I get asked about standards and compliance regularly. Electricians want to know if they can install a particular product. Facility managers want to know if the lights they’re buying meet Australian requirements. Importers want to know what’s required.

Let me explain the key standards in plain language.

The Main Standard: AS/NZS 60598

The primary safety standard for luminaires (light fittings) in Australia and New Zealand is AS/NZS 60598, titled “Luminaires” in the general part.

This is actually a family of standards:

AS/NZS 60598.1: General requirements. This covers safety requirements for all luminaires regardless of type—things like electrical safety, construction, marking, and testing.

AS/NZS 60598.2.x: Particular requirements for specific luminaire types. For example:

• AS/NZS 60598.2.1: Fixed general purpose luminaires
• AS/NZS 60598.2.2: Recessed luminaires
• AS/NZS 60598.2.5: Floodlights
• AS/NZS 60598.2.22: Emergency lighting

An LED fitting needs to comply with the general requirements (60598.1) plus the relevant particular requirements for its type.

Why Does This Matter?

Safety: Compliant products have been tested to ensure they won’t cause fires, electric shocks, or other hazards under normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

Liability: Installing non-compliant products exposes electricians and building owners to legal liability. If something goes wrong, the first question is “was the product compliant?”

Rebates: Energy efficiency schemes (ESS, VEET) require products to meet Australian standards. Non-compliant products don’t generate certificates.

Insurance: Building insurance policies typically assume compliant electrical installations. Non-compliant products could void coverage.

LED-Specific Standards

Beyond AS/NZS 60598, LED products have additional relevant standards:

AS/NZS 62031: LED modules for general lighting—safety specifications. This covers the LED modules themselves (the actual chips and boards).

AS/NZS 62384: DC or AC supplied electronic control gear for LED modules—performance requirements. This is about the drivers that power the LEDs.

AS/NZS 62560: Self-ballasted LED lamps for general lighting services. This covers LED lamps that screw into standard sockets (domestic retrofit globes, essentially).

For commercial LED fittings, AS/NZS 60598.1, the relevant 60598.2.x part, and AS/NZS 62031 are typically the key standards.

How to Check Compliance

When someone shows you an LED product and claims it’s compliant, how do you verify?

Look for test reports: Reputable manufacturers should have test reports from accredited laboratories demonstrating compliance with Australian standards. NATA-accredited labs in Australia, or internationally recognised labs with IEC CB scheme reports, are what you’re looking for.

Check the RCM mark: The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) indicates the product is registered with the ERAC scheme and the supplier claims compliance with applicable Australian standards. The RCM replaced the old C-Tick and A-Tick marks.

Note: The RCM doesn’t mean the government has tested the product. It means the supplier has registered and declared compliance. Dodgy products can carry RCM marks until they get caught.

Request certificates: A Certificate of Compliance (not to be confused with an electrician’s installation certificate) from the manufacturer or importer should state which standards the product meets.

Be suspicious of generic claims: “Meets Australian standards” without specifying which standards is a red flag. “CE certified” (European) is not the same as Australian compliance, though the underlying technical requirements are often similar.

IP and IK Ratings

While not Australian-specific standards, IP and IK ratings are critical for commercial applications:

IP (Ingress Protection): Two digits indicating protection against solids and liquids.

• First digit (0-6): Solid object protection. 6 = dust tight.
• Second digit (0-8): Liquid protection. 4 = splash resistant, 5 = water jets, 6 = powerful water jets, 7 = temporary immersion.

Common ratings:

• IP20: Indoor, clean environments
• IP54: Dusty/damp environments, suitable for most commercial indoor spaces
• IP65: Wash-down areas, outdoor covered
• IP66: Outdoor, powerful water jets

IK (Impact Protection): Single two-digit number indicating mechanical impact resistance.

• IK08: 5 joules (1.7kg from 300mm)—suitable for most commercial
• IK10: 20 joules (5kg from 400mm)—high vandal resistance

Choose ratings appropriate to the installation environment, not just the minimum required.

Practical Advice for Electricians

Keep records: When you install LED fittings, keep copies of the compliance documentation. If there’s ever a question about the products, you want evidence that you installed compliant goods.

Question cheap imports: Those incredibly cheap LEDs on certain websites probably aren’t properly tested or certified. The risk isn’t worth the savings.

Understand the client’s obligations: If a client provides their own LEDs and asks you to install them, make sure they’re compliant. You can refuse to install non-compliant products—in fact, you should.

Stay updated: Standards get revised. AS/NZS 60598 has been updated multiple times. What was compliant five years ago might not meet current requirements.

Common Questions

“Do I need an electrician to install LED panels?” Yes. Connecting luminaires to fixed wiring is electrical work requiring a licensed electrician. LED tubes that retrofit into existing fluorescent fittings (without rewiring) are a grey area—technically the fitting itself isn’t being modified, but I still recommend using qualified people.

“Can I import LEDs directly from overseas?” You can, but you take on responsibility for compliance. The product must meet Australian standards, carry appropriate markings, and you may need to register as a supplier under the ERAC scheme.

“What if a product has IEC certification but not AS/NZS?” Australian standards for luminaires are largely based on IEC standards. A product tested to IEC 60598 will typically meet AS/NZS 60598 requirements, but there can be national differences. You’d need specific verification.

“Is CE marking enough?” No. CE indicates European compliance, not Australian. There’s significant overlap technically, but CE is not a substitute for Australian certification claims.

The Bottom Line

Standards might seem like bureaucratic overhead, but they protect everyone—manufacturers, installers, building owners, and occupants.

Don’t cut corners on compliance. Use reputable suppliers, ask for documentation, and keep records.

If you’re ever uncertain about a product, contact the manufacturer or check with your industry association. Better to ask upfront than explain problems later.