How to get an AS/NZS 4417.1:2012 Test Report?

Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) – Equipment Safety Rules for Australia and New Zealand

Product Scope:

1. Rated at voltages greater than 50V AC RMS or 120V ripple-free DC; and

2. Less than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC; and

3. Intended for household, personal, or similar use.

The regulations and safety rules apply only to in-scope electrical equipment (typically used by consumers or found in household installations).

Sales Requirements:

1. All responsible suppliers of in-scope equipment must be a legal entity in Australia or New Zealand (including foreign companies with a registered business in Australia or New Zealand) and be registered on the national EESS database as a Responsible Supplier.

2. All level 2 (medium risk) and level 3 (high risk) electrical equipment must be registered in the national database before being sold.

3. Responsible suppliers must maintain documentation and evidence appropriate to the risk level:

Level 2:A compliance folder is required. If the supplier does not hold it, it must be obtained.

Level 3:A valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is required.

4. All in-scope electrical equipment must be marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).

Relevant AS/NZS Standards:

1. AS/NZS 3000– Wiring Rules

2. AS/NZS 3820– Essential safety requirements for low-voltage electrical equipment

3. AS/NZS 4417 Series– Regulatory compliance mark:

Part 1 (4417.1)– General rules for use of the mark

Part 2 (4417.2)– Specific requirements for electrical safety regulations

Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ):

Procedure 15 – General requirements for product certification bodies (aligned with IAF GD 5)

Responsible Supplier Obligations:

1. Responsible suppliers are primarily responsible for ensuring their electrical equipment complies with safety regulations, including:

a) Registration – See sections 7.4, 7.6, and 7.7

b) Marking – See section 12

2. Compliance documentation must be available within 10 working days upon request by Australian or New Zealand authorities.

Authorized representatives must:

1. Make Responsible Supplier declarations

2. Maintain or provide access to records:

Compliance folders for level 2

Certificates of Conformity for level 3

3. Notify changes to registration details

Registration on the National Database:

All suppliers of in-scope electrical equipment must register on the national database. Upon registration, they will receive a unique Responsible Supplier Registration Number.

Equipment Registration Fees and Renewal:

Registration periods for level 2 or 3 equipment are 1, 2, or 5 years (for level 3, registration cannot exceed the CoC validity period).

Out-of-Scope Equipment:

Responsible suppliers of electrical equipment not defined as in-scope under EESS are not required to register.

Note:These suppliers are still responsible for ensuring electrical safety through compliance with AS/NZS 3820.

Examples: commercial toasters, cash registers, mobile phones (note: mobile chargersfall under level 3).

RCM Labeling Requirements:

1. The RCM must be affixed on the external surface of the equipment, near the model identification.

2. If not feasible due to size/nature, RCM may be on the packaging.

3. Color: any; Height: minimum 3mm; Model/brand text: minimum 1mm.

RCM can also be used voluntarily if the supplier is registered and complies with Part 2 of the AS/NZS 4417 standard.

Imported Products:

All electrical products imported into Australia must demonstrate electrical safety compliance.

Certain regulated products require SAA Approval and labeling.

Level 3 products (declared under EESS) mustbe approved, certified, and labeled with a CoC number or the RCM.

Risk Classification of Low Voltage Electrical Equipment:

Level 1 (Low Risk)

Level 2 (Medium Risk)

Level 3 (High Risk)

Defined in: Definition and Risk Classification for In-Scope Electrical Equipment (EESS)

Low Voltage Equipment:

1. > 50V AC RMS or >120V ripple-free DC

2. <1000V AC RMS or <1500V ripple-free DC

3. For household, personal, or similar purposes

Relevant Standards Hierarchy:

1. Specific AS/NZSstandards + AS/NZS 3820

2. If no specific AS/NZS standard: IEC standards + AS/NZS 3820

3. If none apply: AS/NZS 3820 (baseline)

Risk Level Requirements:

Level 1 (Low Risk):

1. Meet relevant standards

2. rcm marking

3. English documentation proving compliance

4. Connection with a registered responsible supplier

5. Example:Video and image display devices (AS/NZS 62368.1)

Level 2 (Medium Risk):

1. Meet relevant standards

2. RCM marking

3. EESS registration

4. Compliance folder maintained by the supplier, accessible within 10 days if requested

Example:TV receivers (AS/NZS 62368.1)

Testing for Level 1 and 2:Can be conducted by any lab or internal lab

> Note:For voluntary Certificates of Suitability under EESS, tests must be from accredited labs.

Compliance Folder Must Include:

a) Product description:

1. Brand/model

2. Design documents (manuals, schematics, drawings)

3. Photos, artwork, labels

4. Usage, installation, safety instructions

b) Assessment records:

1. Test methods and results

2. Standards applied

3. Critical components list

4. Information on testing personnel, qualifications, recognitions

Retention:Must be kept for 5 years after registration ends and updated while the product is available.

Level 3 (High Risk):

1. Meet relevant standards

2. RCM marking

3. Valid Certificate of Conformity

4. EESS database registration

Examples:

Adapters: AS/NZS 62368.1, AS/NZS 61558.2.16, etc.

Vacuum cleaners, shavers, heaters, fans, plugs, sockets, etc.

Testing Requirement:Must be done by an accredited laboratory.

Acceptable Labs:

1. Accredited by NATA (Australia), IANZ (New Zealand), or ILAC MRA signatories

2. Labs under the IEC CB Scheme

3. Labs recognized under bilateral government agreements

4. All reports must include a test certificate (full, partial, or amended report).

RCM Mark:

1. A unified symbolrepresenting electrical safety and/or EMC compliance for products in Australia and New Zealand

2. Owned by regulators in both countries

3. Not mandatory, unless otherwise required by law

4. To legally sell in-scope equipment, it must be marked with RCM per AS/NZS 4417.1 & 4417.2

saa certification:

1. Provided by a JAS-ANZaccredited body

2. Recognized across Australia and New Zealand

3. Issued under the RECS scheme; verifiable on the EESS/RCM database

4. Products mustmeet SAA requirements to enter the Australian market

Two types of SAA marks:

1. Form approval:For samples only

2. Standard mark:Requires factory audits

Common certification scope includes:

1. Quality management

2. Environmental management

3. Occupational health and safety

4. Information security

Typical timeline: 3–4 weeks(may vary with product quality)

Non-compliant shipments may be seized, withheld, or fined.

Certificates are valid for up to 5 years.