing of the electrical
equipment to ensure that the
products do conform to the
standards of the Regulations.
Most importantly, if a
manufacturer, distributor
or importer has reason to
believe that products they
have placed on the market are
not compliant, they must take
immediate corrective measures
to bring it into conformity,
withdraw or recall it and
immediately advise the CCPC
.
The consequences of breaching
the Electrical Equipment
Regulations
Where a product is found not
to comply with the Regulations
and could pose a serious risk
ǡ
number of enforcement powers
it can use to address the breach.
These include the power to remove
and detain electrical equipment,
issue a Contravention Notice or a
ǡ
can bring criminal proceedings
through the courts. More
information about the Regulations
can be found on the Competition
Commission’s website:
ccpc.ie.
The preceding information is not a
substitute for legal advice and the
CCPC strongly recommends that
any trader seek independent legal
advice if they are unsure of their
obligations.
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