WA’s energy safety regulator is urging consumers, sellers and importers to check that household electrical equipment is approved for sale in Australia after two retail chains each received $5,000 fines for selling illegal and potentially hazardous lamps.
Building and Energy issued the infringement notices after a site inspection revealed some Turkish-style lamps in the stores lacked the required electrical safety certification labels.
WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, advised people to check for an approval number or a regulatory compliance mark (a tick in a triangle) on all household appliances and their plugs. Certification can also be confirmed by searching for the model number at the Electrical Equipment Safety System website (eess.gov.au).
“The approval process is more than just a legal requirement – it saves lives,” he said.
“Electrical appliances that are certified for sale or hire have been independently assessed as having a safe design that complies with Australian electrical standards.”
Some of the non-compliant lamps identified by Building and Energy had dangerous defects including damaged wiring inside the curved metal tube and no earth pin, which is compulsory for electrical items cased in metal.
“Faults like these could cause electric shocks or fires,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.
“It is vital that everyone plays their part to ensure that unregulated household electrical equipment is not sold or used in Australia, including anyone importing items or offering them for sale or hire.
“Consumers should also verify that an appliance is certified before they buy it, particularly if it is coming from overseas.”
More information is available in Building and Energy’s guide to importing, selling or hiring electrical appliances and equipment (available at dmirs.wa.gov.au).
<ENDS>
Note: The retail chains are not named in line with Department policies on infringement notices.
Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
