Selling Second-Hand Electrical Equipment

Anyone selling second-hand electrical equipment in the UK has a legal responsibility to ensure that the equipment is safe. This applies whether you are a charity shop, landlord, online seller, school, business or private trader.

Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, electrical goods supplied to consumers must be safe. In law, ‘supply’ covers more than a sale; it can include providing equipment as part of a service, tenancy, or other commercial activity, and it applies to used equipment too.

If you operate a charity shop, see our detailed guide on PAT testing in charity shops.

Landlords supplying appliances should read our guide on PAT testing for landlords.

What Does “Safe” Mean?

“Safe” means that the equipment does not present a risk of electric shock, fire or injury when used under normal conditions. This includes:

No damage to the plug, cable or casing
Correct fuse fitted
Correct wiring inside the plug
No signs of overheating
No outstanding product recalls (see our guide to electrical product recalls in the UK)

Inspection and Testing

While the law does not specifically require “PAT testing”, inspection and testing is widely regarded as the most effective way of demonstrating that second-hand electrical equipment is safe. This involves both a detailed visual inspection and appropriate electrical tests. Most faults are identified during the visual inspection stage. Particular attention should be given to plugs, flexible cables, signs of overheating, and any evidence of previous repair or modification.

CE and UKCA Conformity Marks

Second-hand equipment is not legally required to meet the CE or UKCA marking requirements and does not need a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) as conformity marking requirements primarily apply to manufacturers and importers. However, second-hand goods should not be sold if they appear to be counterfeit or do not comply with basic safety requirements. (See our guide to counterfeit and substandard electrical equipment.)

Plug & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

Where applicable, any plug fitted to second-hand electrical equipment intended for domestic use must comply with the Plug & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994. This means that older plugs, without sleeving on the live and neutral pins, must be replaced. Plugs and fuses must carry an appropriate approval mark such as the ASTA Diamond Mark, BSI Kitemark, or Nemko N Mark. Re-wirable plugs must also be supplied with wiring instructions, usually on a card over the pins or on a tape around the flex.

The cores within the flexible cable must be coloured as follows:

Earth - green and yellow
Neutral - blue
Live - brown

Demonstrating Due Diligence

Keeping inspection records, documenting test results, checking for product recalls and maintaining clear labelling all form part of demonstrating due diligence. In the event of an incident, being able to show that reasonable steps were taken to ensure safety can be critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to sell second-hand electrical goods?

Yes, but the seller must ensure the equipment is safe under UK product safety legislation.

Is PAT testing legally required?

There is no specific law requiring PAT testing. However, inspection and testing is widely used to demonstrate safety.

Can I sell appliances without a CE or UKCA mark?

Second-hand goods should not be sold if they appear unsafe or counterfeit. Sellers should exercise caution where conformity markings are missing or appear incorrect.

Next Steps

If you’re unsure whether an item is safe to supply, don’t sell it until it has been inspected, tested (where appropriate), and checked against recall notices.