Importing electrical appliances
If you import electrical appliances for sale in Australia you have specific obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 regarding the safety of the appliances you import.
Household appliances are separated into two classification types: ‘prescribed equipment’ and ‘nonprescribed equipment’.
‘Prescribed’ means that the product MUST have a current valid Australian certificate of approval, and is marked as required by that certificate of approval, before the equipment is sold.
‘Non-prescribed’ means that the product must be shown to be electrically safe and shown to comply with safety requirements of AS/NZS 3820 before being sold.
A voluntary Australian certificate of approval may be obtained for this category of product as a way of showing compliance with the law. A list of products that are classified as ‘prescribed’ is available online at www.deir.qld.gov.au.
An example of a nameplate and its approval marking is also available online. It is important to know that every standard two and three pin supply plug is required to have a current valid Australian certificate of approval and all plugs are all now required to have a portion of the live pins insulated.
The approval number should be marked on the plug. It is also mandatory for all supply cords to have a current valid Australian certificate of approval and be marked with its approval number. Prescribed equipment must have a correctly marked approval number, and if it has a supply cord and plug then the supply cord and insulated pin plug must have a certificate of approval and be marked with their approval number.
Importers should keep copies of the Australian certificate of approval (if the equipment is within the prescribed category).
As an importer (or supplier) looking to obtain an Australian approval certificate for a prescribed appliance, there are a number of things that you should attempt to source from the manufacturer.
- Copies of any overseas test report that they may have.
- Copies of the approval certificates for the supply cord and plug.
- Copy of the wiring diagram.
Specific guides to help you apply for approval and the documentation required with the application forms is available online.
If you want to import a product that does not have an overseas test report you will have to contact a laboratory in Australia (or New Zealand) to obtain quotes for the assessment of your product.
You can find an accredited laboratory on the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) website.
Importer and suppliers should ensure any non-prescribed equipment for which they have obtained suitable evidence (e.g. Australian certificate of approval or test report to electrical safety standards) meets the safety criteria of AS/NZS 3820.
There are also private companies that can work on your behalf as electrical consultants, which manage the complete process for you and advise you specifically what is required from you to get your product ready for sale in Australia and New Zealand.
Instructions on how to install and use the electrical equipment safely should always be supplied for all electrical equipment.
Last updated 3 October 2008
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