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Compliance Insights August 2023

The August 2023 updates to standards and regulatory frameworks impacting the design, import or distribution of electrical products in Australia and New Zealand.

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September 18, 2023

Regulatory changes

Electrical safety – CTF3 and CTF4 CB Reports

https://www.eess.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23-063-Guidance-document-IECEE-CB-test-report-acceptance-v1.0-1.pdf

EESS-aligned Australian electrical safety regulators have formally instructed third-party certifiers not to accept CTF3 or CTF4 IECEE CB scheme reports via EESS Guidance Document 23-063, published Aug. 30, 2023. These client test facility (CTF) stages allow for testing to be conducted by manufacturer staff (under some level of supervision or monitoring by CB test laboratory staff).

CTF1 and CTF2 reports (where CB test laboratory staff are directly involved with testing at the manufacturer’s site) will continue to be accepted.

We understand that a similar notice from NSW fair trading will be published in the near future.

Electrical safety – EESS Bulletin 21-030 – Power supply/battery charger standards

https://www.eess.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/21-030-Information-bulletin-power-suppy-battery-charger-standards-v2.0.pdf

EESS-aligned Australian electrical safety regulators have updated EESS Information Bulletin 21-030 with version 2 being published Aug. 30, 2023. 

The following changes have been implemented:

  • Additional clarification for power supplies for toys, bells/chimes and hand lamps that were omitted from version 1.
  • Additional clarification that certificates issued for appliance power supplies need to include AS/NZS 61558.2.xx (in addition to the AS/NZS 60335.2.xx standard appropriate for the appliance).
  • Certificates are no longer required to include the specific brand and type of equipment that the power supply is to be used with. (Responsible supplier is required to provide information about the way the electrical equipment must be used to ensure that its use is electrically safe. In some cases, this may include details of the type, brand and models to be used with the power supply/charger).

Standard/amendment published but pending application

The following standards have an application date within the next six months:

AS/NZS 3120:2021

Approval and test specification – Cord extension sockets
New edition, published on Oct. 1, 2021

  • Cl. 1.3.3 New definition – Cord extension sockets with clamping or locking mechanism
  • Cl. 2.4.1 Terminal and Internal Connections – Material 
  • Cl. 2.5.1 Contacts – Material 
  • Cl. 3.8 Inlet Plugs – Screws, current carrying parts and connections
  • Additional information on what is considered to be "corrosion-resisting metal.” Additional requirements for terminals and internal connections (must be checked by the test of AS/NZS 3100 protection against mechanical and electrical failure).
  • Cl. 2.12 – Means of entry and cord anchorage: 
  • Allowance for manufacturer or supplier to specify cord or range of cords. Reference to specific clause (2.20.4) added for the non-rewireable socket tests.

Table 2.1 Socket rating 7.5A removed.

  • Cl. 2.17 – Added tumbling barrel test and IPXXD probe test for cord extension sockets incorporating a switch
  • Cl. 2.18 – New requirement (and test 2.20.3) added for cord extension sockets with a clamping mechanism
  • Cl. 2.19.1 (f) – New marking requirement for cord extension sockets with a clamping mechanism
  • Cl. 2.20.2 – Clarification that the withdrawal force test is conducted without any clamping mechanism engaged/clamped
  • Cl. 2.20.3 – New test for cord extension sockets with a clamping mechanism
  • Table 2.4 – Cords for cord anchorage test revised – 0.75 mm2 and <10 A rating deleted from table
  • Cl. 2.20.13 – Clarification added that the depth of contact tests is verified per AS/NZS 3112 "depth of contact" tests

Figure 3.1 – Correction to R27.0 value in drawing

  • Cl. 3.6 – Clarification added that parts shall be subject to the mechanical strength test of AS/NZS 3100. 

Date of application: Oct. 1, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.1:2020 Amendment 1

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 1: General requirements 
Amendment 1, published on Nov. 26, 2021

  • For AS variation only: Defines the “rated voltage” for the purposes of testing to be “230-240 V” for appliances intended to be connected to mains supply if the marked supply voltage does not include 230 V or 240 V 

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.25:2020

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Particular requirements for microwave ovens, including combination microwave ovens
New edition, published on Dec. 18, 2020
Supersedes AS/NZ 60335.2.25:2011
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-25 Ed 7

  • Clarification for normal operation that last cycles excluded one minute rest period. 
  • Clarifies that winding temperature rise is measured “during the tests.” 
  • Added alternative measurement method during abnormal operation if microwave leakage exceeds 100 W/m2 – (Cl 19.101)
  • Additional requirement that interlock switch operated by detachable part should not cause accidental operation (cl 22.120)
  • Additional requirement for simultaneous activation of heating elements and motors. (Cl 22.121)

Date of application: Dec. 18, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.30:2015 Amendment 4

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.30: Particular requirements for room heaters 
Amendment 4; Published on 2021-11-26
Modified text adoption of IEC 60335-2-30:2009 Ed 5 Amendment 2.

  • Adds surface temperature probe specification for accessible surface measurement (11.3, 11.8 and table 101 updated). 
  • Requires supply cord for outdoor heaters to be polychloroprene sheathed or equivalent synthetic elastomer. 
  • AU/NZ national differences replace the wording “switched off” in clause 30.2.1 with “switched off or otherwise rendered inoperative” 

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.32:2020

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.32: Particular requirements for massage appliances 
New edition, published on Nov. 27, 2020
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.32:2014
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-32:2019 Ed 5

  • Additional requirements for accessible surface temperatures (Cl 11)
  • Alternative stability requirements for hand-held appliances (Cl 20.2)
  • New mechanical strength test (drop test) for hand-held appliances (Cl 21.101)

Date of application: Nov. 27, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.53:2011 Amendment 2

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.53: Particular requirements for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins 
Amendment 2, published on Nov. 26, 2021
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-53:2011 Ed 4 Amendment 2

  • Minor changes to warning statements for instruction manual – enhancing the supervision/inspection requirements 
  • Added setup and temperature rise requirement for sauna room of Annex AA, prefabricated sauna and prefabricated infrared cabin during cl. 11 normal operation
  • Clarification to type of sauna heaters subject to cl 19.101 and 19.102 abnormal operation.
  • Enhanced limitations on maximum operational duration for timers or programmable timer (22.103).
  • Additional requirement that sauna heating appliances shall have indication light or display option when switched on (22.110) 

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.84:2020

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Particular requirements for toilet appliances
New edition, published on Nov. 27, 2020.
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.84:2014
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-84:2019 Ed 3

  • Added installation instructions in IM for the placement of warning label regarding disposal of glowing cigarettes or other burning material (7.12.1)
  • Additional requirements for appliances that have programmable electronic circuits that limit the number of heating elements and motors from being energized at the same time (22.105, Annex R)

Date of application: Nov. 27, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.95:2020

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Particular requirements for drives for vertically moving garage doors for residential use
New edition, published on Nov. 27, 2020
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.95:2012
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-95:2019 Ed 4

  • Minor revision to instruction requirements to separate between “substance of” items and more general information (7.12)
  • Added requirements for instructions to include safe handling details for drives over 20 kg (cl 7.12)
  • Added requirement for markings to be included in the instructions (cl 7.15)
  • Added allowance for Trademark and model name can be retrieved from label barcode, which should be visible on appliance after installation (cl 7.15)
  • Clarified requirements for mechanical safety tests (clause 20.101 – 20.106) during protective electronic circuit (PEC) fault testing. The driven part must also stop at safe position during these test (cl 19.13)
  • Added relaxations for class III appliance supply cords (cl 25.8, 25.15)

Date of application: Nov. 27, 2023

AS/NZS 60335.2.107:2020

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Particular requirements for robotic battery-powered electrical lawnmowers
New edition, published on Dec. 18, 2020
Supersedes AS/NZ 60335.2.107:2013
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-107 Ed 2.1

  • Added definition for peripherals, automatic mode, cell, battery, fully charged, discharged, general purpose (battery/cell), switched circuit and power switch
  • Additional requirement for rating label marking, warnings and instruction manual (cl 7)
  • Clarifying charging stations and perimeter delimiter are to be protected against live parts (cl 8)
  • New protection against electric shock requirement for hazardous battery voltages (cl 8.101)
  • Revise leakage and high voltage assessment to include all mains powered peripherals 
  • Remove motor lock rotor and running overload test (cl 19.7 and 19.9)
  • Clarification to electronic fault testing (cl 19.11) 
  • Revised stability and mechanical hazards requirements for manual controller, manual stop, cutting means stopping time, traction drive stopping and restart procedures, as well as a new standing and kneeling child foot probe test (cl 20)
  • Revised construction requirements for disabling devices, working area, perimeter delimiter, sensors and manual controller, as well as new requirements for machine connectors used for charging and contact surfaces used as obstruction sensing devices (cl 22)
  • Revised switch component requirement to address the loading condition experienced by the machine (cl 24)
  • Revise creepage and clearance requirements for the machine and non-mains-powered peripherals (cl 29)
  • Additional information for operation of the lift sensor, tilt sensor, obstruction sensor and rollover sensor (Annex JJ)
  • Revised requirement for battery operation and charging (Annex KK replace Annex B and Annex S).

Date of application: Dec. 18, 2023

AS/NZS 62841.3.1:2015 Amendment 2

Electric motor-operated hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery – Safety – Part 3.1: Particular requirements for transportable table saws 
Amendment 2, published on Nov. 26, 2021
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-3-1:2014 Ed 1 A1.

  • Additional statements to be added in instruction manual
  • Added minimum performance level for “provide run-down time as required by 19.105” as part of requirement for electronics circuit providing safety critical functions (18.8)
  • Clarification to saw blade guard and guarding below table abnormal operation in clause 19.101.2.8 and 19.102
  • Replaced “rupture resistance” wording to “ultimate tensile strength” (19.102)
  • Added limit for ultimate tensile strength and Izod notched impact strength required for saw blade guard’s other non-metallic material
  • Changes to depth of cut and bevel angle setting construction assessment (21.103.2) 
  • Extra warning statement for battery tools

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2023 

AS/NZS 62841.3.9:2020

Electric motor-operated hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery – Safety – Particular requirements for transportable mitre saws
New edition, published on Nov. 26, 2020
Supersedes AS/NZS 62841.3.9:2015
Identical adoption of IEC 62841.3.9:2020 Ed 2.0

  • Increase the maximum saw blade diameter to 410 mm
  • Minor changes to abnormal operation of mitre saw. (19.101.7)
  • Clarification to guard material requirement (20.1)
  • Modification to table top dimension requirement. (21.102.1)

Date of application: Nov. 27,  2023

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