There are things that you can do to prevent an incident involving lithium-ion batteries:

• Only purchase and use devices and equipment from reputable manufacturers and suppliers.
• Only use chargers that are supplied with the equipment or device, or certified third-party charging equipment that is compatible with the battery specifications. Using chargers with incorrect power delivery (voltage and current) can cause damage to the battery including overheating that can lead to fires.
• Check that chargers bear the Regulatory Compliance Mark, to show that it has met the relevant Australian Standards under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).
• Avoid leaving batteries or devices unattended while being charged or charging overnight. Once the indicator shows that a device or battery has been fully charged, disconnect it from the charger.
• Don’t charge batteries or devices on combustible and insulating surfaces such as beds, sofas or carpet, and keep them away from highly flammable materials such as blankets, clothing, and paper.
• Never use and charge devices such as phones, tablets and e-cigarettes or vaping devices in bed, where they can overheat if you fall asleep.
• Larger batteries and equipment such as power tools and electric scooters should be charged in the garage, shed or carport away from living spaces.
• FRNSW recommends ensuring that a smoke alarm or a heat alarm (where a smoke alarm cannot be installed) is installed in areas where devices are often charged. We recommend having a licenced electrician install and interconnect mains-powered smoke alarms where possible. Check with the manufacturer or distributor to ensure device models are compatible for interconnection.
• Never store or leave batteries and devices in areas where they can be exposed to heat or moisture. Do not leave devices such as phones, computers or charging devices in direct sunlight or in parked vehicles where they can quickly heat up.
• Don’t use batteries or devices that show signs of swelling or bulging, leaking, overheating, or signs of mechanical damage (cracked, dented, punctured, or crushed).

For more information visit Fire Safe NSW.

Room Heaters – Pins for Direct Insertion 

AS/NZS 60335.2.30 Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.30: Particular requirements for room heaters is progressing though the process for amendment to room heater requirements to preclude connection via means of pins for direct insertion into socket outlets, aimed to prevent an unsafe construction.

For further information please refer to eess.gov.au.

Electrical Fatal Incident Data Australia & New Zealand 2021 – 2022

The above data can be found on the ERAC website Electrical Fatality Data

Recalls Button/Cell batteries

Many products containing button/cell batteries have been recalled over the past few months for the following reasons:

• The button/cell batteries are not secured in the battery compartment and are not child resistant according to the mandatory standards
• The labelling requirements for packaging and product have not been met.

For further information visit ACCC.

Safety Certificates – Australia vs New Zealand

New Zealand recently published regulatory notices on the requirements for supplying high risk and medium risk electrical and electronic equipment in New Zealand.

Some differences compared to Australia are:

• the equipment will need to be marked at 230V, or a range that includes 230V
• the test reports need to have testing performed at 230V
• Certified (or approved) electrical equipment needs to be marked with the authorised marking as the RCM is not recognised in New Zealand for electrical safety.
• All compliance documentation must explicitly identify that all certification and testing comply with the New Zealand safety requirements.

For further information, please refer to our news item on the New Zealand notices.

If you require more information on how CBA can assist you with your regulatory requirements, please contact us on 61 2 9099-1557 or email Gunther at gtheisz@certificationbody.com.au or Colin at cpayne@certificationbody.com.au.

In August 2022, WorkSafe NZ published new regulatory (gazette) notices that apply to high risk and medium risk electrical and electronic equipment supplied in New Zealand. These commenced on 1 January 2023.

Some of the key requirements in the regulatory notices are:

• All single-phase appliances must be marked with either 230V, or with a voltage range that includes 230V. All three-phase appliances must be marked with either 400V, or with a voltage range that includes 400V.
• All certified appliances must have a unique certification marking, issued as part of the certification process. The RCM is not recognised in NZ for electrical safety certification.
• Testing and certification must be carried out to confirm the safety and compliance of the equipment at 230V (or 400V if three-phase equipment).
• Where the applicable testing standard requires testing at the most unfavourable voltage of a range, the determination of most unfavourable voltage must be made independently for each testing clause and documented in the test report.
• A test report may not be used for electrical safety compliance if it is older than 5 years.

More detailed information on the regulatory notices can be found on the WorkSafe New Zealand website at https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/electricity/appliances-and-fittings/new-rules-regarding-the-supply-of-declared-articles-in-new-zealand/.

If you would like to know more on how CBA can assist you with your regulatory requirements, please contact us on 61 2 9099-1557 or email Gunther at gtheisz@certificationbody.com.au or Colin at cpayne@certificationbody.com.au.

In December 2022, the ACMA made changes to the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2015 to give regulatory effect to the Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2022.

The Mobile Equipment Air Interface Standard 2022 updated the industry standards to AS/CA S042.1:2022 (general requirements), AS/CA S042.4:2022 (LTE requirements) and AS/CA S042.5:2022 (5G requirements). The Mobile Equipment Air Interface Standard 2022 provided a 12-month transition period, during which devices can comply with the existing industry standards, or the newly mandated 2022 industry standards.

This transition period will end in December 2023. From then on, only the 2022 industry standards can be used for compliance with the Mobile Air Interface Standard.

Applicable Industry Standards

If you would like to know more on how CBA can assist you with your regulatory requirements, please contact Colin Payne (cpayne@certificationbody.com.au) or use our general enquiries email: contact@certificationbody.com.au.