The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026

• Citation: S.I. 2026/848
• Sections: 3

Section 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 27th August 2026.

(3) Regulations 1 and 2 extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(4) Regulation 3 extends to England and Wales and Scotland.

Section 2 Amendment of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

(1) Regulation 8 of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 is amended as follows.

(2) After paragraph (3) insert—

(3A) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2), a type of standard plug intended to be fitted to or supplied for use with a plug-in microgenerator may be approved by a notified body if when determining an application for approval, the notified body is satisfied that—

(a) plugs of that type do not conform to BS 1363 because BS 1363 contains a provision which prohibits or restricts the use of the plug for the connection of an electricity-generating device to a socket-outlet;

(b) except in respect of that prohibition or restriction, plugs of that type conform to BS 1363;

(c) plugs of that type comply with the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification; and

(d) by means of inspection or testing of samples of plugs of that type, the manufacturer of the plug may reasonably be expected to ensure that normal production and design of the plug will result in plugs of that type corresponding with the samples.

(3) After paragraph (7), insert—

(8) In this regulation—

“ consumer’s installation”, “distributor”, “low voltage” and “network ” have the same meaning as in the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 ;

“ plug-in microgenerator ” means a source of energy which—

generates electricity from the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity;

has a maximum rated alternating current output not exceeding 800 watts;

is intended for connection to a low voltage consumer’s installation by means of a standard plug and socket;

is designed to operate in parallel with a distributor’s network; and

is not designed to import electrical energy from a low voltage consumer’s installation for the purpose of storing energy for later supply, other than for control or auxiliary functions permitted by the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification;

“ Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification ” means the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2, published by the Secretary of State on 16 July 2026;

Section 3 Amendment of the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

(1) The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 1(5), at the appropriate place insert—

“ plug-in microgenerator ” means a source of energy which—

generates electricity from the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity;

has a maximum rated alternating current output not exceeding 800 watts;

is intended for connection to a low voltage consumer’s installation by means of a standard plug and socket;

is designed to operate in parallel with a distributor’s network; and

is not designed to import electrical energy from a low voltage consumer’s installation for the purpose of storing energy for later supply, other than for control or auxiliary functions permitted by the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification;

“ Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification ” means the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification, version 2, published by the Secretary of State on 16 July 2026;

(3) In regulation 22(1), for sub-paragraph (c) substitute—

(c) where the source of energy—

(i) is part of a low voltage consumer’s installation, complies with British Standard Requirements; or

(ii) is a plug-in microgenerator, complies with the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification; and