Level 1 EV Charging Outlets in Multi-Tenancy & Public Installations

However, it is possible many products are being sold without proper certification, and installations are occurring that do not comply with AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules).

This fact sheet outlines:

• Product certification & registration requirements (EESS / State Declared Goods)
• Installation requirements (AS/NZS 3000:2018 incl. Appendix P)
• Key safety obligations for suppliers and installers

All EV Charging Smart Plugs Are High Risk (Level 3 / Declared Articles)

Under the Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme (EESS) and State Regulators:

• Any 240V outlet intended for EV charging is a Level 3 High Risk “Declared” product.
• Level 3 products must be tested by a NATA accredited laboratory.
• Testing must be performed on the finished product, not just on individual approved components.
• A product cannot be sold until it has a valid Certificate of Conformity or EESS registration number (Australia wide).
• Only after full compliance can the RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) be applied.

Mandatory Standards Testing (Typical for L1 EV Smart Plugs)

A compliant Smart Plug must be tested as a complete unit against applicable standards, including:

• NMI 14-4-0 – All EVSE (Smart Plugs being used for EV charging meet this definition), made on or after 1 April 2026 must comply with the general certificate of approval for electric vehicle supply equipment.
• AS/NZS 60669.1:2020 – Switches for household installations
• AS 60669.2.1:2020 – Electronic control devices
• AS/NZS 62368.1:2022 – ICT & AV equipment safety
• AS/NZS 4268:2012 – Radio equipment (Wi Fi/Bluetooth/NFC)
• EN 50561-1 – EMC for Powerline Communication (if applicable)

Responsible Supplier Requirements

A supplier must be registered as a Responsible Supplier on EESS before selling in Australia. They must:

• Hold all NATA test reports
• Declare the product compliant
• Maintain a compliance folder for audit
• Ensure the product is searchable on EESS or State databases

Penalties apply (including fines and imprisonment) for selling untested or unregistered electrical equipment.

Key Compliance Points for Suppliers

• Assembled Smart Plugs must be tested as a whole – component approvals alone are not sufficient.
• The product must be registered under EESS or State Declared Articles.
• The RCM mark may only be used after successful certification and registration.
• Products incorporating radio modules must be tested and must meet ACMA emissions rules.

Installation Requirements (AS/NZS 3000:2018)

Maximum Demand

• Calculations must follow AS/NZS3000 Clause 1.6.3 & Clause 2.2.2.
• For EV charging, per Appendix P, the outlet should be assumed to operate at full rated current.
• A Load Management System (LMS), while not required, should be considered, where multiple Smart Plugs are installed to avoid overloading of the supply circuit.

Dedicated Circuits for EV Charging under Appendix P of AS/NZS 3000

Unless controlled by an LMS

• Each EV charging outlet should be supplied from its own dedicated circuit.
• No daisy chaining of GPOs or Smart Plugs used for EV charging.
• One circuit + one RCBO = one EV charging outlet.

Example:

A 15A EV Smart Plug requires:

• A dedicated subcircuit
• RCBO rated > full load (commonly 20A)
• Cable sized for continuous load & voltage drop

Socket Outlet Requirements for EV Charging per Appendix P

• Standard AS/NZS 3112 outlets ≤20A
• AS/NZS 3123 or IEC 60309 outlets
• One socket should supply only one EV

Isolators

• AS/NZS 3000 does not mandate an isolator next to an EV Smart Plug. However, best practice would see Charge Point Operators (CPO’s) actively monitoring all devices and/or integration with Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) to disable the devices in the event of an alarm event.

NECA recommends a local isolator or RCBO adjacent to the socket outlet where the site is public or switchboard access is restricted (e.g., multi-tenancy or council car parks).

General Purpose (Non-EV) Smart Plugs

• May be daisy‑chained if maximum demand requirements (Appendix C) are met and/or an LMS is in place.
• If EV charging occurs on these circuits, it is likely that circuit protection devices will operate and cause further inconveniences for the electrical installation.

Common Misconceptions

“Our components are approved, so the product is compliant.”

Incorrect. The finished Smart Plug must undergo full NATA testing.

“We can use the RCM once we assemble the device.”

Incorrect. RCM can only be applied after EESS registration.

“Smart Plugs for EV charging can go on existing daisy chain circuits.”

Incorrect. EV charging outlets require proper consideration and installation to avoid unintended consequences.

“If a product has RCA, SAA or CE certification, then RCM is not required.”

Incorrect. RCA is now obsolete and no longer recognised as a valid compliance pathway. SAA certification alone only covers safety testing, it does not address ACMA requirements such as EMC, radio communications or telecommunications compliance. CE marking is a European compliance mark and has no standing in Australia.

Summary

Suppliers must

• Complete NMI 14-4-Certification
• Complete NATA laboratory testing on the final product
• Register as a Responsible Supplier
• Register each Level 3 product under EESS
• Apply RCM only after full compliance

Installers should

• Follow AS/NZS3000:2018 including Appendix P
• Consider Load Management System (LMS) with the ability to manage and schedule charging of electric vehicles in response to total building and circuit demand.
• Install each EV Smart Plug on a dedicated circuit with RCBO protection, unless an LMS is in place.
• Avoid daisy chains for any EV charging outlet, unless an LMS is in place.
• Size wiring & protection according to maximum demand rules.

NECA members have phone and email support on all technical matters including Australian Standards and State Electricity Rules. For advice or clarification specific to your matter, please connect with our in-house technical specialists.