Three-pin, two-pin plugs - what does the law say?

Recently I have been focusing on the "three-pin, two-pin" plugs issue and gave due recognition to those suppliers who are willing to supply all electric appliances with three-pin plugs whether or not they are legally obliged to do so. I made a concerted effort to emphasise the importance of market forces.

Basically, at a time when they were not legally obliged to do so, Aplan Ltd and the Phoenix Group made a commitment (which they honoured) to guarantee that they would supply all electric products with a three-pin plug. The crux of the matter is that the Electrical Accessories Regulations, 2004 (Legal Notice 181 of 2004. issued by virtue of the Product Safety Act, Cap. 427) were published in the Government Gazette No. 17,571 of April 23. These "new" regulations entered into force on May 1, allowing a transitional period up to June 30 for electrical accessories and electrical equipment to be fitted with electrical accessories in conformity with the "old" Electrical Accessories Order No. M30 of 1991 to continue to be placed on the market.

With effect from July 1, LN 181 will be the sole legal instrument in Malta which, together with the Low Voltage Electrical Equipment Regulations, 2002 (LN 367 of 2002, the CE marking Regulations) guarantees that all electrical equipment placed on the market is safe for its intended purpose.

I have spoken with Ing. Anthony Camilleri, head, Consumer and Industrial Goods Directorate, Malta Standards Authority. He informed me that it is no longer a question of "market forces" that should drive us customers "to those shops/outlets who are willing to fulfil our expectations accordingly" but a mandatory requirement imposed today on all economic operators (after extensively being consulted) by the authorities to provide any domestic electrical equipment (which is intended to be used by connection to a 13A socket outlet) either directly with the 13A plug or, if supplied with another type of plug such as a two-pin plug, to be provided with the permissible "conversion" plug secured to the original plug so that both become one integral thing; in both instances, a suitably rated fuse link must be fitted.

In MSA's opinion, this issue must not be used as a "marketing" tool but merely to stress that, whoever is not already following these rules, is in breach of LN 181 of 2004 and is liable to prosecution by virtue of the Product Safety Act, Cap. 427.

If you have any queries on this issue, need technical advice, or lodge any complaint, you can contact Ing. Camilleri at the Malta Standards Authority, 2nd Floor, Evans Building, Merchants Street, Valletta VLT 03, tel: 2125-5545/2124-2420, fax: 2124-2406, e-mail: anthony.camilleri@msa.org.mt Website: www.msa.org.mt and/or the Consumer and Competition Division, Triq il-Kukkanja, St Venera, tel: 2144-6250/5, fax: 2144-3184, 2149-6893; e-mail: fair.trading@gov.mt Website: http://mfea.gov.mt