Steps for Compliance with EESS
The process for compliance with the EESS can be followed in two steps, outlined in the drop-down boxes below.
Is your product electrical equipment In-scope and if so, what risk level is it?
In-Scope Electrical Equipment
The EESS aims to increase consumer safety through regulating household electrical equipment. In-scope electrical equipment is defined in law and refers to 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. If the Regulatory Authority claims that an item is In-scope , it will be taken that way unless the Responsible Supplier can prove otherwise.
Are you a Responsible Supplier?
Manufacturers and Importers – Responsible Suppliers
A Responsible Supplier is a person or legal entity who manufactures In-scope electrical equipment in, or imports In-scope electrical equipment into, Australia or New Zealand (first supplier).
By law, to register on the EESS Registration Database, the Responsible Supplier must be an Australian or New Zealand legal entity and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) or a New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number.
To register as a Responsible Supplier and sell In-scope electrical equipment in EESS participating jurisdictions, Responsible Suppliers must:
- register in the EESS Registration Database;
- make a Responsible Supplier Declaration that In-scope equipment is electrically safe, meets all relevant standards; and,
- mark the equipment with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance to the AS/NZS 4417.1 and AS/NZS 4417.2 (Marking of electrical products to indicates compliance with regulations is part of the general rules for use of the Mark.)
Does your product comply with the Safety Requirements based on the risk level?
- Level 1 – Evidence of compliance with the relevant standard + (Certificate of Suitability – Optional)
- Level 2 – Evidence of compliance with the relevant standard + Compliance Folder + (Certificate of Suitability – Optional)
- Level 3 – Evidence of compliance with the relevant standard + Certificate of Conformity – Mandatory
Registration of Responsible Supplier and In-scope equipment.
To sell any In-scope electrical equipment, Responsible Suppliers must be registered on the EESS Registration Database. Level 2 and 3 In-scope electrical equipment must be registered. Follow the links below to find out more about the process of registering with the EESS.
Marking your product with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).
Mark your product with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance with the requirements listed in AS/NZS 4417.1 & AS/NZS 4417.2. For electrical safety, the use of the RCM on In-scope equipment is only permitted if the equipment is in compliance with the EESS.
If you are not a Responsible Supplier but the second or subsequent supplier in the supply chain.
By law in the participating jurisdictions of the EESS, second or subsequent suppliers in the supply chain of In-Scope electrical equipment must:
- source the equipment from a Responsible Suppliers who is registered on the EESS Registration Database;
- ensure that equipment is registered on the EESS Registration Database (for Level 2 and Level 3) against the registered Responsible Supplier; and
- ensure the equipment is marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in accordance with requirements listed in AS/NZS 4417.1 & AS/NZS 4417.2.
Examples of second or subsequent supplier in the supply chain of In-Scope electrical equipment are:
- Wholesaler
- Retailer
- On-line sellers
- Electrical contractors