- 10 -
Plugs and adaptors regulation in force tomorrow
The regulation governing the safety of plugs and adaptors will become effective tomorrow (Thursday) and the sale of all such products not meeting the safety standards prescribed in the regulation will be illegal.
Any person who sells or hires out, or exhibits or keeps for the purpose of sale or hiring out plugs, adaptors or electrical products not meeting the prescribed safety requirements is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 on first conviction, and $100,000 on second or subsequent conviction, in addition to six months' imprisonment.
Announcing this at a press conference this (Wednesday) morning, Chief Engineer (Electricity Legislation) of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), Mr Uy Tat-ping, said the objective of the Plugs and Adaptors (Safety) Regulation was to enhance public safety in the use of plugs and adaptors and electrical products.
Mr Uy pointed out that all plugs and adaptors designed for household use must comply with the safety standards prescribed in the regulation.
"They are the 5AMP/15AMP three-round-pin and the 13AMP three- rectangular-pin plugs and adaptors," he said.
The regulation also requires every electrical product designed for household use be fitted with a correct plug allowed under the regulation.
"Two-pin plugs may only be used for shavers or other electrical products designed to receive power from shaver sockets in a bathroom," Mr Uy stressed.
Mr Uy noted that the regulation did not apply to plugs, adaptors and electrical products that were currently in use.
However, he urged members of the public not to purchase or use electrical products that do not comply with the regulation in order to ensure their own safety.
"Furthermore, should EMSD identify any product that poses unacceptable risk to the user, the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services (DEMS) has the power to prohibit the use of this product," he said.
As regards enforcement of the regulation, Mr Uy said EMSD would carry out random spot checks at supply outlets, including department stores, supermarkets, wholesalers and retailers, to seek substandard products. EMSD would also deal with complaints and accidents related to electrical products.