In-Scope Electrical Equipment

The EESS aims to increase consumer safety through regulating household electrical equipment. The term “in-scope” is defined in law and means electrical equipment that is:

• rated at a voltage greater than 50 V AC RMS or 120V ripple-free DC; and
• rated at a voltage less than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC; and
• is designed or marketed as suitable for household, personal or similar use.

It is immaterial whether the equipment is designed or marketed for commercial or industrial purposes as well as for household use. If Regulatory Authorities (RAs) claim that an item is in-scope , it will be taken that way unless the Responsible Supplier can prove otherwise.

Risk Levels – Definition

A feature of the EESS is the provision of a more proactive risk based approach to regulating electrical equipment. The EESS provides for in-scope electrical equipment to be classified into three levels:

Risk Level 1 – 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.

Risk Level 2 – electrical equipment that is classified as medium risk and is defined in the AS/NZS 4417.2.A list of the current Level 2 equipment can be found here.

Risk Level 3 –electrical equipment that is classified as high risk and is defined in the AS/NZS 4417.2. A list of the current Level 3 equipment can be found here.

For more information on the safety requirements for In-Scope equipment click here

For more information on registration of In-Scope equipment click here

There are proportionate requirements for each risk level, depending upon the potential risk currently identified for the item. The EESS creates a process for Regulatory Authorities to add new equipment types to the list of in-scope equipment more quickly, move equipment types up and down risk levels as necessary, and applies a sliding scale of regulatory requirements depending on Risk Level classification.