Industries & Occupations
Approval of electrical equipment in Tasmania
The Electrical Regulatory Authority in each State and Territory of Australia administers regulations aimed at preventing the sale of unsafe electrical equipment. The office of Electricity Standards and Safety performs this role by approving electrical equipment for use in Tasmania.
Sale of used electrical appliances or equipment
Safety specifications
Declared electrical equipment
Other (non-declared) equipment
Modifications to equipment
Application for approval or modification
Renewal of equipment approval and replacement certificates
Test reports
Useful information:
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Sale of used electrical appliances or equipment
Safety specifications
Standards Australia publishes a series of standards for the purpose of testing electrical equipment to verify compliance with safety requirements. These standards are listed in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4417.2.
A number of Australian Standards closely follow IEC (International) Standards with specific national variations for Australian conditions.
Declared electrical equipment
Electrical equipment that is declared by class definition is published in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4417.2.
It is an offence under Part 4 of the Electricity Industry Safety and Administration Act 1997, for this declared electrical equipment to be sold or hired, unless approved by the Regulator or an external authority (being an authority of another State or of New Zealand) and clearly marked as required.
Further information on the declared electrical equipment as listed in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4417.2 may be obtained from the office of Electricity Standards and Safety.
Additional classes of equipment may become declared from time to time by agreement between all the State Regulatory Authorities.
Other (non-declared) equipment
Electrical equipment which is not declared may be sold without first being approved, however, it is the responsibility of the vendor, manufacturer or importer to ensure that the non-declared electrical equipment offered to the public meets relevant minimum safety standards.
One way of ensuring that the electrical equipment meets relevant minimum safety standards is to submit the equipment on a voluntary basis for approval and issue of a Certificate of Suitability by the Office of Electricity Standards and Safety.
Modifications to equipment
Where modifications are made to previously approved equipment and it is desired to maintain the approval, the applicant must apply to the Office of Electricity Standards and Safety to have such modifications approved.
Separate applications are required for those modifications sought at the time of original approval submission.
Modification is generally considered to be a result of
(i) a change of components, materials or equipment design
(ii) an extension of the list of approved articles in the form of a new model or option
(iii) a change of catalogue or model number or
(iv) achange of manufacturer.
Approval of a modification is valid only for the remaining term of the original approval.
Where a modification is determined to constitute a new type of equipment, application should be made for its separate approval.
Application for approval or modification
Applications for approval of equipment or modification should be lodged with the office of Electricity Standards and Safety and include the following
- a completed and signed application form, which for modifications includes an itemised list of deviations from the originally approved article and a declaration that the remainder of the article is unchanged
- application fee
- where practicable a complete, compliant production sample of the equipment
- a fully compliant acceptable test report
- supporting documentation including installation and operating instructions, circuit diagrams and materials and component lists.
Renewal of equipment approval and replacement certificates
- Renewal of Approval
The procedure for applying for renewal of an approval is the same as for the original application. It is the responsibility of the approval holder to make sure applications be made prior to expiry of the existing approval.
Each modification sought should be listed in accordance with the application guidelines previously described. - Replacement Certificates
Any request for a replacement certificate must be made in writing to the Office of Electricity Standards and Safety. - Change of Particulars
The Office of Electricity Standards and Safety must be advised in writing of any change of name or address of an applicant or manufacturer.
Test reports
The applicant is responsible to ensure that test reports submitted in support of an application
(i) relate to the submitted article
(ii) are originals or certified copies
(iii) show full compliance with relevant current Australian Standards including any amendments or
(iv) comprise of a CB test report and certificate issued under the IECEE CB scheme, or comprises of a test report endorsed by an acceptable laboratory, (under the guidelines of Appendix A of AS/NZS 4417.2)
(v) are in English
(vi) are less than five years old
CB Test reports to IEC (International) standards are acceptable only when all published Australian national variations are included, or addressed in an addendum report from an acceptable test laboratory.
Where materials or components are the subject of separate testing, copies of reports should be provided to the test laboratory for reference and inclusion in their test report.
Acceptable test laboratories and consultants
Contact details for further information:
Electrical Safety Officer
Electricity Standards and Safety
30 Gordons Hill Road
PO Box 56
Rosny Park, TAS, 7018
Phone: 03 6233 7585
Fax: 03 6233 8844
Email: tony.millhouse@justice.tas.gov.au
