I have always presumed using EU sockets was acceptable under the harmonized standard

I'm not convinced about that - BS 7671 isn't entirely harmonized (not the wiring regs of EU states) - nor BS 1363.

That said, I suspect the N type is the original "international" plug & socket - to IEC 60906-1 - so might tick the box on that score.

Mostly the objection to non-BS 1363 sockets is the lack of shutters, and for certain ones being able to fit an earthed plug into an unearthed socket. Polarity shouldn't be an issue for any modern appliance.

I was going to suggest that the AUS/NZ ones are likely to follow the US approach of making the socket holes too thin to allow most household items in (classic being knitting needles) rather than needing shutters, but a quick search suggests that shuttered versions of AS/NZS 3112 sockets are readily available, so again most of the boxes look like they could be ticked.

   - Andy.

Peter69 said:

I have always presumed using EU sockets was acceptable under the harmonized standard but the standard specifically says 

That can't be true.

Regulation 553.1.201 requires socket-outlets 'for household and similar use' to be shuttered.

The issue of 'household and similar use' actually covers usage not just in homes, but by 'ordinary persons' under conditions of external influence that may be found in 'household and similar' situations - such as offices, hotel rooms etc. etc.

But ultimately, "general purpose, non-industrial, socket-outlets" in the UK need to be shuttered.

There's also the issue of the Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations.

gkenyon said:

The issue of 'household and similar use' actually covers usage not just in homes, but by 'ordinary persons' under conditions of external influence that may be found in 'household and similar' situations - such as offices, hotel rooms etc. etc.

I acknowledge your expertise in the area of electrical standards Graham, so including offices in “household and similar” situations is something I would never have considered. 
Since “household or similar” is not defined in part 2, one might look to OED or perhaps “houseboat” to get an idea of what  sort of places the term might extend to. 

I was obviously incorrect in my assumption that the term related only to places where people reside as a unit and who are likely to dwell there in permanent fashion. The “similar” consideration might then extend to other places  that people might reside such as hotels, guest houses, care homes where the EAW Regs would be impossible to fully implement. 

I note the term is to be found frequently in the title of standards in Appendix one so I assume you will know about how they describe their scope.

I am interested in this only from the perspective that such matters are discussed in 18th and 2391 classes. So, for example, it wouldn’t be acceptable to have adjustable fault protection in household or similar but one could in an office location, is that incorrect?

gkenyon said:

The issue of 'household and similar use' actually covers usage not just in homes, but by 'ordinary persons' under conditions of external influence that may be found in 'household and similar' situations - such as offices, hotel rooms etc. etc.

I take the point, but then why does it not say so?

In households, typical sockets are just at the right height for curious toddlers to try to put things in the holes. In offices, sockets may be placed above desks (e.g. in dado rails) and one does not expect children to be running about.

On balance, I would include hotel rooms, schools and nurseries, but not offices.

UUnfortunately, as far as I know AS3112 is not compliant with 60906 but is available shuttered.

These 

I have always considered this meant something similar to consumer or perhaps non-qualified so it would cover hotels, airport lounges etc.

553.1.201 uses the word SHOULD. In my world that isn't a must.

But BS1363 does say must.

The units I've used in the past are always shuttered version of the EU types of socket. This is the 1st time I've been asked for non-EU.

I see the actual regulation is quite clear no non-1363 plugs or equipment isn't put on the market. I wonder if Amazon know?

So I can't comply with 1363 but I can supply shuttered versions and safety systems could be included in the installation (mentioned in 1363).

I lose a lot of business to other who will supply units with the multinational socket.

So I'm hoping there is a way to supply these sockets for UK use

Peter69 said:

553.1.201 uses the word SHOULD. In my world that isn't a must.

553.1.201 says 'shall be of the shuttered type'. It's the BS 1363 that is a preference.

The point I'm making is that, whilst the Regulation wouldn't preclude usage of socket-outlets to other standards, they would have to be a shuttered type. The point about the Plugs and Socket (Safety) Regulations is that there are limitations on what can be supplied under certain circumstances for domestic and similar use.

In terminology of BSI (and CENELEC and IEC) standards, this indicates a requirement, necessary for conformity to the standard. 'Must' is never used in BSI, CENELEC and IEC (and ISO) standards.

553.1.201 Every socket-outlet for household and similar use shall be of the shuttered type and, for an AC installation, shall preferably be of a type complying with BS 1363.
NOTE: USB charging ports, coaxial outlets, data outlets, HDMI and other AV outlets are not regarded as socket-outlets for the purposes of this regulation.

Just to note, some European socket-outlets are now available with shutters, for example VDE 0620 with 'increased contact protection' (i.e. 'shutters') - AFAIK it's an option, rather than a requirement, at the moment, but they are available.

Still needs to be considered against Plugs and Sockets (Safety) Regulations for the particular premises, though.

I see the actual regulation is quite clear no non-1363 plugs or equipment isn't put on the market

The "The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations"? as I read it the requirement applies to appliances sold to consumers on the UK market (whether manufactured in the UK or imported) - as I read it there's nothing to stop a consumer buying something abroad and bringing it with them as a personal possession into the UK (quite reasonably - it just wouldn't work to say people couldn't bring their laptop PSU or phone charger or 101 other things with them into the UK).

To my mind foreign plugs can't safely be inserted into UK (BS 1363) sockets - even if they can be made to physically fit, the lack of  fuse would be a safety issue. Travel adaptors might be one option, but their quality is often very dubious in practice. Far safer to have suitable compatible socket available. So I reckon 553.1.5 (iii) can be invoked,

   - Andy.

 AJJewsbury  Isn't the socket-outlet covered by Regulations 4(1), 5 and 10(1), i.e. standard socket-outlets 'ordinarily intended for domestic use' (as it's put in the legislation) should be to one of the standards in Schedule 2 (items 1 to 3 for socket-outlets of course)?

BS 7671 requires all products to be "standard" - yes, you can choose a national standard from elsewhere in the EU, offering equivalent safety (and shuttered), but in saying it's a "standard socket-outlet" aren't you then really saying you ought to choose a standard from Schedule 2?

That, of course, is a debate for legal professionals ... I'm just cautioning the legislation may potentially apply in addition to (and potentially take precedence over) the requirements of BS 7671 (if Reg Group 511 is invoked for conformity if the preference in 533.1.201 for BS 1363 socket-outlets is not taken up).