Selling second-hand in-scope electrical equipment

A second-hand item refers to in-scope electrical equipment that has previously been sold. However, a second-hand item does not include in-scope electrical equipment that:

• has previously been sold by wholesale
• is acquired for the production or manufacture another item of in-scope electrical equipment (e.g., a plug to permanently attach to a washing machine)
• is acquired, except by a second-hand dealer, for the purpose of re-supply (e.g., for sale exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase) or
• returned to a supplier for a refund or exchange.

A seller of a second-hand item is anyone who offers for sale a second-hand item. This includes persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), individual sellers using online platforms and marketplaces, and volunteer organisations, charities and non-profit organisations.

Sellers of second-hand items are not required to have the second-hand item tested for electrical safety before offer to selling it, but they must inform a prospective buyer if it has not been tested.

Alternatively, sellers may choose to have the second-hand item tested for electrical safety by a licensed electrical worker, and on finding that the item is electrical safe give the buyer information about the test.

If the buyer is a PCBU that deals in repairing or reconditioning second hand electrical equipment, the seller of the second-hand items is not required to test the equipment or advise the PCBU that it has not been tested.

PCBUs who sell second-hand item must ensure that it is sold with information on how to use it in an electrically safe way.

Unlike new equipment, manufacturer's instructions are often not available with second hand goods. Sellers should access the manufacturer's website to obtain a copy of these instructions.

If copies of the original manufacturer's usage instructions cannot be found, sellers must provide electrical safety advice for the equipment. This should include, as a minimum:

• safe operating instructions
• care and maintenance instructions required to maintain electrical safety
• any specific safety instructions relevant to the equipment.