Product Safety Compliance

ITACS has considerable experience in testing products for electrical safety, with staff participating on the Standard Committees both at National and International level. ITACS is recognised by the Australian Federal Government and the European Commission as a Conformity Assessment Body for the Low Voltage Directive.

ITACS test reports are recognised by all Australian State based Electrical Regulators and the New Zealand Regulator.

Australian Regulatory Requirements

Safety Approvals & EMC (C-Tick)

Legislation

Safety Approvals

Electrical safety is regulated by the State governments. Demonstrating compliance with the relevant Australian standard is the most readily identifiable method of demonstrating electrical safety. If compliance is established then a Certificate may be issued by the State based Government Regulator. Note the prefix to a Certificate indicated the state Regulator issuing the Certificate – S for SA, V for Victoria etc. alternatively you may use the RCM to indicate compliance with all the relevant regulations.

ITACS can test to AS/NZS or review an existing report to determine compliance.

EMC C-Tick

EMC - is regulated by the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA). Suppliers must make a declaration of compliance and mark the products with the C-Tick:

Tick

The Supplier must also mark the product with an "N number" allocated by the ACMA (refer attached application form) which is to be completed and submitted to the ACMA. ITACS can prepare the C-tick declaration, either based on ITACS testing or with an existing test report.

Standards

  • Safety - AS/NZS published by joint cooperation between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand based on IEC/EN
  • EMC - AS/NZS 1044 based on CISPIR14 (EN55014)

Testing

Approval is granted based on compliance to AS/NZS Compliance is determined by a recognised test report from one of the following:

  • National Testing Authority of Australia NATA
  • NATA Mutual Recognition Partners
  • IECEE CB
  • GS

Note both the test report and Certificate are required. Test reports will address either:

  • Full testing, or
  • Top up testing to address the Australian deviations such as
    • Marking & instructions
    • Voltage - 240 V ac.
    • Flammability

Applications to ITACS

  • Generally 2 samples are required for top up tests where an acceptable overseas reports to IEC/EN and CISPIR 14/EN55014 are available or
  • Generally 4 samples are required for full testing - no overseas reports available.
  • Artwork of the proposed rating label to include Approval number and C-Tick ( or the RCM)
  • Instructions (Use & Care) with a warning re young children must not play with the appliance and young children and infirmed persons must be supervised.
  • List of Materials inc. Circuit Diagrams etc.
  • Component certification (switches, plug, cord, thermostat, thermal cut-outs etc.)
  • Overseas test report and Certificate for both Safety and EMC
  • Traceability statement to identify the product tested in the overseas report is the same as the one submitted for Australian approval
  • Plugs and cords must be Australian approved. Note as of April 2005 all plugs must have insulated live plug pins - at retail level.