In New South Wales, the Office of Fair Trading exercises control over the sale of electrical appliances and equipment. Products found to be unsafe or likely to become unsafe can be prohibited from sale or recalled from the market place at the manufacturer's expense.

Because of unsatisfactory history, certain products have been "declared" and cannot be sold legally unless bearing the number of the Certificate of Approval, issued by the Department.

The Office of Fair Trading requires that Declared products be tested and comply with relevant standards. Upon application with appropriate test report and samples, a Certificate of Approval will be issued by the Office. There is mutual recognition of such approvals between states so application in one state covers all of Australia.

The Office of Fair Trading also has powers over non-declared products connected to the electrical supply. Manufacturers and importers have a duty of care under the law. The Office operates a voluntary scheme for all products and will issue a Certificate of Suitability based on compliance to a standard by testing. The Certificate of Suitability is recognised as one means for the supplier to show that reasonable steps have been taken to discharge their responsibility.