Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today said Fair Trading inspectors will be out in force at this year’s Australian National Field Days at Borenore, 15 kilometres west of Orange.

More than 600 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors are expected to attend.

The Australian National Field Days started in 1952 and is the country’s oldest annual agricultural exhibition. This year’s event will be held from 19-21 October.

Ms Judge said inspectors will be ensuring electrical articles on sale and being offered as part of promotions meet the requirements of the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 and its regulations.

“This will be the first time Fair Trading inspectors have attended the Orange field days, but similar visits to other field days have resulted in a number of penalties being issued,” Ms Judge said.

Breaches of section 16 of the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 for selling unapproved, unmarked or non-compliant electrical articles could result in strong penalties.

These could be as high as $82,500 and/or two years’ imprisonment for an individual or sole trader and $825,000 for a corporation.

Ms Judge said exhibitors should be aware that advertising or displaying electrical articles as gifts in promotions is also selling, in accordance with provisions of the legislation.

“The event provides Fair Trading inspectors with an excellent opportunity to educate businesses, especially new entrants to the renewable energy market,” Ms Judge said.

“Inspectors will be keen to talk to anyone advertising to sell or install solar cells to ensure they understand their requirements under the legislation.

“Exhibitors will also be advised that equipment such as solar panels and inverters must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council,” Ms Judge said.

Educational material regarding the law and obligations of sellers of electrical articles is available at this website.

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