IEC 60906-1

Although it is almost identical to the Swiss SEV 1011 T12 plug for 10 A 250 V a.c. standardised in 1937, its dimensions are slightly different and its polarization is flipped.

As of February 2025[update], only South Africa has introduced a standard (SANS 164-2)[3] based closely on IEC 60906-1.

IEC 60906-1 plugs are similar in size and shape to the Europlug, with the front profile being a flat hexagon.

South Africa is the only country to have incorporated IEC 60906-1 plugs and sockets into its own national standards as SANS 164–2.

It was concluded with wide participation of the manufacturers of plugs and sockets and of electrical and electronic equipment, in July of 1998, with the publication of the norm ABNT NBR 14136.

REFIT found that "the harmonisation of plug and socket outlet systems in Europe, by introducing changes in national wiring legislations (would have) important transitional periods (above 75 years)", and that the cost to "replace the old socket-outlets (and the corresponding plugs of the appliances being used)" was estimated at 100 billion Euro, "generating a huge environmental impact, producing some 700 000 tons of electrical waste".

Modern injection moulding technology enables robust and safe plugs to be smaller than the Schuko and BS 1363 systems, which were designed in the early- and mid-20th century respectively.

The unfused IEC 60906-1 is incompatible with UK law which requires an appropriately-rated fuse in the plug to protect the attached flexible cord.

However, since 1 January 2013, only type 11 and 12 plugs with partially sleeved line and neutral pins are allowed to be imported and distributed in Switzerland to reduce the risk of electrical shocks.

The IEC 60906-1 is similar to the Italian plug CEI 23-50 10 A ("Type L"), with the same front profile shaped as a flat hexagon and the same position of the line and neutral pins (the centres spaced 19 mm apart).