4 June 2010
Australian and New Zealand joint electrical Standards developed by EL-002, the 'Joint Australian/New Zealand committee on the safety of household and similar electrical appliances, tools, small power transformers, and power supplies', are used by manufacturers, regulators, and testing houses to ensure that appliances and power tools that come into New Zealand are constructed and tested properly, safe to use, and approved for sale.
A large number of these Australian/New Zealand (AS/NZS) Standards for electrical appliances and tools listed in Schedule 4 of the Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010.
Ensuring safety and local input into international Standards – EL-002 committee
EL-002 is a 'mirror' committee of two IEC technical committees (TC); the IEC TC 61 'Household and other similar appliances' committee that develops IEC Standards for appliances, and the IEC TC 116 'Safety of hand-held motor-operated electric tools' committee that develops IEC Standards for power tools. Being a 'mirror committee' means that EL-002 can provide local input into the development of these IEC Standards and ensure that New Zealand and Australia align with these IEC Standards.
The EL-002 committee aims to reduce a number of safety risks such as electrical shock and burns to users of household appliances. The committee considers many safety factors when preparing Standards for appliances and tools. These safety factors include personal protection against electric shock, effects of excessive temperature radiation, explosion, moisture resistance, clearances, mechanical stability, hazardous moving parts, and protection against fire.
Since 2000, the Secretariat for EL-002 has resided in New Zealand. Chaired by New Zealander Derek Johns, EL-002 won the 2009 Standards New Zealand 'Outstanding Committee of the Year Award' – its five New Zealand members and 25 Australian members represent a wide range of industry and government stakeholders.
Publishing IEC Standards as AS/NZS Standards
EL-002 reviews IEC Standards and sets priorities to adopt these Standards as Australian/New Zealand Standards. In those cases where an appropriate IEC Standard is not available and a specific issue needs to be addressed, EL-002 develops the required Standard then recommends it to the relevant IEC committee for development as an international Standard.
'Adopted' IEC Standards are published as joint Australian/New Zealand Standards with or without variations as follows:
- Identical (IDT) – the AS/NZS Standard is identical to the IEC Standard and is adopted and published as an AS/NZS Standard without any variations.
- Modified (MOD) – the AS/NZS Standard is adopted with modifications to meet the local conditions and is published as an AS/NZS Standard with variations.
Latest Standards and amendments
These Standards are continually updated by EL-002. The latest revisions and amendments to the AS/NZS Standards published by EL-002 this month are listed below.
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.31:2004 Amendment No. 4 to Household and similar electrical appliances –Safety – Part 2.31: Particular requirements for range hoods and other cooking fume extractors
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.4:2010 Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.4: Particular requirements for spin extractors
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.54:2010 Particular requirements for surface cleaning appliances for household use employing liquids or steam
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.59:2005 Amendment No. 3 to Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.59: Particular requirements for insect killers
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.73:2005 Amendment No. 2 to Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.73: Particular requirements for fixed immersion heaters
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.74:2005 Amendment No. 2 to Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2.74: Particular requirements for portable immersion heaters
-
AS/NZS 60335.2.11:2009 Amendment No. 1 to Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Particular requirements for tumble dryers
-
AS/NZS 60745.2.13:2010 Hand-held motor-operated electric tools – Safety – Part 2.13: Particular requirements for chain saws
-
AS/NZS 60745.2.15:2010 Hand-held motor-operated electric tools – Safety – Part 2.15: Particular requirements for hedge trimmers
-
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010 Safety of power transformers, power supplies, reactors and similar products for supply voltages up to 1 100 V – Part 2.16: Particular requirements for switch mode power supply units and transformers for switch mode power supply units
Order these Standards from www.standards.co.nz (enter the Standard number as the keyword into the search panel), email enquiries@standards.co.nz, or call 0800 782 632 during business hours.
For more information please email enquiries@standards.co.nz or telephone 0800 782 632.
Related Touchstone articles
Stay in touch
Subscribe to Standards New Zealand's monthly e-magazine Touchstone for the very latest news on Standards.
The question is not what you gain from standardisation, it's what you lose without it.
=====
Media enquiries
Barbara Crocker
Standards New Zealand
(04) 495 0918
barbara.crocker@standards.co.nz
About Standards New Zealand
Standards New Zealand is the operating arm of the Standards Council, and part of New Zealand's standards and conformance infrastructure. Standards New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity responsible for managing the development and distribution of Standards across a range of sectors nationally.
Standards New Zealand is a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation, relying on revenue primarily from contracts with sponsors to develop Standards, and from sales of Standards publications. Our independence helps us facilitate a cross section of stakeholders' contributions to the development of Standards, and ensure that each Standard meets the needs of end users.
www.standards.co.nz