Companies will be prohibited from importing electrical products with two-pin plugs into the TRNC
Companies will be prohibited from importing electrical products with two-pin plugs into the TRNC
Companies will be prohibited from importing electrical products with two-pin plugs into the TRNC after the new safety rules in Northern Cyprus enter into force on January 1, 2020.
Importers will need to make sure that any products delivered to the TRNC come with a three-pin plug.
Safety measures were developed by the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) since previous importers ignored the existing rules requiring them to replace the plugs before sending products to Northern Cyprus or to provide an adapter in the kit if the outlet does not meet the standards used at the TRNC.
Electric sockets in Northern Cyprus are designed to accommodate three-pin plugs, as in the UK, but most of the electrical products sold in stores are imported from countries (Turkey, EU countries) that use a two-pin plug.
Three-pin plugs are grounded so that electricity can be safely supplied to devices. EMO says using two-pin plugs is unsafe and incompatible with the TRNC network, adding that penalties will be applied to enforce the new ban.
EMO Director Mustafa Ozmert said: “The ban on two-pin plugs will come into effect on January 1 for all importers of goods to Northern Cyprus. We are working on amending the rules for devices that are already in the TRNC and are not equipped with three-pin connectors. Our goal is to ensure that when the devices reach the consumer, they will already be delivered in a set with a three-pin plug. It will be the responsibility of the importers.”