Local manufactures want govt. to delay implementation of...
A group of local manufactures wants the government to postpone and review the implementation of the new standard for plugs, extension cords and sockets in Sri Lanka, which is set to come into effect from January 1, 2019.
Speaking at a press briefing organised by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday, a spokesperson representing the extension cords and plug manufactures in Sri Lanka warned that the looming ban on manufacturing and selling 5A and 15A plugs and sockets would risk the closure of businesses of the existing manufactures that employ around 2000 people.
He noted that they are responsible for catering to a 75 percent demand of extension cords in Sri Lanka.
In 2016, Sri Lanka adopted the Type G plug and socket outlets, 13A plug and socket outlets or ‘square pin’ plugs and sockets as the only national standard, with the aim of uplifting the safety of electricity consumers.
The manufactures, importers and retailers were given a transition period up to two years to adapt to the new standards.
According to the PUCSL, the primary cause for the escalating number of deaths by electrocution is the widespread use of substandard plugs, sockets, electrical equipment, adaptors (multi-plugs) and extension cords.
The number of deaths by electrocution peaked to 180 in 2012, prior to the PUCSL’S intervention. The regulator expects that the new regulations would curtail the number of deaths by electrocution to 20 by 2020.
While agreeing that the standards are required, the manufactures questioned the practicalities of the implementation of these regulations.
“We are a Third World country. The standards should be introduced in accordance with the situation of the country.
We currently supply an extension cord at the Rs.500-550 price range. However, if we were to adhere to the new SLS standards, the new extension cords would be priced around Rs.3,000, which is unaffordable for the public and they would look for unsafe cheap alternatives,” the spokesperson of the local manufactures stressed.
He asserted that the local enterprises must be prioritised when such standards are made compulsory while some manufactures opined that the standards should not be made compulsory at all, reasoning that the manufacturers and retailers would gradually shift towards adoption of the standards over a period of time organically.
Energy sector expert and consultant Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya emphasised that as the Type G plug-tops and sockets are already widely used in Sri Lanka, it would be an easy transition for the public, manufacturers and importers.
He pointed out that it is the single standard in more than 29 countries in the world, including the UK, Ireland, the UAE, Singapore and Malaysia.
Moreover, speaking of the safety aspect, he noted that the rectangular pins make a firm connection with the socket in the Type G, which also comes with a fuse in the plug top to protect the appliances and wires.
The PUCSL estimates the country will shift fully to adopt the Type G plugs and socket in 20 years.
The manufacturers also alleged that neither the Industrial Development Board nor Industry and Commerce Ministry were aware of the move to regularise the standards.
They urged the government to make an exemption to manufacture and sell 5A and 15A plug tops, sockets and extension cords for a period of time. Further, they also sought technical assistance from the University of Moratuwa in order to meet with the new standards introduced by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute.
Responding to the concerns raised by the local manufacturers, PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said that the PUCSL would call for a discussion with the local manufacturers and government stakeholders next week to address their issues.
He further said that the government could make several exemptions for the local manufactures to address their concerns.
Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Director General M.S.M. Fouzer noted that the CAA published the directions of the ban over 13 months ago, providing the manufactures, retailer, importers and other stakeholders a grace period.
Despite the ban, the existing households will not be required to be rewired with the new standard sockets. They can remain until their useful life and when a 5A socket outlet needs to be replaced, a special Type G socket with a label ‘6A Max’ will be made available until the expiry period of 20 years.
However, the new households would be required to be wired with Type G socket outlets.
According to the CAA, a minimum of Rs.10,000 penalty, subject to a maximum of Rs.100,000 would be imposed on the violators of the regulations.