What is an SDoC?

SDoC, also known as supplier declaration of conformity, is required for declared medium & high-risk electrical products. Think of an SDoC as a safety certificate for your electrical product. It’s like a passport that proves your product has been checked and approved to meet New Zealand’s safety standards.

Why is it Important?

Safety First: SDoC ensures that the product you’re buying is safe to use. It’s been tested to make sure it won’t cause any electrical shocks or fires.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that your product has an SDoC gives you peace of mind. You can be confident that you’re making a safe purchase.

Legal Compliance: Businesses in New Zealand are required to sell products with SDoCs. This helps keep everyone safe.

Before being sold in New Zealand, certain light fittings must comply with a Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). Below are the categories and definitions for light fittings subject to this requirement:

Declared Articles and Definitions

Decorative Lighting Outfit

• A portable electrical appliance designed for decorative, display, or illumination purposes, featuring:
• Lamps or lampholders connected by flexible cords (less than 2.5mm² cross-sectional area) or enclosed within flexible material.
• May include a frame or similar support.
• Includes integral power supply or control devices

Fluorescent Lamp Ballast

• An electrical device used to control current in fluorescent lamps. Types include:
• Independent or built-in for use with fixed or portable luminaires.
• Integral, rated up to 60W, as a non-replaceable part of a lamp/ballast combination.
• Adapter types enabling user-inserted fluorescent lamps.
  Excludes: Ballasts used in luminaires certified for increased safety in hazardous environments.

Inspection Handlamp

• A hand-held lamp for inspection purposes with:
• An incandescent or discharge lamp. Excludes: Lamps with magnification features.

Light Fitting (Effective 1 Feb 2007)

• A fitting rated up to 500W for domestic or similar applications, compatible with tungsten filament, LED, tubular fluorescent, or discharge lamps. May include automatic controls (e.g., motion detectors).

Luminaire: Portable Type

• A household appliance for illumination or decoration, with features such as:
• Supply via flexible cord, appliance inlet, or integral power unit with pins for sockets.
• Designed for tables, floors, or attachment to vertical or horizontal surfaces.
• Compatible with tungsten filament, tubular fluorescent, or discharge lamps.
  Special Considerations: May represent models, animals, or figures and often constructed to appeal to children. If metal, they must be earthed or double insulated.

Wall Switch

• Is an air-break switch.
• Connects to the wiring of an electrical installation.
• Is primarily designed for mounting on vertical surfaces.
• Has a maximum rating of 20A.

Plug

• Creates a detachable connection between a socket-outlet and the conductors of a flexible cord.
• Features two, three, or four pins designed for insertion into a socket-outlet.
• Has a maximum rating of 20A.
  Exclusions:
• Industrial plugs covered under AS/NZS 3123.
• Plugs within the scope of AS/NZS 3131.

Outlet Device

• Is designed for household use.
• Extends supply from a socket-outlet as its primary function.
• Is portable.
• Provides slots for the insertion of one or more plugs.
• Has a maximum rating of 20A.
  Exclusions: Cord extension sets.

Cord Extension Socket

• Attaches to a flexible cord.
• Has a maximum rating of 20A at low voltage.
• Includes contacts that allow a detachable connection with the pins of a plug or an inlet.
  Exclusions:
• Connectors or appliance connectors under AS/NZS 3123.
• Socket-outlets defined in AS/NZS 3131.

Lamp Holder

• Accommodates lamps with a bayonet cap of 15mm or 22mm nominal diameter.
  Exclusions:
• Lampholders specifically designed for particular appliances.
• Lamp holders for industrial equipment

Socket Outlet

• Is fixed at the termination point of fixed wiring.
• Provides a detachable connection for the pins of a plug.
• Features two, three, or four contacts.
• Has a maximum rating of 20A.
  

When in doubt, consult the supplier or manufacturer for documentation. For additional details, you can also refer to WorkSafe NZ’s guidelines on electrical safety and compliance.

This blog is written to provide general information about the importance of obtaining a Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) when purchasing electric lighting and accessories in New Zealand.

For official and detailed information, please refer to the WorkSafe New Zealand website or consult the relevant regulatory authority.