Online marketplace – buyer's guide

1. Am I buying equipment from an Australian supplier?

When equipment is sold online it is not always easy to know if the equipment is being supplied by an Australian based entity.

Equipment from overseas may not have the correct voltage rating or be designed to Australian Standards which can make it unsafe or dangerous if it is connected to the electricity supply.

Equipment that is marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is suitable for use in Australia.

In-scope electrical equipment

Check – is the product that I want to buy:

• mains operated? For example, a vacuum cleaner that plugs into a wall socket.
• intended for home use?

If you answered yes to both questions, then the equipment is required to be marked with the RCM.

Mains operated household equipment sold in Australia are required to have the RCM on it.

This is usually found on the rating label:

I’m buying in-scope products online, but I can’t see the RCM on any advertisement. Can I still buy it?

Answer: The RCM is there to help ensure that products are electrically safe. Contact the seller directly and ask them to show you a photo of the product marked with the RCM. Reconsider buying the product if you can’t verify its marked with the RCM.

Tip: Check if the seller is based in Australia. On some online platforms, the location displayed in the advertisement may be the location of the product which could be held in an Australian storage facility – but this may not be the location of the seller.
To check the location of the seller, click on their profile and look for their location – do they have an Australian address? If they are based in Australia, then they are subject to Australian laws. International importers and manufacturers are not subject to Australian laws.

Tip: Buying online from an Australian ‘brick-and-mortar’ store is a good way to ensure that you are buying from an Australian based supplier.

2. I’m buying equipment online from an Overseas manufacturer or importer

When mains operated electrical equipment (plugs into a socket in the wall, for example a toaster, hairdryer or vacuum) is sold online, it is not always easy to know if the product will be safe to use if it is connected to the electrical supply in Australia.

Manufacturers and suppliers who are based overseas and supply into the Australian market may not have designed their products in accordance with the Australian Electrical Safety Standards and relevant Australian legislation. As such, electrical equipment supplied by an overseas manufacturer or importer may be or become unsafe if it is used in Australia, with the possibility of electric shock, fire or serious injury occurring.

Tip: Consider purchasing a similar product from a reputable Australian seller. Check their contact details, do they have an Australian address.