G/TBT/N/BWA/36  
 
27 November 2013  
(13-6487)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION 
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6 
 
1. Notifying Member:  BOTSWANA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):     
2. Agency responsible:  Botswana WTO-TBT Enquiry  Point 
Name and address (including telephon e and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above :   
Botswana Bureau of Standards Information Centre 
Private Bag B0 48 
Gaborone Botswana Tel:  (+267) 3903200 
Fax: (+267)3903120 
Toll Free Number:  (0800 600 900) E-mail:  infoc@hq.bobstandards.bw 
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  
13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units, Switched and unswitched 
socket-outlet (ICS 29.120.30). 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  13 A plugs, 
socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units Part 2: Switched and unswitched socket-
outlet - Specification (49 pages, in English).  
6. Description of content:  This part of BOS 41 specifies requirements for 13 A switched 
and unswitched shuttered socket-outlets for household, commercial and light industrial 
purposes, with particular reference to safety in normal use. The socket-outlets are suitable for connection of portable appliances, sound-vision equipment, etc. in a.c. 
circuits only, operating at voltages not exceeding 250 V r.m.s at 50 Hz using plugs in 
accordance with part 1 of BOS 41. 
Requirements are specified for 13 A shuttered socket-outlets in single or multiple 
arrangements, with or without associated controlling switches, for flush mounting in 
suitable boxes, e.g., complying with BS 4662,  or for surface or panel mounting or for 
portable use. Fixed socket-outlets are intended for use with cables complying with BS 6004: 1991 or BS 6007: 1991 having copper conductors. 
Portable socket-outlets are intended for use with flexible cords, complying with BS 6500: 
1994. Socket-outlets containing devices other than fuse links, switches and indicator lamps are outside the scope of this part of BOS 41. 
NOTE 1: In order to maintain safety and inte rchangeability with plugs and socket-outlets 
it is necessary that these products comply  with the requirements of clause 10 and 
clause 13 of this part of BOS 41, however their body outline need not be limited at a G/TBT/N/BWA/36 
 
- 2 - 
 
  distance of 6.35 mm from the plug engagement face. 
NOTE 2:  Requirements for electromagnetic compatibility are not given for the following 
reasons. 
- A switched or unswitched socket-outlet does not emit intolerable electromagnetic 
interference since significant electromagnetic disturbances are only generated during insertion and withdrawal, which are not continuous. 
- A switched or unswitched socket-outlet is mechanical by nature of construction. 
 The product is therefore immune from electromagnetic interference. 
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Safety.  
8. Relevant documents:    
- BS 219:1977, Specification for soft solders; 
- BS 1210: 1963 Specification for wood screws; 
- BS 1362:1973, Specification for general purpose fuse links for domestic and 
similar purposes (primarily for use in plugs); 
- BOS 41-1: 2001, 13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units, 
Part 1, Specification for rewireable and non-rewireable 13A fused plugs; 
- BOS 41-3: 2001 13 A plugs, socket-outlets, adaptors and connection units, Part 3, 
Specification for adaptors; 
- BS 1363: Part 4, Specification for 13 A fused connection units: Switched and 
unswitched; 
- BS 3042:1992, Test probes to verify protection by enclosures; 
- BS 4662:1970, Specification for boxes for the enclosure of electrical accessories; - BS 5901:1980, Method of test for determining the comparative and the proof 
tracking indices of solid insulating materials under moist conditions; 
- BS 6004:1991, Specification for PVC - insulated cables (non-armoured) for electric 
power and lighting; 
- BS 6007: 1991 Specification for rubber-insulated cables for electric power and 
lighting; 
- BS 6458: Fire hazard testing for electrotechnical products; - BS 6458: Part 2: Methods of test; 
- BS 6458: Section 2.1:1984, Glow-wire test; 
- BS 6500:1994, Specification for insulated flexible cords and cables.   
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:    To be determined To be determined 
10. Final date for comments:  2 months from date of dispatch. 
11. Text available from:  National enquiry point [X], or address, telephone and fax 
numbers, e-mail and web-site addresse s, if available of the other body:    
Botswana Bureau of Standards Information Centre Private Bag B0 48 Gaborone Botswana. 
Tel : (+267) 3903200 
Fax:(+267)3903120 Toll Free Number : (0800 600 900)   
Email: infoc@hq.bobstandards.bw