UK Statutory Instrument
2016
United Kingdom
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
51 compliance obligations, 5 practical guides
Penalty landscape
13 of 51 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 38 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Manufacturer 29
- Distributor 6
- Operator 5
- Any Person 3
Plus 8 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
2 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Manufacturers also bound by 472 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 2016 91 duties
- Lifts Regulations 2016 2016 70 duties
- The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 2021 70 duties
- Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 2016 67 duties
- Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 2015 64 duties
Distributors also bound by 177 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (England) Regulations 2017 2017 28 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) Regulations 2017 2017 26 duties
- The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 2017 25 duties
- Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 2002 21 duties
- THE ELECTRICITY SAFETY, QUALITY AND CONTINUITY REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 2012 2012 19 duties
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — Preliminary
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Electrical equipment to which these Regulations apply
Designated standard
Part 2 — Obligations of economic operators
Design and manufacture in accordance with safety objectives
- Ensure electrical equipment meets safety objectives before market placement Manufacturer
Technical documentation and conformity assessment
- Create technical documentation and assess electrical equipment safety Manufacturer
Declaration of conformity and UK marking
- Draw up a declaration of conformity and affix UK marking before placing electrical equipment on the market Manufacturer
Retention of technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity
- Keep technical and conformity records for 10 years Manufacturer
Labelling of electrical equipment
- Label electrical equipment with identification and manufacturer contact details Manufacturer
Instructions and safety information
2 years imprisonment- Provide clear English instructions and safety info with electrical equipment Manufacturer
Compliance procedures for series production
- Maintain compliance procedures for mass-produced electrical equipment Manufacturer
Monitoring
2 years imprisonment- Monitor the safety of electrical equipment on the market Manufacturer
Duty to take action in respect of electrical equipment placed on the market which is considered not to be in conformity
- Fix, withdraw, or recall unsafe electrical equipment Manufacturer
Provision of information and cooperation
- Provide information and cooperate with enforcing authorities Manufacturer
Manufacturer's authorised representatives
2 years imprisonment- Formally appoint a UK authorised representative Manufacturer
Prohibition on placing on the market electrical equipment which is not in conformity
2 years imprisonment- Do not import non-compliant electrical equipment Manufacturer
Requirements which must be satisfied before an importer places electrical equipment on the market
- Verify manufacturer compliance before importing electrical equipment Manufacturer
Prohibition on placing on the market electrical equipment considered not to be in conformity with the safety objectives
- Do not sell electrical equipment that is unsafe or non-compliant Manufacturer
Information identifying importer
- Mark your business name and address on imported electrical equipment Manufacturer
Instructions and safety information
2 years imprisonment- Provide clear English instructions and safety info with electrical equipment Manufacturer
Storage and transport of electrical equipment
2 years imprisonment- Protect electrical equipment during storage and transport Manufacturer
Retention of technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity
- Keep technical and conformity records for 10 years Manufacturer
Monitoring
- Monitor the safety of electrical equipment you import Manufacturer
Duty to take action in respect of electrical equipment placed on the market which is considered not to be in conformity
2 years imprisonment- Address unsafe or non-compliant electrical equipment and notify authorities Manufacturer
Provision of information and cooperation
- Provide conformity documentation and cooperate with enforcement authorities Manufacturer
Duty to act with due care
2 years imprisonment- Ensure electrical equipment meets safety standards before selling Distributor
Requirements which must be satisfied before a distributor makes electrical equipment available on the market
- Verify safety markings and documentation before selling electrical equipment Distributor
Prohibition on making available on the market where electrical equipment considered not to be in conformity with safety objectives
- Stop selling electrical equipment that is unsafe or non-compliant Distributor
Storage and transport of electrical equipment
- Maintain safety during storage and transport of electrical equipment Distributor
Duty to take action in respect of electrical equipment made available on the market which is considered not to be in conformity
- Fix, withdraw, or recall unsafe electrical equipment Distributor
Provision of information and cooperation
- Provide information and cooperate with enforcement authorities on electrical equipment Distributor
Translation of declaration of conformity
- Translate the declaration of conformity for electrical equipment Operator
Identification of economic operators
- Identify suppliers and customers of electrical equipment upon request Operator
Prohibition on improper use of UK marking
- Use the UK marking correctly on electrical equipment Operator
Safe connection of electrical equipment intended for use in the United Kingdom
- Ensure electrical equipment has a compatible UK plug or safe adapter Operator
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Cases in which obligations of manufacturers apply to importers and distributors
Further use of UK marking
Obligations which are met by complying with obligations in the Directive
Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods
Part 3 — Conformity assessment
Declaration of conformity
- Create and maintain a formal Declaration of Conformity Manufacturer
Browse 3 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 4 — Market surveillance and enforcement
Enforcement
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Trading Standards and the OPSS must enforce electrical safety rules Statutory regulator
Exercise of enforcement powers
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcing authorities must follow statutory procedures when taking action Statutory regulator
Evaluation of electrical equipment presenting a risk
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must evaluate electrical equipment suspected of being a risk Statutory regulator
Enforcement action in respect of electrical equipment which is not in conformity and which presents a risk
2 years imprisonmentOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must take enforcement action against unsafe electrical equipment Statutory regulator
Union safeguard procedure
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must coordinate safety measures with EU authorities Crown / Minister / Government department
Enforcement action in respect of electrical equipment which is in conformity, but presents a risk
2 years imprisonmentOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators may require correction, withdrawal, or recall of safe equipment Statutory regulator
Restrictive measures
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must follow specific procedures when restricting electrical equipment Statutory regulator
Offences
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with electrical equipment safety requirements Any Person
Compensation
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcing authorities must pay compensation for wrongful enforcement notices Statutory regulator
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Designation of market surveillance authority
Enforcement powers
Enforcement action in cases of formal non-compliance
Penalties
Defence of due diligence
Liability of persons other than principal offender
Time limit for prosecution of offences
Service of documents
Recovery of expenses of enforcement
Action by enforcing authority
Appeals against notices
Appropriate court for appeals against notices
Part 5 — Miscellaneous
Browse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Review
Transitional provisions and savings
Revocations and amendments
Schedule 7 (consequential amendments) has effect.
Transitional provision in relation to EU Exit
Schedules
Principal elements of the safety objectives for electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits
2 years imprisonment- Ensure electrical equipment meets essential safety objectives Manufacturer
Conformity Assessment Procedure
- Create technical files and declarations for electrical equipment Manufacturer
Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive and the Office for Nuclear Regulation under the 1974 Act
2 years imprisonment- Fail to comply with Electrical Equipment Safety regulations Any Person
Protection against hazards arising from the electrical equipment
- Ensure electrical equipment protects against hazards Manufacturer
Protection against hazards which may be caused by external influences...
- Ensure electrical equipment is safe under mechanical, environmental and overload conditions Manufacturer
Technical documentation
- Prepare and keep technical documentation for your electrical equipment Manufacturer
Manufacturing
- Ensure your manufacturing process consistently meets safety objectives Manufacturer
UK marking and EU declaration of conformity
- Affix UK marking and keep declaration of conformity for 10 years Manufacturer
Recall notice
- Comply with a recall notice for unsafe electrical equipment Operator
Amendment of the Plugs and Sockets
- Do not supply unapproved conversion plugs Any Person
Browse 31 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Compliance, withdrawal and recall notices
EU Declaration of Conformity
General conditions (a) The essential characteristics, the recognition and observance...
Module A Internal production control
Authorised representative
Enforcement powers under the 1987 Act
Modifications to the 1987 Act
Enforcement powers under the 1974 Act
Modifications to the 1974 Act
Enforcement powers under the 1978 Order
Modifications to the 1978 Order
Compliance notice
Withdrawal notice
Interpretation
Amendment of the Energy Act 2013 (Office for Nuclear Regulation) Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2014
Amendment of the Consumer Rights Act 2015
Amendment of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Amendment of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Amendment of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000
Amendment of the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations 2006
Amendment of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) Order 2007
Amendment of the Co-ordination of Regulatory Enforcement (Regulatory Functions in Scotland and Northern Ireland) Order 2009
Amendment of the Building Regulations 2010
Amendment of the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012
Declaration of conformity (No xxxx)
Name and address of manufacturer or his authorised representative:
This declaration of conformity is issued under the sole responsibility...
Object of the declaration (identification of electrical equipment allowing traceability;...
The object of the declaration described above is in conformity...
References to the relevant designated standards used or references to...
Additional information: Signed for and on behalf of: (place and...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016: Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Detailed Guidance
- UK designated standards (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- RoHS Regulations 2012 - compliance and guidance (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Detailed Guidance
- OPSS guidance on Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (opens in a new tab) from OPSS Publication
- UK law on the design and supply of products (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
- Work on electrical equipment, machinery or installations (opens in a new tab) from HSE Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
OPSS
PrimaryOffice for Product Safety and Standards
Product safety regulator responsible for ensuring consumer products are safe. Enforces product safety regulations, UKCA marking requirements, and works with market surveillance …
Trading Standards (Local Authority)
Enforces consumer protection legislation including food labelling, weights and measures, product safety, and fair trading. Part of local authority structure. Investigates food …
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Regulators
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