Recent Developments
The Turkish Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology recently adopted the Regulation on the Electrical Equipment Designed for Use within Certain Voltage Limits.
Based on the EU’s Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), the purpose of this Regulation is to establish the safety principles and the conformity assessment procedures required to introduce electrical equipment into the market.
The Regulation entered into force on October 2, 2016, and it repeals the previous regulation dated December 30, 2006.
Background
The European Commission adopted the new Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), applicable as of April 20, 2016, repealing the former Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC).
Following this change, and to further harmonize the Turkish health and safety requirements for placing electrical equipment on the market with those of the EU, Turkey adopted the Regulation on the Electrical Equipment Designed for Use within Certain Voltage Limits on October 2, 2016.
What the Regulation says
The Regulation applies to manufacturers of electrical equipment designed for use within voltage limits of 50 and 1000 V for alternating currents, or between 75 and 1500 V for direct current. This includes a wide range of consumer and professional products such as electric wiring, household appliances, lighting equipment, power supply units and laser equipment.
The Regulation requires such electrical equipment to be made available on the Turkish market only if they do not endanger the health and safety of persons and domestic animals, or damage property, when properly installed and maintained and used for their intended purposes.
Under the Regulation, the main manufacturer obligations include:
- To ensure that the electrical equipment has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the safety objectives under the Regulation, when making such equipment available on the market;
- To draw up the required technical documentation and perform the conformity assessment procedure described under the Regulation; and
- To keep the technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity for 10 years after the electrical equipment has been placed on the market.The Regulation does not cover certain products such as electrical equipment for use in explosive atmosphere, radiology or for medical purposes.
What’s new?
Although the significant characteristics of the previous regulation, such as safety objectives and conformity assessment procedures, remain the same, there are a few differences in the new Regulation, including recently introduced obligations of importers and distributors.
Actions to consider
Manufacturers, importers and distributors of electrical equipment designed for use should take note of the new obligations introduced by the Regulation and take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.