REFIT Platform Opinion on the submission by a citizen on Plugs and Sockets

Current situation in Europe

At European Union level, there is no specific European legislation defining types, dimensions or requirements and tests for plug and socket-outlet systems.
The safety of plugs and socket outlets for domestic use is covered by the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) - Directive 2001/95/EC (see Policy context of this draft opinion). There is a proposal for a Regulation on Consumer Product Safety, which is currently under discussion and will repeal the GPSD once approved.

Note: The above proposal for a Regulation on Consumer Product Safety does not have an impact on the topic covered by the draft opinion (i.e. differences in plug and socket-outlet systems in Europe), as the proposed Regulation will not define specific plug and socket- outlet systems at European level. Therefore, this draft opinion does not enter in the exclusion criteria established by the REFIT Platform.

Plugs and socket-outlets are parts of systems defined at national level in the corresponding national installation/wiring legislation and in national standards. National systems are defined in terms of types and dimensions of plugs and socket-outlets which are allowed in the country, safety requirements and tests, etc.

Current systems are heavily dependent on existing infrastructure, which cannot be changed without a necessary transitional period of coexistence of systems of more than 75 years, and may have significant implications in terms of safety (use of adaptor during the transitional period), investment (for citizens and companies) and environmental impact (waste).
In terms of compatibility, there are two main types of plugs and socket-outlet systems in Europe, largely defining two geographical areas:

- System based on round-pin plugs and compatible socket-outlets

One of the plugs more widely used within this system is the ‘Europlug’ (see picture below). It is a non-earthed plug for 2,5 A 250 V a.c., and covered by the European standard1 EN 50075.

Standard EN 50075 - Flat non-rewirable two-pole plugs, 2,5 A 250 V a.c., with cord, for the connection of class II-equipment for household and similar purposes.

This plug is widely used across Europe, and in more than 135 countries in the world.

The ‘Europlug’ was designed to be compatible3 with a range of sockets widely used in most countries in Europe (except in UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus).

For 16 A applications, the most common plug in Europe is the CEE 7/7 plug, which is compatible with most socket-outlets used in continental Europe:
- the one used in countries such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands or in Spain (CEE 7/3 socket and CEE 7/4 plug), and
- the one used in countries such as France, Belgium, Poland or Slovakia (CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug).

This plug is widely used across Europe (except UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus), and compatible with the socket-outlets used in more than 100 countries in the world6, including CIS Countries, several South American and African countries.
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