The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016

Importers U.K.

Prohibition on placing on the market electrical equipment which is not in conformity U.K.

15.  An importer must not place electrical equipment on the market unless it is in conformity with Part 2.

Requirements which must be satisfied before an importer places electrical equipment on the market E+W+S

16.  Before placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must ensure that—

(a) the conformity assessment procedure set out in Schedule 2 has been carried out;

(b) the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation;

(c) the electrical equipment bears the [F1 UK] marking; and

(d) the manufacturer has complied with the requirements of regulation 8 (labelling of electrical equipment).

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in reg. 16(c) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 10 (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Requirements which must be satisfied before an importer places electrical equipment on the market N.I.

16.  Before placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must ensure that—

(a) the conformity assessment procedure set out in Schedule 2 has been carried out;

(b) the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation;

(c) the electrical equipment bears the CE marking; and

(d) the manufacturer has complied with the requirements of regulation 8 (labelling of electrical equipment).

Extent Information

E5 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Prohibition on placing on the market electrical equipment considered not to be in conformity with the safety objectives U.K.

17.—(1) Where an importer considers, or has reason to believe, that electrical equipment is not in conformity with the principal elements of the safety objectives, the importer must not place the electrical equipment on the market.

(2) Where the electrical equipment presents a risk, the importer must inform the manufacturer and the market surveillance authority of that risk.

Information identifying importer E+W+S

18.—(1) Before placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must indicate on the electrical equipment—

(a) the name, registered trade name or registered trade mark of the importer; and

(b) a postal address at which the importer can be contacted.

(2) The information specified in paragraph (1) must be in a language easily understood by end-users and the market surveillance authority F2 ....

[F3 (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply where—

(a) either—

(i) it is not possible to set out the information referred to in paragraph (1) on the electrical equipment; or

(ii) the importer has imported the electrical equipment from an EEA state or Switzerland and places it on the market within the period of [F4 seven years] beginning with IP completion day; and

(b) before placing the electrical equipment on the market, the importer sets out the information referred to in paragraph (1)—

(i) on the packaging; or

(ii) in a document accompanying the electrical equipment.]

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in reg. 18(2) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 11(a) (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F3 Reg. 18(3) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 11(b) (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by: S.I. 2019/1246, regs. 1(3), 5, 7(1); S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2; S.I. 2020/852, regs. 2(2), 4(2), Sch. 1 para. 1(l)(iii); and S.I. 2020/1460, reg. 1(4), Sch. 3 para. 2(1)(h)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F4 Words in reg. 18(3)(a)(ii) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2022) by The Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1393), regs. 1(1), 4, Sch. 3 para. (j)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Reg. 18 modified (temp.) by S.I. 2019/392, reg. 6 (as inserted (10.9.2019) by The Product Safety, Metrology and Mutual Recognition Agreement (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1246), regs. 1(2)(4), 2(3) (with reg. 18))

Information identifying importer N.I.

18.—(1) Before placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must indicate on the electrical equipment—

(a) the name, registered trade name or registered trade mark of the importer; and

(b) a postal address at which the importer can be contacted.

(2) The information specified in paragraph (1) must be in a language easily understood by end-users and the market surveillance authority in the [F9 relevant state] in which it is to be made available to such end-users.

(3) Where it is not possible to indicate the information specified in paragraph (1) on the electrical equipment, the importer must indicate that information—

(a) on the packaging; or

(b) in a document accompanying the electrical equipment.

Extent Information

E6 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in reg. 18(2) substituted (N.I.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1112), reg. 1(b), Sch. 11 para. 3(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Reg. 18 modified (temp.) by S.I. 2019/392, reg. 6 (as inserted (10.9.2019) by The Product Safety, Metrology and Mutual Recognition Agreement (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1246), regs. 1(2)(4), 2(3) (with reg. 18))

[F5 Instructions and safety information E+W+S

19.   When placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must ensure that it is accompanied by instructions and safety information that are clear, legible and in easily understandable English.]

Extent Information

E3 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F5 Reg. 19 substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 12 (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Instructions and safety information N.I.

19.—(1) When placing electrical equipment on the market, an importer must ensure that it is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users.

(2) Where the electrical equipment is placed on the market in [F10 Northern Ireland], the language referred to in paragraph (1) must be English.

Extent Information

E7 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in reg. 19(2) substituted (N.I.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1112), reg. 1(b), Sch. 11 para. 3(2)

Storage and transport of electrical equipment U.K.

20.  Where an importer has responsibility for electrical equipment, the importer must ensure that the conditions under which it is stored or transported do not jeopardise its conformity with the principal elements of the safety objectives.

Retention of technical documentation and [F6 EU] declaration of conformity U.K.

21.  An importer must, for a period of 10 years beginning on the day on which electrical equipment is placed on the market, keep and, upon request, make available to an enforcing authority the following in relation to the electrical equipment—

(a) a copy of the [F7 EU] declaration of conformity; and

(b) the technical documentation.

Textual Amendments

F6 Word in reg. 21 heading omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 13 (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F7 Word in reg. 21(a) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 13 (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Monitoring U.K.

22.—(1) Where appropriate, having regard to the risks to the health and safety of consumers presented by electrical equipment, the importer must—

(a) carry out sample testing of electrical equipment made available on the market by the importer;

(b) investigate complaints that electrical equipment made available on the market by the importer is not in conformity with Part 2;

(c) keep a register of—

(i) complaints that electrical equipment is not in conformity with Part 2;

(ii) electrical equipment which is found not to be in conformity with Part 2; and

(iii) electrical equipment recalls; and

(d) keep distributors informed of any monitoring carried out under this regulation.

(2) The importer must keep an entry made in the register for a period of at least 10 years beginning on the day on which the obligation to make the entry arose.

Duty to take action in respect of electrical equipment placed on the market which is considered not to be in conformity E+W+S

23.—(1) An importer who considers, or has reason to believe, that electrical equipment which that importer has placed on the market is not in conformity with Part 2 must immediately take the corrective measures necessary to—

(a) bring that electrical equipment into conformity;

(b) withdraw the electrical equipment; or

(c) recall the electrical equipment.

(2) Where the electrical equipment presents a risk, the importer must immediately inform the market surveillance authority F8 ... of the risk, giving details of—

(a) the respect in which the electrical equipment is considered not to be in conformity with Part 2; and

(b) any corrective measures taken.

Extent Information

E4 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in reg. 23(2) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 23 para. 14 (with Sch. 23 para. 30) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Duty to take action in respect of electrical equipment placed on the market which is considered not to be in conformity N.I.

23.—(1) An importer who considers, or has reason to believe, that electrical equipment which that importer has placed on the market is not in conformity with Part 2 must immediately take the corrective measures necessary to—

(a) bring that electrical equipment into conformity;

(b) withdraw the electrical equipment; or

(c) recall the electrical equipment.

(2) Where the electrical equipment presents a risk, the importer must immediately inform the market surveillance authority and the competent national authorities of any other [F11 relevant state] in which the manufacturer made the electrical equipment available on the market of the risk, giving details of—

(a) the respect in which the electrical equipment is considered not to be in conformity with Part 2; and

(b) any corrective measures taken.

Extent Information

E8 This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in reg. 23(2) substituted (N.I.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1112), reg. 1(b), Sch. 11 para. 3(3)

Provision of information and cooperation U.K.

24.—(1) Following a request from an enforcing authority, and within such period as the authority may specify, an importer must provide the authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate that electrical equipment is in conformity with Part 2.

(2) A request referred to in paragraph (1)—

(a) may only be made during the period of 10 years beginning on the day the importer places the equipment on the market; and

(b) must be accompanied by the reasons for making the request.

(3) The information referred to in paragraph (1)—

(a) may be provided electronically; and

(b) must be in a language which can be easily understood by the enforcing authority.

(4) An importer must, at the request of the enforcing authority, cooperate with that authority on any action taken to—

(a) evaluate electrical equipment in accordance with regulation 44 (evaluation of electrical equipment presenting a risk); or

(b) eliminate the risks posed by electrical equipment which the importer has placed on the market.