[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Hong Kong EMSD Electrical Safety Hong KongGlobalRegulation guide # Hong Kong EMSD Electrical Product Safety EMSD's Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation splits electrical products into two tiers: six mandatory "prescribed products" that need a third-party safety certificate, and everything else, which can rely on a supplier's declaration. Getting this classification right is the difference between a straightforward self-declared launch and a certification project. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fhong-kong-emsd-electrical-safety) At a glance Regulator EMSD Mandatory certification 6 prescribed products only Everything else Supplier's declaration RCBs recognized 155 across 28 countries ## How the two-tier system works ### Prescribed products — mandatory certification The six product types above require a mandatory certificate of safety compliance issued by a Recognized Certification Body (RCB) or a Recognized Manufacturer before sale. This is the only category where EMSD certification is not optional. ### Non-prescribed products — supplier's declaration Every other electrical product can rely on a supplier's declaration of conformity rather than mandatory third-party certification — a materially lighter compliance bar than the CE or UKCA model most hardware teams are used to. ### Class I/II construction is universal Regardless of prescribed status, all electrical products must be Class I or Class II construction and comply with BS1363/BS546/IEC60061-2/IEC60227 as applicable — this baseline applies across the board. ### Voluntary consumer registration is separate EMSD also runs a purely voluntary registration scheme letting suppliers list household electrical products with safety certificates on a public register. Absence from this voluntary register does not indicate non-compliance — don't confuse it with the mandatory prescribed-product regime. ## The six prescribed products 01 Plugs 02 Adaptors 03 Lampholders 04 Flexible cords 05 Extension units 06 Unvented thermal storage electric water heaters ## Compliance workflow 01 Determine whether your product is one of the six prescribed products (plugs, adaptors, lampholders, flexible cords, extension units, unvented thermal storage water heaters). 02 If prescribed: engage a Recognized Certification Body (RCB) — EMSD maintains a register of 155 RCBs across 28 countries, most with mutual recognition under schemes like IECEE CB — to obtain the mandatory safety certificate. 03 If non-prescribed: prepare a supplier's declaration of conformity against the applicable safety standards, retained for market surveillance purposes. 04 Confirm Class I or Class II construction and compliance with the applicable BS/IEC connector and cord standards regardless of prescribed status. 05 If the product is covered by the Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, prepare and affix the required energy label. 06 Optionally register the product on EMSD's voluntary household electrical products registration scheme for additional consumer-facing credibility. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do all electrical products sold in Hong Kong need third-party certification? No. Only six specifically named 'prescribed products' — plugs, adaptors, lampholders, flexible cords, extension units, and unvented thermal storage electric water heaters — require a mandatory certificate from a Recognized Certification Body. Everything else can rely on a supplier's declaration of conformity. ### What connector/cord standards apply regardless of prescribed status? All electrical products, prescribed or not, must be Class I or Class II construction and comply with BS1363 (plugs/sockets), BS546 (older plug/socket types), IEC60061-2 (lampholders), or IEC60227 (flexible cords) as applicable to the specific component. ### Is there a single downloadable list of Recognized Certification Bodies? No — EMSD maintains the RCB register as a country-by-country web page rather than a single downloadable or searchable file. As of the most recent count, 155 RCBs across 28 countries are recognized, each accredited under a mutual-recognition scheme such as IECEE CB. ### Does the voluntary household product register mean my product is EMSD-approved? No — this is a separate, purely voluntary consumer-facing listing distinct from the mandatory prescribed-product certification regime. Registering on it is not required for market access and doesn't substitute for prescribed-product certification if your product falls into one of the six mandatory categories. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇭🇰 Hong Kong compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/62-hong-kong-ofca-radio-equipment-certification)[Prefer to read? 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