Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 3260), implementing Council Directive 2006/95/EC
The contents relate to the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 which regulate the safety of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage ranges.
Subject area
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 implement the Council Directive 2006/95/EC (commonly known as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD)).
Coverage
Broadly the Regulations apply to most consumer, commercial and industrial electrical equipment designed for use within the voltage ranges 50 V ac to 1000 V ac and 75 V dc to 1500 V dc.
Intention of legislation
To remove technical barriers to trade and establish a European Union single market and provide a high level of protection for consumers.
Products covered by this legislation are required to carry the CE Marking
The Regulations cover products when first placed on the market.
The Regulations can be viewed on the Legislation.gov.uk website
Enforcement
The Regulations are enforced by the Local Authority Trading Standards Departments in respect of electrical equipment intended for the consumer, and by the Health and Safety Executive in respect for equipment intended for the workplace.
Local Authority Trading Standards Departments are requested to notify the Department of enforcement actions using the attached form.
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations: notification of enforcement action (DOC, 122 Kb)
There are regular Co-operation meetings between the Commission and Member States to harmonise enforcement. In support the Commission has issued opinions and recommendations.
Notified bodies
The Regulations provide for self-assessment by the manufacturers of their products complying with its requirements. However, Notified Bodies are appointed under the Directive for purpose of providing, on request, opinions (Article 9) to the Commission and reports (Article 8) to manufacturers.
A list of LVD Notified Bodies, including the UK, can be found by following this link to the European Commission's NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) Information System. The list can be sorted by country or by Notified Body name by clicking on the column headings. Please note that UK based companies are not restricted to using UK Notified Bodies.
CAUTION: The Department is aware of cases where organisations claim (or appear to claim) to be notified bodies authorised to carry out conformity assessment and certification when they actually hold no such appointment. Please see further information in the attached warning note (DOC, 42 Kb) .
Guidance and further information
A comprehensive Guidance booklet is available:
Product standards. Electrical equipment (implementing the Low Voltage Directive). Guidance notes on the UK electrical equipment (safety) regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/3260) March 2007 (PDF, 210KB)
The European Commission has its own website dedicated to matters relating to electrical safety. Information available on this site includes:
Contact
Gigi Pardesi, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, Bay 1105, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET, Tel: 020 7215 1323; Fax: 020 7215 3013; Email: Gigi.Pardesi@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Other Directives/Regulations which may affect electrical equipment
For information on some of the other Directives/Regulations which may have an effect on electrical equipment, please see the subject heading:
More information is available from our Environmental and Technical Regulations web page.
