In-scope electrical equipment
In-scope electrical equipment is used in household, personal or similar situations. This definition holds even if the manufacturer claims the equipment is designed or marketed for commercial or industrial purposes.
In-scope electrical equipment is low voltage electrical equipment that is:
- rated at greater than 50V AC RMS or 120V ripple-free DC (extra-low voltage)
- rated at less than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC (high voltage)
- designed, or marketed as suitable for household, personal or similar use.
In-scope equipment must meet certain requirements prior to being available for sale. There are proportionate requirements based on the identified risk level of the equipment.
Requirements to sell in-scope equipment
If your product is in-scope electrical equipment, then you are a 'responsible supplier' and to sell it you need to:
- have appropriate evidence your in-scope electrical equipment is electrically safe in accordance with the risk level
- register as responsible supplier under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS)
- register your equipment (depending on the risk level 1, 2 or 3) under the EESS
- mark your product with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).
Equipment risk categories
In-scope equipment is broken into 3 categories.
Level 3
Level 3 is electrical equipment that is classified as high risk and is defined in the AS/NZS 4417.2. View a list of level 3 electrical equipment (PDF, 961KB).
Level 3 equipment requires a Certificate of Conformity issued by government regulators or a Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS). To obtain these certificates you need accredited test reports that must show the equipment meets relevant safety standards. Find out about obtaining a Certificate of Conformity for level 3 equipment.
You must register Level 3 equipment on the EESS Registration Database and link it to a responsible supplier.
Level 2
Level 2 is electrical equipment that is classified as medium risk and is defined in the AS/NZS 4417.2. View a list of level 2 electrical equipment.
For level 2 equipment, you must keep a compliance folder that must be available upon request within 10 days. The compliance folder details evidence that the equipment is electrically safe and meets the relevant standard.
Find out about obtaining a voluntary Certificate of Suitability for level 2 equipment.
You must register Level 2 equipment on the EESS Registration Database and link to it to a responsible supplier. You can find details of what should be in a compliance folder in Appendix B of the Equipment safety rules.
Level 1
Level 1 is electrical equipment that is classified low risk or unknown risk and is any in-scope electrical equipment not classified as Risk Level 3 or Risk Level 2.
For level 1 equipment, the responsible supplier must be registered and have access to evidence that the equipment is electrically safe and meets the relevant standard.
Find out about obtaining a voluntary Certificate of Suitability for level 1 equipment.
As a responsible supplier, you must be registered on the EESS before you can sell or supply level 1 equipment and can register the brand and type for level 1 equipment on the EESS.
Model numbers can voluntarily be listed. Listing level 1 equipment does not attract fees.
Equipment that is not in-scope
Electrical equipment that is not in-scope (e.g. a commercial oven in a bakery) still needs to be electrically safe.
The designer, manufacturer or importer must ensure the product is tested and examined and is electrically safe. This is generally shown when the equipment meets the essential safety criteria of AS/NZS 3820:2009 Essential safety requirements for electrical equipment.
If you are in control of the electrical equipment, you also have a duty to ensure the equipment is electrically safe.
Also consider...
- Learn more about the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).