Khaberni - The Standards and Metrology Institution adopted a set of specifications from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as standard Jordanian specifications for low-voltage electrical devices and equipment, with the aim of enhancing the safety of electrical products circulating in the local market and improving consumer protection.
The institution told "Al-Mamlaka" that the adoption decision involves adopting international specifications issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and issuing them as standard Jordanian specifications, becoming a national technical reference relied upon in assessing the conformity of electrical products, both for regulation purposes and for verifying safety and quality.
The institution explained that the choice of these specifications was based on good standardization practices, which recommend depending on international references as a first option, then regional references, and national ones when necessary, ensuring consistency with the best technical expertise available globally.
The institution emphasized that IEC specifications are a well-established international reference widely accepted and applied in various countries around the world, reflecting international consensus on safety and performance requirements, which contributes to aligning the national regulatory framework with global practices, facilitating trade, and reducing technical barriers without affecting the required level of protection.
The institution pointed out that the main goal of the decision is to enhance the safety of electrical products and protect the user, alongside achieving technical alignment with globally adopted international specifications. The decision achieves two main goals, namely enhancing public safety and facilitating trade by reducing technical barriers.
The institution confirmed that adopting IEC specifications came by a decision from a specialized technical committee comprising all relevant parties, and is fully compatible with the requirements of the electrical network in the kingdom.
The institution added that these specifications were previously implemented, and their current issuance completes a series of standard specifications that were already adopted and applied, enhancing the continuity of the adopted technical approach and contributing to establishing a high level of safety and reliability in electrical devices circulating in the local market, in addition to enhancing the efficiency of control and inspection operations through the presence of a unified technical reference.
The institution confirmed that the decision directly contributes to enhancing consumer protection, by imposing compliance with specific quality and safety requirements, which limits the entry of non-compliant or low-quality products into the market, supports conformity assessment procedures, and enhances consumer confidence in the products available.
The decision applies to household electrical appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, surface and floor cleaning devices, and devices that maintain food temperature, in addition to similar devices within the scope of household usage.
The institution mentioned that the implementation of these specifications will begin after the related voting period by relevant parties ends, the technical committee reviews the remarks concerning them, and then the specification projects are raised to the administration board of the institution to be officially adopted.
The institution added that after the adoption decision, a transitional period of three months will be granted before the specifications become effective, aimed at allowing concerned parties to adjust their situation in accordance with the new requirements.
Regarding the measures taken against violators, the institution clarified that it would apply the legal measures stipulated in the Law of Specifications and Measures number 22 for the year 2000 and its amendments, which include preventing the entry of imported violating products, whether those not complying with technical rules or those unsafe for use, those bearing counterfeit or fake trademarks, or those that may pose a risk to health or public safety or the environment.
The measures also include requiring the violating importer to re-export the products within a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of the final inspection results, in addition to issuing warnings and closures in case of non-compliance after the warning, as well as confiscation and destruction of violating products and tools, preventing the sale of violating products and withdrawing them from the markets.
The institution also confirmed referring those who commit specified violations, under article 34 of the Law of Specifications and Measures number 22 for the year 2000 and its amendments, to the competent judicial authorities for taking the necessary legal proceedings against them.
