Manufacturing Forums

Ai Group’s electrical members manufacture and supply electrical appliance technology, electrical line and distribution, motors, power electronics and other electro-technology products and services. We support these members through our focus on policy, regulatory, commercial and technical issues in the electrical sector. Ai Group works with members on important issues affecting their businesses including energy efficiency, product stewardship and alignment of domestic and international standards. We identify market opportunities in key vertical sectors, form strategic national and international alliances and collaborate with R&D institutions to support and grow the sector.

Each of the specialist Forums below meet quarterly to discuss current issues of interest to members, respond to government and regulators' requests for input to policy development and to coordinate the presentation of members’ views at International and Australian Standards Committee meetings.

The Hazardous Area Equipment Forum is concerned with general use electrical products with additional safety requirements for dangerous environments (such as the mining and petrochemical industries). The Forum is very actively involved in establishing and assessing international and national Standards. Extension of this work by the Forum members includes educating end-users, government and industry about hazardous area equipment and assisting with the adoption of the international IECEx Scheme

Current issues include discussion on opportunities for members to develop export and domestic markets through closer linkages to all parts of the supply chain.

The Electrical Appliances and Accessories Forum addresses the technical and regulatory environment affecting supply of electrical appliances and electrical accessories through interaction with regulators and participation in standards bodies. This Forum is particularly focused on electrical safety, energy efficiency and environmental issues associated with electrical appliances and accessories. These include the proposed national electrical equipment safety system, EMC labelling (A-Tick & C-Tick), National legislation for MEPS, Energy labelling and GEMS, electrical standards development, National waste policy, Product Stewardship and EU Directives including REACH, RoHs and WEEE.

Current issues include a review of the proposed changes to the Equipment Electrical Safety system and energy and water efficiency programs for a range of products.

The Rotating Machines Forum addresses the common interest areas of members involved with the manufacture or supply of electric motors, motor control systems and equipment utilising electric motors. The Forum’s work focuses on minimum energy performance standards, educating the market on standards issues and working with the government regulators.

Current issues include discussions with government on the next rounds of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for Electric 3 Phase Motors and the revision of the relevant Standards to support this program, the harmonisation of local

Standards with international standards, proposed national electrical equipment safety system, environment issues such as the NSW greenhouse gas abatement scheme, RoHS, WEEE, E-Waste, national waste policy development, development of communications mechanisms, programs targeted at the broader industry and planning the expansion of MEPS beyond motors to the efficiency of the entire system that incorporates the motor.