Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS) Certifiers
A Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS) certifier – also known as Third Party Certifier – is a recognised body under EESS Law that issues Certificates of Conformity. Some RECS can also issue Certificates of Suitability.
A Certificates of Conformity is a certificate issued by a recognised body (outlined below) that claims the equipment meets the relevant standard. It is an independent expert review of the documentary evidence and so provides a higher level of confidence in the veracity of evidence.
Under the EESS the following bodies can issue certificates for In-scope electrical equipment:
1. EESS Regulatory Authorities (RAs)
Australian and New Zealand government departments or agencies responsible for the administration of electrical equipment safety legislation and regulations, and who provide certification services. Such Regulatory Authorities will agree to appropriate standards of performance by self-declaring compliance. This declaration will be supported by existing government accountability measures such as financial and administrative standards, internal auditing procedures, and the oversight of respective Houses of Parliament.
The RA’s will issue certificates in accordance with the requirements of the Equipment Safety Rules, any other requirements issued by the RA or any information notices or guidance documents issued by EESS regulators.
Regulatory Authorities (RAs) that issue Certificates recognised by EESS law:
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- Electrical Safety Office (Queensland) – only in exceptional circumstances.
- Energy Safe Victoria – for all companies nationally and internationally.
Note: For non EESS regulators temporary informal transitional arrangements have permitted the uploading of certificates by jurisdictions who have not implemented EESS law and/or signed the intergovernmental agreement, including New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. These temporary arrangements will continue (for relevant jurisdictions who issue certificates) until permanent arrangements under the EESS are finalised, noting the EESS intention to achieve nationally consistent electrical equipment safety standards and uniform certification processes.
Therefore, at this stage, it is strongly recommended moving to a model of sourcing certificates through recognised external certification schemes (RECS) or from EESS corresponding law jurisdictions (i.e. Queensland or Victoria). This will ensure that when the scheme is ready to phase out the temporary informal transitional arrangements, any impacts on Certificate Applicants are minimised.
2. Recognised External Certification Scheme (RECS) that are:
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- Accredited by JASANZ;
- Recognised by all Regulatory Authorities participating in the EESS; and
- Endorsed by a EESS Regulatory Authority to issue Certificates of Conformity for level 3 equipment (and some also have accreditation to issue Certificates of Suitability for level 2 and level 1 equipment.)
Recognised External Certification Schemes (RECS)
Note 1: All certificate details issued by a RECS in accordance with the Equipment Safety Rules and any other requirements issued by the RA or any information notices or guidance documents issued by EESS regulators are uploaded to the EESS Platform.
Note 2: Some RECS have accreditation for other schemes, you need to specify you are seeking a certificate issued under the certifier’s RECS accreditation and the EESS.