The standard organization in Australia is the Standards Association of Australia, so many friends refer to Australian certification as SAA certification. Electrical products entering the Australian market must comply with SAA certification. There are two main types of SAA logos, one is formal recognition and the other is standard logo. Formal certification is only responsible for samples, while standard marks require factory inspection by each individual. The scope of SAA certification mainly includes quality management system; Environmental management system; Occupational health and safety management; Information security management; The application cycle for Australian SAA certification for common products is 3-4 weeks, and if the product quality does not meet the standards, the date may be extended. If the transported products are not certified, they will be detained or confiscated or fined.

SAA Certification - Overview

The standard organization in Australia is the Standards Association of Australia, so many friends refer to Australian certification as SAA certification. In fact, SAA is only a standard setting organization and does not issue product certification certificates. SAA was later renamed as Standards Australia Limited. SAA is an independent company that has no direct relationship with the government, but the federal and state governments are members of it. SAA and the Australian Federal Government have signed a memorandum recognizing SAA as the highest non-governmental standards organization in Australia. The memorandum also points out that standard setting should be consistent with WTO requirements. Therefore, there is an agreement stating that when suitable international standards already exist, there is no need to develop new Australian standards. Australian standards start with "AS", while the joint standards between Australia and New Zealand start with "AS/NZS". The standards of Australia and New Zealand are basically consistent with IEC, but there are some national differences. Australia and New Zealand promote standardization and mutual recognition of certification, and products can be sold in another country as long as they obtain certification from one country.

Regarding SAA certification

SAA is a certification that electrical products entering the Australian market must comply with local safety regulations, which is commonly encountered in the industry. Due to the mutual recognition agreement between Australia and New Zealand, all products certified in Australia can smoothly enter the New Zealand market for sale. All electrical products must undergo Safety Certification (SAA). There are two main types of SAA logos, one is formal recognition and the other is standard logo. Formal certification is only responsible for samples, while standard marks require factory inspection by each individual. At present, there are two ways to apply for SAA certification in China. One is to transfer through a CB test report. If there is no CB test report, one can also apply directly.

SAA certification market

Australia and New Zealand are two sparsely populated countries with a current population of only 23 million, but their consumption power is very strong.

The widely recognized SAA (Standards Association of Australia) is actually a standards research institute responsible for the development and revision of standards. Electronic and electrical products entering Australia (including Australia and New Zealand) must pass this certification and have the certification number printed on the product in order to legally enter Australia for sale.

SAA Certification - Certification/Supervisory Body

Australia is a federal country, and the certification, control, and management of electrical safety and energy consumption requirements are carried out by the regulatory authorities of each state or territory in accordance with their own certification procedures. Certificates issued by any state are equally valid in other states/regions without any additional procedures. In addition, QAS (Quality Assurance Services Pty Ltd.), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAA standard setting bodies, is an NCB (National Certification Body) in Australia, and its certificates have been recognized by various states or regions with equal validity.

Surveillance departments in various states or regions of Australia:

  1. Queensland Electrical Safety Office (DOIR) (Department of Industrial Relations)

  2. Western Australia Technical and Safety Division (Office of Energy)

3. New South Wales Safety and Standards Branch (OFT) (Office of Fair Trading) - formerly known as DOFT

4. Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) - formerly known as OCEI

  5. Office of the Tasmanian Energy Regulator

  6. South Australia Energy Division

  (Department of Mines and Energy)

  7. Australian Capital Territory Regulation

  (Department of Urban Services)

  8. Northern Territory Power and Water Authority

  9. SAI Global

In addition to the monitoring departments in the aforementioned states, other private organizations such as SGS TCA can also obtain government recognition.

SAA Certification - Product Safety Certification

Australia does not have a unified safety certification mark, and each state or region has enacted legislation to regulate the management methods of electrical products. Although the names and dates of promulgation may vary, the content of electrical safety legislation in different states or regions is generally consistent. Electrical products are divided into regulated products and non regulated products. Controlled electrical products are classified according to AS/NZS4417.2, including electric heating equipment, refrigeration equipment, power tools, components, etc. The directory shall be published in the government bulletin and added according to the actual situation. Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria are the most active in the certification process. Taking Queensland as an example, the Electricity Act 1994 announced detailed regulations for the certification, sale, and use of electrical appliances.

1. Controlled electrical appliances: Controlled electrical appliances are required to obtain a certificate of approval issued by the monitoring department and must be labeled (with a certificate number). It should be noted that the authentication process is only focused on security rather than performance or quality