News & Views

Members need to be aware of the potentially fatal risk of using non-compliant USB style chargers, following the recent death of a woman in New South Wales where an unapproved USB charger was potentially implicated. NSW Fair Trading believe the woman received a high voltage shock whilst wearing headphones, talking on the phone and operating a laptop, plugged into a wall socket. The suspect USB cable was allegedly purchased for $4.95 from a shop in Sydney which was raided and shut down last week by NSW Fair Trading where hundreds of non-compliant USB chargers, travel adaptors and power boards were seized.

NECA has been campaigning to stamp out the sale and distribution of non-compliant parts and products for some years now. Last year, NECA, in partnership with the world’s leading electrical industry information portal, Voltimum, joined forces to launch the Does it Comply? campaign.

The Does it Comply? campaign aims to raise awareness amongst the industry of the dangers of using electrical products that do not comply with Australian Standards.

NECA urges Australian householders to check their plugs on their appliances, as well as safety switches, for damage on a regular basis.

For further information, see the Media Release here or contact the NECA SA office on (08) 8272 2966.