§ Mr. Clellandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he anticipates that the draft regulations concerning the safety of domestic plugs and sockets will come into effect.
§ Mr. HowardWe intend to submit the draft Plug and Socket Regulations to Parliament early next Session. The general provisions of the new regulations will apply as soon as parliamentary approval is obtained. This includes meeting the requirements of the relevant safety standards for all products within the scope of the new regulations, except that 13-amp plugs will not have to conform to certain amendments to BS 1363 until six months later. A further period of grace will be allowed for manufacturers to adapt to the mandatory approval scheme for 13-amp plugs. This scheme will come into force 12 months from the date the regulations are made.
§ Mr. Clellandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he intends to introduce to assist small manufacturers with the cost of complying with the proposed plug and socket safety regulations.
§ Mr. HowardNo such assistance is necessary. These regulations will formalise safety practices already observed by most manufacturers in the United Kingdom. The only additional cost would be that of gaining the mandatory approval which will be required by the new regulations, for 13-amp plugs only. This would be insignificant.
§ Mr. Clellandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he intends to take to ensure that the proposed plug and socket safety regulations are effectively applied to imported goods.
§ Mr. HowardThe proposed new regulations will apply to imports as well as to home manufactures. In addition, the Consumer Safety (Amendment) Act 1986 gives enforcement agencies new and more effective powers to identify unsafe imported consumer goods and prevent them from reaching the shops.