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

Published: Fri 17th Jul 26

These Regulations permit the use of standard plugs for plug-in solar microgenerators with a maximum output of 800 watts, provided they meet specific safety criteria.

They authorize notified bodies to approve plugs that do not fully conform to British Standard BS 1363 solely because they facilitate electricity generation.

The instrument applies to manufacturers of plug-in solar devices, notified bodies responsible for safety certification, and consumers in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (though grid-related amendments apply only to Great Britain).

Arguments For

The legislation provides a legal pathway for standard plugs to be used with electricity-generating devices, which is otherwise restricted by the existing BS 1363 standard.
Proponents state that these changes allow for the safe use of plug-in microgenerators that convert sunlight into electricity up to a limit of 800 watts.
The document argues that safety is maintained by requiring these devices to meet the Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification and undergo inspection or testing by a notified body.
The order asserts that the maximum rated output restriction and the prohibition on energy storage (except for control functions) ensure the devices are suitable for parallel operation with a distributor's network.

Arguments Against

Technical experts may express concern regarding the deviation from the established BS 1363 standard for hardware connecting to domestic socket-outlets.
Electrical safety organizations might question whether an interim product specification provides the same level of long-term assurance as established British Standards.
Implementation may be complicated for distributors who must manage an influx of small-scale generation operating in parallel with the network without traditional fixed-wire installation oversight.
The narrow definition of solar-only microgenerators excludes other forms of small-scale plug-in renewable generation that might otherwise meet the 800-watt safety threshold.

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.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the commencement date for all provisions as 27 August 2026.

It specifies that while the safety standards for plugs apply across the entire United Kingdom, the amendments regarding electricity quality and continuity apply only to Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland).

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;

(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—

(a) generates electricity from the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity;

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

(d) is designed to operate in parallel with a distributor's network; and

(e) 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;'

This section modifies the 1994 safety regulations to allow notified bodies—the organizations responsible for assessing product conformity—to approve plugs used for portable solar panels.

It overrides the usual requirement to follow British Standard BS 1363, which generally bans using plugs to feed electricity back into a socket.

To be approved, the plug must meet an interim solar specification, and the connected device must be a solar microgenerator that outputs no more than 800 watts and does not include a battery for storing grid energy.

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—

(a) generates electricity from the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity;

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

(d) is designed to operate in parallel with a distributor's network; and

'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'.

This section updates the 2002 regulations governing how electricity is safely distributed and connected to the grid.

It mandates that any plug-in solar microgenerator used by a consumer must comply with the Government's interim product specification.

This change allows these small-scale solar devices to operate in parallel with the national network legally, provided they do not exceed 800 watts and adhere to the specified technical standards.

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