A woman has been found electrocuted while connected to her lap top and headphones and phone/music player connected to a USB style wall charger. The woman’s death is under investigation by NSW police.

As a lab, electrical products are often submitted to us for testing with non-approved power supplies, which we refuse to use. We’ve even had evidence of importers providing a free travel adaptor with their electrical products which come with a US or European plug.

As an importer or distributor of electrical products, you are legally responsible to ensure product placed on the market is safe and meets all the required Australian standards. It is not legally defendable to blame the overseas manufacturer or assume they have obtained the correct approvals based on approval markings on the label.

Testing of a wall mount USB power supply involves compliance to numerous electrical standards, including AS/NZS 3112 for the insulated pins, AS/NZS 60950.1:2011 or AS/NZS60335.2.29 for the power supply, AS/NZS 4665 for energy efficiency and ACMA requirements related to electromagnetic compatibility. Full testing costs are in the range of $5,000~$6,000, excluding the electrical safety approval cert and energy efficiency data base lodgements. Based on the substantial testing and approval costs, any importer or even consumer, should be extremely sceptical of a power supply that can be purchased for only a couple of dollars.

Our view is the same problems are developing with unapproved LED Drivers/power supplies being used in lighting products and installed out of sight in ceilings, with fires a potential consequence.

If as an importer or distributor you have concerns regarding electrical products you are selling, we provide a low cost assessment service where we examine existing electrical safety reports and determine if any certificate is valid. Contact us here.

Anyone with information about unapproved and non-compliant electrical or gas products should contact Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/warning-over-usb-chargers-after-woman-dies-from-apparent-electrocution-20140626-zsngd.html#ixzz35muUfRNa