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Action against selling of substandard plugs and adaptors
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) will take action against people who still sell substandard plugs and adaptors, a spokesman for the department warned today (Sunday).
The Plugs and Adaptors (Safety) Regulation which came into effect on March 23, ban the sale of all such products not meeting the safety standards prescribed in the regulation.
The spokesman said EMSD had so far inspected 149 shops for substandard electrical products since the regulation was enforced.
"Of these, 39 shops were found still supplying plugs, adaptors or electrical products which fail to comply with the regulation.
"Warning letters have been served to these suppliers and prosecution against the serious offenders is being considered," he said.
The maximum penalty for the offence, is a fine of $50,000 on first conviction and a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for six months on subsequent conviction.
The spokesman also noted that there was a common misconception that the new statutory requirement to replace the two-pin plugs of the household electrical products with suitable three-pin plugs could not provide adequate protection because there was still no earthing connection after the replacement.
He pointed out that not every type of electrical product requires earthing connection.
"Some electrical products which are provided with double or reinforced insulation do not require earthing connection.
"The major objective of the requirement to replace two- pin plugs of household electrical products with suitable three-pin plugs is to make sure the plugs compatible with the three-pin-hole sockets in Hong Kong so that the hazards such as loose electrical contact can be eliminated," the spokesman explained.
End/Sunday, April 23, 1995
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