Compliance Insights June 2024

New standard/amendment publications

AS 1530.8.1:2018 Amendment 1:2024

Methods for Fire Tests on Building Materials, Components and Structures, Part 8.1: Tests on Elements of Construction for Buildings Exposed to Simulated Bushfire Attack – Radiant Heat and Small Flaming Sources

Amendment 1 published on June 21, 2024
FYI only

AS 1530.8.2:2018 Amendment 1:2024

Methods for Fire Tests on Building Materials, Components and Structures, Part 8.2: Tests on Elements of Construction for Buildings Exposed to Simulated Bushfire Attack – Large Flaming Sources

Amendment 1 published on June 21, 2024
FYI only

AS/NZS 60335.2.7:2020 Amendment 1:2024

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.7: Particular Requirements for Washing Machines

Amendment 1 published on June 28, 2024
AU/NZ-only variation

Replaces the text of Clause 20.106 (drum child entrapment test) with additional clarification that two separate independent means are required to start or restart the wash cycle after the door is closed.

Date of application: June 28, 2026

AS/NZS 60598.2.25:2001 Amendment 1

Luminaires, Part 2.25: Particular Requirements – Luminaires for Use in Clinical Areas of Hospitals and Health Care Buildings – Amendment 1

Amendment 1 published on June 21, 2024

• Editorial change.
• Reference to IEC 60601-1 and IEC 60601-2-41 instead of AS/NZS 3200.1.

AS/NZS 60898.1:2024

Electrical Accessories – Circuit-Breakers for Overcurrent Protection for Household and Similar Installations, Part 1: Circuit-Breakers for A.C. Operation

New edition published on June 8, 2024

• Revision of 9.5 terminals.
• Revision of glow wire test.
• Simplification of figures for short circuit tests.

AS/NZS 61558.2.3:2024

Safety of Transformers, Reactors, Power Supply Units and Combinations Thereof Part 2.3: Particular Requirements and Tests for Ignition Transformers for Gas and Oil Burners

New edition published on June 28, 2024
Identical adoption of IEC 61558-2-3:2023, Ed. 3.0
Primary change is adjustment of structure and references to align with AS/NZS 61558.1:2018
Date of application: June 28, 2027

AS/NZS 61558.2.7:2024

Safety of Transformers, Reactors, Power Supply Units and Combinations Thereof – Part 2.7: Particular Requirements and Tests for Transformers and Power Supply Units for Toys

New edition published on June 28, 2024
Identical adoption of IEC 61558-2-7:2023, Ed. 3.0

• Primary change is adjustment of structure and references to align with AS/NZS 61558.1:2018.
• Also adds new marking symbol for power supply with linearly regulated output voltage.

Date of application: June 28, 2027

AS/NZS 62841.3.5:2024

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 3.5: Particular Requirements for Transportable Circular Saws

New edition published on June 28, 2024
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-3-5:2022, Ed. 1.0

AS/NZS 62841.4.4:2021 Amendment 1:2024

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety, Part 4.4: Particular Requirements for Lawn Trimmers, Lawn Edge Trimmers, Grass Trimmers, Brush Cutters and Brush Saws

Correction Amendment 1 published on June 28, 2024
Revision to foreword clarifying that AS/NZS 60335.2.91:2008 may continue to be used for lawn edge trimmers with rigid cutting means after Nov. 26, 2024
Date of application: June 28, 2024

Regulatory changes

ACCC: Review of the existing regulatory framework for household consumer electrical products

The ACCC is conducting a “target” review to improve or maintain safety levels while ensuring that regulation is fit for purpose, efficient and effective. More information here:

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/review-of-the-regulatory-framework-for-the-safety-of-household-electrical-products

ACCC: Increase in product recall for products containing button/coin batteries

We are seeing ongoing auditing and recalls involving products that contain button batteries. Please ensure that products containing button batteries comply with the safety and information standards published here:

https://www.productsafety.gov.au/product-safety-laws/safety-standards-bans/mandatory-standards/button-and-coin-batteries

Standards/amendments published but pending application

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

AS/NZS 60335.2.4:2021

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.4: Particular Requirements for Spin Extractors

New edition published on Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.4:2010
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-4:2021, Ed. 7.0

• Aligns the text with IEC 60335-1, Ed. 5.2.
• Includes Test Probe 18 (child’s finger) assessment when defining “accessible parts”.
• Includes Test Probe 18 for accessibility of live parts (Cl. 8).

Application date: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.24:2021  

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.24: Particular Requirements for Refrigerating Appliances, Ice-Cream Appliances and Ice-Makers

New edition published on Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.24:2010
Modified adoption of IEC 60335-2-24:2020, Ed. 8

• Multiple notes promoted to normative text throughout.
• Clarifies definition of “free space” (Cl. 3.6.104) by suggesting that 150 mm sphere or 200 mm cube can be used to identify volumes to be disregarded from the calculation.
• Includes measurement of the input current of refrigerating appliances using inverter-driven motor compressors (Cl. 10.2); duration of test is six hours (instead of one hour for conventional motor compressors).
• Introduces compatibility tests for winding insulation of motor compressors used with different types of refrigerants and oils (Cl. 22.9); not required if the motor compressor component complies with IEC 60335-2-34.
• Multiple changes and clarifications to flammable refrigerant testing requirements (Cl. 22.108, 22.109) due to changes in the IEC 60079 series of standards.
• Aluminium fins of heat exchangers and other aluminium parts in contact with outer surfaces of copper pipes excluded from galvanic assessment (Cl. 22.111).
• Added enhanced mechanical strength classification and test to accessible glass panel assessment (Cl. 22.116).
• Introduces new requirements for material encasing and in contact with thermal insulation in refrigerating appliances, replacing needle flame testing or V-0 or V-1 classified material (added Cl. 22.117 and Annex EE, removed Cl. 30.2.101); note: AU/NZ national differences replace Annex EE with “void” and only accept metallic material or 5VA polymeric materials.
• Additional requirements for motor-running capacitors (capacitor simply housed within metallic or ceramic housing would not comply) (Cl. 24.5, 24.8).

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.34:2021

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.34: Particular Requirements for Motor-Compressors

New edition published on Nov. 26, 2021
Superseding AS/NZS 60335.2.34:2016
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-34:2021, Ed. 6

• Introduces use of a motorette for winding wire compatibility tests (Cl. 3.8.102, Annex BB).
• Introduces optional pressure endurance test (Cl. 18.101, Annex EE).
• Clarifies compatibility test for insulation inside the housing (Cl. 22.9).
• Clarifies clearances inside the housing for motor compressors suitable for use at altitudes exceeding 2,000 m (Cl. 29.1).
• Updated breaking strength of tie cord after temperature heating cycle (Annex CC).

Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 60335.2.113:2017 Amendment No. 1  

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2.113: Particular Requirements for Cosmetic and Beauty Care Appliances Incorporating Lasers and Intense Light Sources

Amendment 1 published on Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 60335-2-113, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Removes definition for embedded laser and maximum permissible exposure.
• Changes laser beam warning symbol (Cl. 7.6).
• Adds different leakage current limit for applicator and additional leakage current assessment between applicator and piles of the supply with each supply conductor (Cl. 13.2, 13.101).
• Adds mechanical strength against crushing and drop test for detachable power supply (Cl. 21.102, 21.103).
• Adjustment to laser type grouping/classification (Cl. 22.107).
• Changes stray optical radiation exposure limit (Cl. 22.108, 22.109, 32.101, 32.102).
• Beauty care appliances with lasers or intense light sources considered as unattended appliances and others as attended appliances for glow wire (Cl. 30.2).

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.2.1:2018 Amendment No. 1  

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 2.1: Particular Requirements for Hand-Held Drills and Impact Drills

Amendment 1 published on Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 602841-2-1, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Clarifies that rotary screwdrivers, impact wrenches and rachet drivers are not within the scope of this standard, but IEC 62841-2-2. (Cl. 1).
• Splits the safety-critical function for output speed prevention in Table 4 into two categories (more than 150% of no-load speed less than 3,500 rpm, and more than 130% of no-load speed more than 3,500 rpm) (Cl. 18.8).
• Modifies no-load speed at rated voltage to be less than 120% of rated no-load speed (Cl. 19.6).
• Additional handle hazard assessment for electronically controlled torque (Cl. 19.102.3, 19.102.4, Annex K.18.8, K.19.102).
• Power switch trigger and lock-off devices to prevent inadvertent starting are not applicable (Cl. 21.18.1.2).
• Clarification for impact drills and diamond core drills during noise and vibration emissions (Annex I).

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.3.10:2017 Amendment No. 1

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 3.10: Particular Requirements for Transportable Cut-Off Machines

Amendment 1 published on Nov. 25, 2022

Identical adoption of IEC 602841-3-10, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Updates safety-critical function (SCF) Table 4 by including SCF for “Prevent exceeding thermal limits” and “Function to have two separate actions before motor start,” removes “lock-off function” and “prevent self-resetting SCF” and changes the “desired switched off power switch” minimum performance level to 50 years (Cl. 18.8).
• Removes the recording requirement of wheel speed during wheel guard strength test (Cl. 20.102.1).
• Dust collection requirement (Cl. 21.35) and non-self-resetting protection device or circuit (Cl. 23.3) are not applicable.
• Clarifies the steel bar type for cutting during noise tests (Annex I.2.5).

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.2:2018 Amendment No. 1

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.2: Particular Requirements for Hedge Trimmers

Amendment 1 published on Nov. 25, 2022
Identical adoption of IEC 602841-4-2, Ed. 1, Amendment 1

• Clarifies that maximum speed is attained when adjusted in accordance with manufacturer’s spec and/or instruction; when maximum speed is not attended under no-load condition, manufacturer shall provide special hardware or software to attain this (Cl. 3.11, 5.103).
• Minor modification to marking and instructions (Cl. 8.2, 8.14).
• After IPX testing, the appliance should not start with power switch in off position; creepage distance of insulation shall not be reduced by traces of water; if creepage distances are reduced, it will be short-circuited and evaluated for fire risk and loss of safety-critical function (Cl. 14.2.2).
• Added warning for overheating of cutting device during continuous operation (Cl. 17.2).
• Minor change to handle perimeter dimension (Cl. 19.101.1.1).
• Additional requirement for 25 mm clearance around blade control (Cl. 19.101.1.2, 19.101.1.3, 19.101.2.1, 19.101.2.2, 19.101.2.3).
• Added torque (2 Nm) used for adjustable handle assessment (Cl. 19.101.3.2).
• Additional requirement for hand protection for single-sided hedge trimmers (Cl. 19.102.2.1).
• Blunt extension exempted for Category 4 hedge trimmer with a blade configuration where there are only two handles and the front handle is a stick-type handle that is permanently fixed to the smooth side of a single-sided cutting device (Cl. 19.103.2.4).
• Clarifies that same sample can be reused for drop test if without failure (Cl. 20.3.1).
• Change of measurement point for deflection/deform strength from blade control and cutter blade to power switch and cutter blade (Cl. 20.101.3.3).
• Additional requirement for operator presence sensor whose motion is mechanically obstructed; the response time of returning to locked state upon release of blade control extended from one second to five seconds (Cl. 21.17.1, 21.18.102.3).
• Minor modification to handle and shaft of extended-reach hedge trimmer (Cl. 21.30.101).
• Non-self-resetting protection devices are not applicable for machines fitted with two blade controls that require simultaneous actuation and extended-reach hedge trimmers (Cl. 23.3)..
• Considers creepage/clearance requirement for transient overvoltages originating in the equipment not exceeding 4,000 V and clarifies method of how protection against deposition can be achieved (Cl. 28.1).

Date of application: Nov. 25, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.3:2021

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.3: Particular Requirements for Pedestrian Controlled Walk-Behind Lawnmowers

New edition published on Nov. 26, 2021
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.77:2002
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-4-3:2020, Ed. 1
Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024

AS/NZS 62841.4.4:2021

Electric Motor-Operated Hand-Held Tools, Transportable Tools and Lawn and Garden Machinery – Safety – Part 4.4: Particular Requirements for Lawn Trimmers, Lawn Edge Trimmers, Grass Trimmers, Brush Cutters and Brush Saws

New edition published on Nov. 26, 2021
Supersedes AS/NZS 60335.2.91:2008
Identical adoption of IEC 62841-4-4:2020, Ed. 1
Date of application: Nov. 26, 2024