Domestic safety (ICS code(s): 13.120); Small kitchen appliances (ICS code(s): 97.040.50)

Ministerial Decree. 499 /2023 (4 pages, in Arabic) mandating The Egyptian standard ES 7315 for Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Particular requirements for blankets, pads, clothing and similar flexible heating appliances".; (128 page(s), in English)

The Ministerial Decree No. 499 /2023 gives the producers and importers a six-month transitional period to abide by the Egyptian standard ES 7315 which deals with the safety of electric blankets, pads, clothing and other flexible appliances that heat the bed or human body, for household and similar purposes, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V including direct current (DC) supplied appliances and battery-operated appliances.

This standard also applies to control units supplied with the appliance.

Appliances not intended for normal household use but which nevertheless possibly pose be a source of danger to the public, such as appliances intended to be used in beauty parlours or by persons in cold ambient temperatures, are within the scope of this standard.

Requirements and tests for clothing are given in normative Annex CC.

As far as is practicable, this standard deals with the common hazards presented by appliances that are encountered by all persons in and around the home. However, in general, it does not take into account:

·        Persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge prevents them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction;

·        Children playing with the appliance.

Children are considered to be old enough to use an appliance without supervision when they have been adequately instructed by a parent or guardian and are deemed competent to use the appliance safely.

Attention is drawn to the fact that:

– For appliances intended to be used in vehicles or on board ships or aircraft, additional requirements can be necessary;

– In many countries, additional requirements are specified by the national health authorities, the national authorities responsible for the protection of labour and similar authorities.

Worth mentioning is that this standard adopts the technical content of IEC 60335-2-17:2022