The EU Commission is proposing a new directive on Low Voltage Directive, which will effect the operations of:

¤ Manufacturers of electrical equipment that operate at very low voltages (including battery-operated equipment, like torches, watches, 12V halogen lights, laptop computers, electronic equipment for cars, electric bicycles);

¤ Manufacturers of electrical parts that are to be incorporated in such equipment; and

¤ Importers of such equipment/ parts.

The new directive aims to align the Low Voltage Directive with the principles of the new approach, and to extend the scope of the directive by removing the lower voltage limit.

The new directive proposes that the manufacturer of such equipment would be obliged to conduct a risk assessment and the directive explicitly mentions hazards like acoustic noise, hygiene conditions, hazards arising due to the aging of materials and non-ionising radiation.

The EU proposal also stipulates that electricity metres and electric fence controllers would also fall within the scope of the new directive. Furthermore, should a manufacturer not be established within the community, then the name and address of the importer or authorised representative of low voltage electrical equipment must accompany the product.

To explain the current and future implications of this directive on operations, the FOI, with the co-operation of the Malta Standards Authority (MSA), will be organising an information meeting for FOI members on September 29, at 2 p.m.

FOI council member Godwin C. Micallef, who represents the FOI on the MSA board, will be chairing this event, which will also be addressed by Ing. Joseph Micallef from the MSA Consumer and Industrial Goods Directorate.

All FOI members may attend the meeting free of charge; booking in advance is recommended due to seating restrictions. For more information contact the FOI Secretariat.

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