Advice for getting an SDoC

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Advice for getting an SDoC

NightintoDay

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#289592 14-Sep-2021 21:31

Hi Everyone,

I have a friend who's selling torches in NZ without an SDoC as he's had no clue about it all until just recently. We've read heaps of stuff on Work Safe and other places, but can't find any specific list that shows what standards meet NZ/AU standards. I asked Auckland Lab and they said he needs to send each product with the documentation for $260 + gst each. He just wanted info on all of this first, but seems they weren't interested to guide him on what to do. It would be great to know what standards are okay without wasting a heap of money if they don't qualify.

Currently he's in a bit of a state not knowing what to do with all his stock. As you can imagine this isn't an ideal situation and has no idea who to contact without getting into massive trouble.

Selling on Trade Me there should be more info that's sent to new "in trade" accounts about what's required.

I'm sure there's many, many sellers that have no clue about SDoC's, I've never even heard of it myself. I searched this forum and there's other threads, but no real help on the specific standards. It's all a bit overwhelming

Thanks for any help

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Jase2985

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#2778503 14-Sep-2021 22:07

its a torch? why does it need a SDoC, does it connect to a houses wiring?

https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/electricity/appliances-and-fittings/high-and-medium-risk-products/medium-risk-product-list/supplier-declaration-of-conformity/

NightintoDay

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2778511 14-Sep-2021 22:36

Jase2985:

its a torch? why does it need a SDoC, does it connect to a houses wiring?

No, but the Auckland Lab said torch/flashlights, USB chargers, and batteries fall under the medium risk category.

What he could do is send a product to the Lab of each brand and he'd get a pretty good idea what brands meet the requirements.

Slightly annoying having 15K stock and only just finding this out though. He's certainly the honest, do everything correctly type, but was just never told.

Wellingtondave

113 posts

Master Geek

#2778514 14-Sep-2021 22:57

I bet it will be the potentially dodgy wall charger, source them locally or omit.

Zorg2000

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#2779048 15-Sep-2021 22:36

It appears torches might fit under one of the descriptions of luminaries under Light Fittings Section 11 Schedule 4 Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. I'm not sure what batteries come under but I know wall chargers do require an SDoC. The safety standards are AS/NZS safety standards which you can access through the Standards New Zealand website but they cost a bit to access specific standards and don't always make great reading unless you know what you are looking at. Paying a testing lab to do the work for you is usually the best option but it can get expensive. The main thing is that you need a test report showing how the torches comply with AS/NZS 3820 or the applicable Standard(s) listed in Schedule 4 and this goes on the SDoC. There will be tons of sellers on trade me who have no idea they are committing an offence.

Handle9

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#2779068 16-Sep-2021 01:55

Zorg2000:

It appears torches might fit under one of the descriptions of luminaries under Light Fittings Section 11 Schedule 4 Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. I'm not sure what batteries come under but I know wall chargers do require an SDoC. The safety standards are AS/NZS safety standards which you can access through the Standards New Zealand website but they cost a bit to access specific standards and don't always make great reading unless you know what you are looking at. Paying a testing lab to do the work for you is usually the best option but it can get expensive. The main thing is that you need a test report showing how the torches comply with AS/NZS 3820 or the applicable Standard(s) listed in Schedule 4 and this goes on the SDoC. There will be tons of sellers on trade me who have no idea they are committing an offence.

I doubt the torch requires an SDoC if it's SELV and not connected to house wiring. If theres a charger of any kind it will absolutely require an SDoC.

OP needs to get/buy a copy of the regs and go through it line by line. They aren't incredibly complex but also you need to make sure you are clear on what is applicable to you.

Then ask the supplier for the the applicable test reports. The other issue if there is a mains connected charger will be C-tick.

Bung

4549 posts

Uber Geek

#2779114 16-Sep-2021 08:22

TradeMe does have info available.

https://trademe.co.nz/c/trust-safety/news/sdoc-electrical-goods-requirements

If you're in the business of selling electrical items in Australia or New Zealand there are several companies that will assist in the process of compliance. Of course they will charge for this. It will be cheaper than having to recall the product.

You haven't given much information about the product which is understandable on an open forum. If it's anything that plugs into a mains socket, one thing you can easily check immediately is whether the phase and neutral pins on the plug are partially insulated or not. If not you have a problem as that is required.

CokemonZ

807 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2779140 16-Sep-2021 09:36

I've done this in the past.

In one case we were able to get the factory in China to provide a test report, and we wrote the SDoC.

In the second case we got a lab in Australia to perform and write up the relevant report.

As long as what you are doing is fairly simple it's not a difficult exercise.

If they have a working relationship with the factory, and the factory regularly exports to AU/NZ I'd expect them to be able to provide the report. If they are small, or this is a bespoke product, or a China/US/EU product with an added NZ charger then maybe not.

ResponseMediaNZ

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#2779246 16-Sep-2021 10:55

Talk to https://www.emctech.co.nz/ you will also need to register https://www.eess.gov.au/

The other place you need to look is https://www.rsm.govt.nz/business-individuals/ as they are the ones that set the standards for NZ.

If you are importing anything is best to do some homework first. It's even worse in the Radio industry.