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November 3, 2012 at 11:08 pm #980532Up::0
If one was importing electrical goods, do they need to be approved / tested by any gov’t agency or similar first?
I’ve tried looking over the sites http://www.productsafety.gov.au & Standards Australia, but can’t locate anything that appears relevant.
This item I’ve been using at home with no issues & it would prove useful to many others – I just don’t wan’t to go tot he expense of importing any quantity to find there is some obscure regulation hidden in the sports section somewhere….
Thanks,
November 4, 2012 at 12:49 am #1123472November 5, 2012 at 2:22 am #1123473Up::0Hi HBTRADE,
I recommend looking at ERAC (Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council) it will point you in the right direction.
Cheers
Cat
HBTRADE, post: 139494 wrote:If one was importing electrical goods, do they need to be approved / tested by any gov’t agency or similar first?I’ve tried looking over the sites http://www.productsafety.gov.au & Standards Australia, but can’t locate anything that appears relevant.
This item I’ve been using at home with no issues & it would prove useful to many others – I just don’t wan’t to go tot he expense of importing any quantity to find there is some obscure regulation hidden in the sports section somewhere….
Thanks,
November 5, 2012 at 11:03 pm #1123474Up::0HBTRADE, post: 139494 wrote:If one was importing electrical goods, do they need to be approved / tested by any gov’t agency or similar first?Product approvals are a complex area; here is some initial sites to become familar with requirements (this is the Energy Safe Victoria website – the regulator in Victoria, other states will have their own regulatory bodies)
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/For-Consumers/Appliances-and-equipment
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/For-Consumers/Appliances-and-equipment/Electrical-appliances-and-equipmentFrom this site;
“All electrical appliances and equipment must be approved prior to being made available for public use..”
“It is illegal to sell unapproved electrical products. Outlets selling them may be fined $5,000 for individuals and $24,000 for companies.”Having said this – it is not all black and white, as equipment is classified as either ‘proscribed’ or ‘non-proscribed’. Further info here;
http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Electricity-Professionals/Electrical-equipment-and-appliances
Details relating to your obligations for the various categories can be reviewed here;
Paraphrasing from the above – if the products fall under the ‘proscribed’ categories you must obtain product approval prior to offer to supply the goods in Australia.
Approval from either ESV, another state regulatory Authority or the New Zealand energy service is required.If however, the item falls under the ‘non-proscribed’ category then it is possible to offer the product for sale, however you as the supplier have the responsibility of ensuring the product or equipment meets all relevant minimum safety standards…
One way to ensure this minimum standard is complied with is to submit the product on a voluntary basis for issue of a certificate of electrical safety.As an electrician, I would always encourage anyone comtemplating entering this space to make contact with their state electrical authority prior to commencing down a path.
The electrical regulators can be your greatest ally with early communication and can assist you through the processes and assist you with the options – ensuring the product is suitable and safe, and providing a level of comfort for you so you can sleep easily at night.
On the other hand they can be equally harsh on those that choose to proceed on their own whim with disregard to their obligations.Hope this helps and best of luck with your venture.
Cheers,
SteveNovember 25, 2012 at 9:04 am #1123475Up::0Thanks to those that replied. NSW Fair Trading was who was needed & the item I’m looking at will be tricky to get here legally – illegally it can be done, as I have the item at home already and in use.
There are (as always) a few hoops to jump through, a $450 payment with no guarantee of getting it passed – then the fact that once I’ve paid the way to get it cleared (if it is), anyone can bring it in without the added costs.
I also studied electrical back in the early 1980’s – I wouldn’t risk anything I felt unsafe.
Just to add to it for anyone else with these ideas…. NSW is the only state that currently isn’t part of the national system for electical approvals.
January 16, 2013 at 12:06 pm #1123476Up::0HBTRADE, post: 139494 wrote:If one was importing electrical goods, do they need to be approved / tested by any gov’t agency or similar first?I’ve tried looking over the sites http://www.productsafety.gov.au & Standards Australia, but can’t locate anything that appears relevant.
This item I’ve been using at home with no issues & it would prove useful to many others – I just don’t wan’t to go tot he expense of importing any quantity to find there is some obscure regulation hidden in the sports section somewhere….
Thanks,
Hi
All electrical products imported into Australia MUST have SAA approval.
Kind Regards
Brooke -
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