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.

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

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.

Hi, back on the PC, the chat didn't work well on a mobile.

I was working from my memory (always a problem) so got some of the bits wrong.

it is the 

shall preferably be of a type complying with BS 1363.

term I was hoping allowed me to supply.

So I've started to slip from the original question about Australian sockets to all other sockets.

I've just seen you next answer popup and I always use shuttered versions of the sockets.

As you can imagine, these will be used for things like hair driers and the like, PC Chargers etc for the overseas traveller to use.

There will normally be a mix of sockets on one plate. I make them to the customers' requirements rather then specify. I also don't install them.

The more I read, the more I think I need specific licence [The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (legislation.gov.uk). reg 7.7]?

I can see no other wiggle room in this regulation unless it is for a very specific use i.e shaver