Feedback
Selling and supplying electrical equipment
As the supplier of electrical equipment you have a legal duty under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) to ensure your business is conducted in a way that is 'electrically safe'.
If your business imports or manufactures electrical equipment, you must ensure that the products you supply or sell are electrically safe and meet the relevant standard(s).
There are additional Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) legislative requirements for the sale of household goods to ensure the consumer is safe.
If your business imports or locally manufactures any electrical equipment you have to confirm if your product is regarded as 'in-scope electrical equipment' and at what risk level, then take steps before you can sell it.
If you are not a responsible supplier, but are the second or subsequent supplier in the supply chain, you will need to ensure the equipment was imported or manufactured by a registered responsible supplier and is marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark.
This guide explains your obligations as a supplier or seller of electrical equipment.
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).
Retailer's role in electrical safety
If you are not a 'responsible supplier' for in-scope electrical equipment, but are the second or subsequent supplier in the supply chain, you must:
- source the equipment from a responsible supplier registered on the EESS Registration Database
- search the EESS Registration Database (for Level 2 and Level 3) to ensure the equipment is registered and linked to the registered responsible supplier
- ensure the equipment has a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).
Examples of second or subsequent supplier in the supply chain of in-scope electrical equipment are:
- wholesalers
- retailers
- online sellers
- electrical contractors.
Displaying information at the point of sale
If you sell certain electrical equipment in a retail setting that needs to be installed by a licensed electrician, you must display point-of-sale signs relating to electrical equipment and safety. This requirement also applies to online stores.
You must display 'Don't DIY' warning signs if you sell certain types of products such as:
- fixed-wired electrical equipment
- air conditioners
- stoves
- ovens
- electric hot water systems
- ceiling fans
- light fittings
- electrical accessories
- socket outlets
- light switches
- electrical cable
- wall switches
- plugs
- cord extension sockets
- electrical parts
- electrical motors
- switches
- solenoids
- elements.
Read more about electrical safety.
Sale of second-hand equipment
If you sell second-hand electrical equipment, you must ensure that it is sold with information about how to use it safely.
You should access the manufacturer's website to obtain a copy of instructions, if the original information is not available. If you cannot find copies of the original manufacturer's usage instructions, you must provide electrical safety advice for the equipment. This should include, as a minimum:
- safe operating instructions
- care and maintenance instructions required to maintain electrical safety
- any specific safety instructions relevant to the equipment.
Electrical safety advice
If your business sells second-hand electrical equipment, you must inform buyers in writing if it has not been tested.
Testing of second-hand electrical equipment is not required but you may choose to have tests done by a licensed qualified electrical worker. Test results should be given to the buyer.
If the buyer conducts a business that deals in repairing or reconditioning second-hand electrical equipment, the seller of the second-hand equipment to that business is not required to test the equipment or advise that it has not been tested.
Also consider...
- Find out how suppliers of electrical equipment have a legal obligation under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) to ensure equipment is accompanied with information about its safe use.
- Read the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) electrical equipment DIY warning sign summary.
- Learn more about the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).
Marking of in-scope electrical equipment
For electrical safety, in-scope electrical equipment must only be sold if the item is marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in compliance with AS/NZS 4417.1 & 2 and the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).
You can also use the RCM to meet product labelling requirements of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Learn more about the marking of electrical equipment.
Also consider...
- Find out more about electrical safety in Queensland.
- Read more about the EESS.
Queensland electrical equipment certification
Electrical equipment and appliances sold in Queensland must comply with the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) and the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld).
You can apply for Australian certification of electrical equipment to an Australian certifier under the Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS) or a Regulatory Authority (Regulator).
A certificate is issued by a RECS or Regulator to show that an item of equipment has been independently assessed and meets the relevant standards, and is electrically safe.
There are 2 types of certificates:
- Certificate of Conformity: for in-scope electrical equipment risk Level 3, also known as 'Certificate of Approval'
- Certificate of Sustainability (voluntary): for in-scope electrical equipment risk Level 1 or Level 2.
Note: All certificates must be issued in accordance with the equipment safety rules.
Also consider...
- Find more information on electrical equipment certification in Queensland.
Hire of electrical equipment
If your business hires out electrical equipment you have obligations to ensure the equipment is safe for use.
Purchasing electrical equipment for use as hire equipment
If you are the direct importer or manufacturer of the in-scope electrical equipment, you are a Responsible Supplier and you must comply with all the requirements under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).
If you are purchasing electrical equipment to use as hire equipment, you must be aware that the safety requirements are the same as those in the retail area.
Unsafe electrical equipment can be prohibited for use as hire equipment by notices issued by the Electrical Safety Office.
Ongoing requirements for electrical equipment for hire
Electrical equipment must be inspected and tested by a competent person before each hiring, unless it is fitted with a safety switch that cannot be disconnected, deactivated or removed. This inspection and testing does not require disassembly of the equipment.
Electrical equipment for hire must also be inspected, tested and tagged every 6 months by a competent person as per AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Note: This does not apply to domestic hire goods for use in a domestic situation, such as refrigerators and televisions.
Hire equipment passing inspection and testing must be identified with a durable tag that also shows the next scheduled test date.
Any hire equipment failing inspection and testing must be immediately withdrawn from hire and labelled as unsafe with a durable tag.
Find out more about required tools, tests and tagging for electrical equipment.
Penalties
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) sets penalties for not meeting the requirements for hiring, testing and inspecting electrical equipment for hire.
Also consider...
- Find out more about required tools, tests and tagging for electrical equipment.
Product notices for electrical equipment
The Regulator may prohibit the sale or use of electrical equipment on safety grounds
The sale or use of equipment may be prohibited by way of gazette notice, if the Regulator believes on reasonable grounds, items of electrical equipment do not meet the safety criteria in AS/NZS3820:2009 Essential safety requirements for electrical equipment.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021