Standards Australia has amended a standard around the safety of electrical appliances as it aims to make appliances safer for children.

In recent years, the safety of household appliances has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly regarding their impact on children. This heightened focus was driven by distressing incidents that occurred overseas and, closer to home, in neighbouring New Zealand. In 2021, a tragic incident involving a child being trapped in a washing machine, occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, which underscored the urgent need for updated safety standards to prevent similar tragedies.

This incident became a catalyst for revising the standards concerning washing machines. Recognising the severity of the situation and the potential risks, Australian authorities took proactive measures to address these safety concerns. The result was an amendment to the AS/NZS 60335.2.7:2020 Amd 1:2024, Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety, Part 2.7: Particular requirements for washing machines, a standard that governs the design of safety features of washing machines.

The revised standard, which was updated at the end of June 2024, introduces new design requirements to prevent children from accidentally activating washing machines. Under the updated standard, washing machines must now feature a dual-action switch mechanism. This means that starting a washing machine cycle requires two deliberate actions, intended to make it significantly harder for children to turn on the machine unintentionally. The goal is to prevent scenarios where a child could become trapped inside or start the machine while inside, a measure that aims to enhance overall safety. This amendment reflects a broader commitment to child safety, with Australian Standard standards setting a benchmark that other countries may follow.

The implementation of this updated standard applies after a transition period, which typically spans two years from the publication of the amendment. In this instance, the updated standard applies to all manufacturers from mid-2026.

This proactive approach to updating safety standards illustrates Australia’s leadership in prioritising appliance safety and its commitment to protecting consumers, particularly vulnerable children. The move not only benefits families by providing enhanced safety features but also supports tradespeople and manufacturers by setting clear guidelines for compliance and product design.

Similarly, updates to the standards for household ovens reflect a long-term effort to improve safety for household appliances and reduce burn injuries among children. The journey began with making amendments to AS/NZS 60335.2.6 Household and similar electrical appliances — Safety, Part 2.6: Particular requirements for stationary cooking ranges, hobs, ovens and similar appliances. The revised standard sets out the design requirement that oven doors should be engineered to remain cooler while maintaining the necessary heat for cooking. This change was technically challenging, as it required balancing effective heat retention inside the oven with a cooler, safer exterior – it was implemented in Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

This change prompted a widespread review of all household and similar appliance enclosure temperatures covered by the IEC 60335 series of standards to address the critical issues of high exterior temperatures on all other appliances. The review that occurred internationally has taken approximately a decade and caused the modification of over 100 standards across the IEC 60335 range. The work has now been completed and the EL-002 committee has been actively adopting these changes as they are published.

“The evolution of these standards underscores the ongoing efforts to adapt to new safety challenges and technological advancements,” Standards Australia chief operating officer Kareen Riley-Takos says.

“For tradespeople, these changes mean staying up-to-date with the latest regulations and ensuring that installations meet the new safety criteria. For consumers, particularly families with young children, these updates offer peace of mind and a greater assurance of safety in their homes.”

By continuing to refine and enhance safety standards, Australia strives to protect its citizens and set a global example in appliance safety. The recent updates to washing machine standards and surface temperature requirements in over 100 standards highlight a commitment to addressing real-world risks and ensuring that household appliances are as safe as possible for everyone, especially children, the most vulnerable members of our communities.