making and selling a product with electronic elements. UK safety regs.

[mart321]

Hi all. I have an etsy store, which has been on the go a couple of years. I enjoy the platform and am considering testing the water with some new items i am manufacturing, which i intend on eventually building a website for.

I am manufacturing something using a CNC machine i have. The process also involves some leds and soldering, amongst other things. i am a tradesman (fabricator) and am experienced in this type of work.

I have bought samples from different sellers from China and have now agreed a price on a larger order of suplies that i will need to manufacture the items.


What is the UK Law on selling items that use 12V ac/dc adapter? i will be using these to power the LED's which are a key feture of my items. Im using suitable size/grade electric cable soldered onto the leds, which then runs back to my 12v ac/dc adapter.

The current power supplies i have sourced are CE stamped and have RoHS certification. i understand that the uk will soon have new laws regarding electric power supplies after leaving the EU.


I have also had some conflicting information. Some people have said i will simply have to attend a PAT course to be able to pass the items off as safe. Others have said i will have to do a different course. Someone else has suggested i sell the 12V power supply seperately from the unit which i am manufacturing and i will not have to do this. I definitely do not want to do that though. Obviously i am not an electrician, but i want to be able to manufacture and sell a safe product.


It would be really good to get some clarity on this issue, hopefully the well informed people in this forum can assist!

 

[WaveJumper]

Have you had a look here:

UK law on the design and supply of products - HSE

www.hse.gov.uk

This covers quite a lot of detail too:

Electronic Product Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

This guide covers regulations, standards, UKCA marking and other labelling requirements, and lab testing for electronic products in the UK

www.compliancegate.com

 

[DontAsk]

What is the UK Law on selling items that use 12V ac/dc adapter? i will be using these to power the LED's which are a key feture of my items. Im using suitable size/grade electric cable soldered onto the leds, which then runs back to my 12v ac/dc adapter.

The current power supplies i have sourced are CE stamped and have RoHS certification. i understand that the uk will soon have new laws regarding electric power supplies after leaving the EU.

Are these stand-alone independent "power brick" type units that plug into your item, or are you building something in, with a mains input? The former is so much easier and safer. You just need to trust your source, if buying through UK distribution, that they really are CE, etc. If you are importing them yourself, then you are responsible for certification.

You need to consider such things as EMC regs, toy safety, if applicable, for your own item.

I have also had some conflicting information. Some people have said i will simply have to attend a PAT course to be able to pass the items off as safe. Others have said i will have to do a different course. Someone else has suggested i sell the 12V power supply seperately from the unit which i am manufacturing and i will not have to do this. I definitely do not want to do that though. Obviously i am not an electrician, but i want to be able to manufacture and sell a safe product.

With respect, that's b******s.

PAT has nothing to do with the original sale of goods.

You can bundle the 12 V supplies (that may answer my earlier question, sounds like they are separate).

 

[Gecko001]

You will definitely need more than a PAT test. I suggest you need professional advice on this. I would not try to do it on your own. I am not sure where you would get such professional advice. You could try what are called M&E consulting engineers (M&E = Mechanical and Electrical). They are usually involved in the design and construction of buildings, but they should be familar with the many electrical regulations that exist and could help you or point you in the right direction. Most cities and large towns will have such firms. Some are one man businesses operating from home or small offices..

 

[DontAsk]

You will definitely need more than a PAT test.

No he doesn't.

He's buying in 12 V DC adapters. New equipment does not need to be PAT tested.

His own 12 V powered kit does not need a PAT test.

I suggest you need professional advice on this.

I suggest you do too!

 

[WaveJumper]

My understanding is he has purchased samples and now looking to manufacture his own items which I suspect comes with a whole load of regs. Before our OP could go to the market defiantly agree with the sentiment seeking professional advice is a probably a must and is going to save the OP a lot of headaches along the way.

 

[Newchodge]

My understanding is he has purchased samples and now looking to manufacture his own items which I suspect comes with a whole load of regs. Before our OP could go to the market defiantly agree with the sentiment seeking professional advice is a probably a must and is going to save the OP a lot of headaches along the way.

If he is puchasing CE marked items from China, does he not need those tested?

 

[MBE2017]

If he is puchasing CE marked items from China, does he not need those tested?

It depends on whether the items have been CE tested or not. Just because they have CE printed on them and come with certification etc, it does not mean it is correct.

The Chinese have a slightly different idea to most when it comes to certification.

 

[Gecko001]

I assume that when the OP refers to an adaptor, they mean a power supply for the product that he has designed The product has LED's and involves soldering. The adaptor is just one element of the whole apliance as far as I can see. The OP surely needs to find out if the product that they have designed complies with regulations as well. Is it compatible with the adaptor?

 

[WaveJumper]

Yes the key point "making something new" out of parts would suggest he's manufacturing (his words) something, I am sticking my neck out here again suggesting if this is the case he will have to conform to a whole load of regs

 

[DontAsk]

If he is puchasing CE marked items from China, does he not need those tested?

He either trusts the supplier or gets them tested. Either way he is responsible. They do not need to be PAT tested.

 

[AlanJ1]

He either trusts the supplier or gets them tested. Either way he is responsible. They do not need to be PAT tested.

This is the correct advice.

You can ask for the CE documents and then contact the company who did the testing and ask if they are legit certificates.

There are 2 major test houses for electronics in China and any reputable supplier will be using them.