Compliance Insights, April 2020
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New Standard/ Amendment Publications
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AS 3498:2020
Safety and public health requirements for plumbing products – Water heaters and hot-water storage tanks
New Edition; Published on 20 March 2020
FYI
AS 60669.2.1:2020
Switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations – Particular requirements – Electronic switches
New Edition; Published on 27 March 2020
Supersedes AS/NZS 60669.2.1:2013
– Replace standard reference from IEC to AS/NZS
– Clarification provided for Motor rating marking (cl 8.1)
– Clarification provided for assessment access to live part (cl 10.101)
– New temperature limit added for non-metallic parts which may come into contact with cable insulation when installed (Table 102) during normal operation
– New requirement added for varistors
Date of application: 27 March 2022
NOTE: Publication dates for some recently issued amendments may differ between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand;
| Amendment | NZ date | AU date |
| AMD3 to AS/NZS 3100:2017 | 2019-11-29 | 2020-03-13 |
| AMD3 to AS/NZS 60335.2.30:2015 | 2019-11-29 | 2020-03-30 |
| AMD1 to AS/NZS 61558.1:2018 | 2019-11-29 | 2020-03-13 |
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Regulatory Changes
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ERAC Information Bulletin #0024 “REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION – AS/NZS 3112 APPENDIX J is published and superseded the earlier version #007.
Main key points are as follow.
– latest version of AS/NZS 3112 must be used (this resolves an issue with AS/NZS 60335.1 referring to an older version of AS/NZS 3112).
– any post-dated requirements should also be addressed now. If they are not then the certificate MUST clearly state which post-dated clauses have not been addressed.
– if a certificate is issued for the “plug portion” then the certificate must also state the specific brand / model of the end-product that the “plug portion” is to be used with.
– clause J.4.8.2 of AS/NZS 3112 is applied to all contacts and type.
Details can be found on the following link.
NOTE: there are two separate sets of “regulatory” notices located on the erac.gov.au and eess.gov.au websites. References numbers after notice #21 are duplicated so the organisation should also be identified to avoid any confusion (e.g. ERAC notice #23 versus EESS notice #23).
ESV Victoria – RCBO prohibition – Proposal for 10 year extension – Public submissions close 2020-May-06
Background – ESV introduced additional testing and listing requirements for RCBOs offered for sale in Victoria several years ago.
This was legally enacted via a series of “prohibition notices” that were applicable in the State of Victoria. As the existing “prohibition notices” have a limited life-span (typically 12 months) the proposal is to extend the framework for 10 years.
Current requirements can be found at https://esv.vic.gov.au/technical-information/electrical-appliances-and-equipment/rcbo-prohibition/
NOTE: UL New Zealand will continue to operate during NZ COVID-19 level 3 status .
On-site Lab testing and receipt of incoming samples recommenced 2020-04-28 however some staff will continue working remotely from home to ensure physical distancing on-site.
Certification activities are “all-digital” and will continue to be processed remotely.