This notice is issued pursuant to section 31(3) of the Fair Trading Act 1986.
This notice declares certain multipurpose ladders to be unsafe.
This notice is in force from the date of its publication in the New Zealand Gazette until revoked.
N o t i c e
1. Title-This notice is the Unsafe Goods (Multipurpose Ladders) Indefinite Prohibition Notice 2014.
2. Commencement-This notice comes into force on the date of publication in the New Zealand Gazette.
3. Revocation-This notice revokes the Unsafe Goods (Multipurpose Ladders) Notice 2012*.
4. Application-(1) This notice applies to new multipurpose ladders supplied, or offered for supply, or advertised for supply, in trade.
(2) This notice is in force for an indefinite period from the date of its publication in the New Zealand Gazette unless amended or revoked by the Minister of Consumer Affairs.
5. Definitions-In this notice:
articulation joint means a hinge which is capable of being locked in one or more positions;
multipurpose ladder means any portable ladder having one or more pairs of articulation joints which allow the ladder to be rearranged to function as a single ladder, with or without a stand-off, as a single or double sided step ladder, scaffold or work platform.
6. Certain multipurpose ladders declared unsafe goods-New multipurpose ladders which do not comply with the tests described in AS/NZS1892.1:1996 Portable ladders, as modified by Schedule 1 of this notice, are unsafe goods.
Dated at Wellington this 16th day of May 2014.
HON CRAIG FOSS, Minister of Consumer Affairs.
Explanatory Note
This note is not part of the notice but is intended to indicate its general effect and consequences.
New Zealand Customs Service requirements
Under section 33 of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and section 54 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996, it is prohibited to import into New Zealand multipurpose ladders that are declared unsafe goods by clause 6 of this notice.
Any person seeking to import a multipurpose ladder after the date of this notice may need to provide the New Zealand Customs Service with acceptable documentation demonstrating that the import of that multipurpose ladder is not prohibited by this notice.
Commerce Commission requirements
Under section 33 of the Fair Trading Act 1986, any person who supplies, offers to supply, or advertises to supply a multipurpose ladder after the date of this notice may need to provide an officer of the Commerce Commission with acceptable documentation demonstrating that the multipurpose ladder is not declared to be unsafe goods by clause 6.
Acceptable documentation
Acceptable documentation will usually consist of:
(a) a certificate of compliance with AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders that sets out:
(i) the name and address of the importer, or the manufacturer; and
(ii) the make and model number of the multipurpose ladder; and
(iii) the date of the test and the results of the test; or
(b) a statement that the multipurpose ladder complies with AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders that sets out:
(i) the name and address of the supplier; and
(ii) the make and model number of the multipurpose ladder; and
(iii) the date of the statement; and
(iv) the statement that: "The statement above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that a false statement may be a breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 and may lead to a penalty of up to $60,000.00 for an individual and up to $200,000.00 for a company"; and
(v) the signature of the supplier.
Schedule 1
For the purposes of clause 6 of Unsafe Goods (Multipurpose Ladders) Indefinite Prohibition Notice 2014, Schedule 1 modifies the tests described in AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders accordingly:
1. Clause 2.6.2(b) Spacing
Clause 2.6.2 (b) Spacing of AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders is replaced with the following:
(b) Treads and rungs shall be uniformly spaced at a distance between centres within the range 248 ñ2mm to 306 ñ2mm as measured along the stiles of the ladder (all measurements between the centres of the tops of treads and rungs).
2. Clause 2.7(a) Marking
Clause 2.7(a) Marking of AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders is replaced with the following:
(a) The name of the New Zealand manufacturer or importer (whether the ladder has been made for sale or otherwise).
3. Appendix W: Stepladder Walking Test
Appendix W of AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders is replaced with the following:
STEPLADDER WALKING TEST
(NORMATIVE)
W1 SCOPE
This Appendix sets out a method for determining the resistance of a stepladder, trestle ladder or other ladder of equivalent configuration to movement relative to the supporting surface, when subjected to the fluctuating forces associated with normal use.
W2 PRINCIPLE
A ladder is loaded with a specified mass and a lateral load (sufficient to lift the feet on one side just clear of the test surface) is applied alternately to each side of the top cap. Any resulting movement of the point of contact of the stile feet with the test surface is measured.
W3 APPARATUS
The following apparatus is required:
(a) A horizontal, flat, rigid smooth, dry and unwaxed vinyl tiled test surface.
(b) A means of applying the setting force equivalent to the load rating of the ladder.
(c) A 10kg mass (to apply a static load).
(d) A means of measuring the walking distance to an accuracy of ñ1mm.
W4 PROCEDURE
The procedure shall be as follows (see Figure W1):
(a) Place the ladder in the fully open position and with any spreaders fully set, on the test surface. (See Note 1)
(b) Apply the setting force appropriate to the load rating of the ladder directly to the top cap or platform.
(c) Remove the setting force.
(d) Measure the length of one stile and thus determine the midpoint of the ladder.
(e) Apply the 10kg mass on to the centre of the upper surface of the tread immediately below the midpoint of the ladder.
(f) Mark the position of both the left- and right-hand stile feet on the test surface.
(g) Apply a horizontal sideways force by hand and without shock, to the right-hand side of the top cap or platform, sufficient to lift both the right-hand stile foot and right-hand back leg foot clear of the test surface by at least 5mm.
(h) Gently remove the horizontal force.
(i) Apply a horizontal sideways force by hand and without shock, to the left-hand side of the top cap or platform, sufficient to lift both the left-hand stile foot and left-hand back leg foot clear of the test surface by at least 5mm.
(j) Gently remove the horizontal force.
(k) Repeat Steps (g) to (j) a further four times.
(l) Measure and record the total distance through which both left- and right-hand stile feet have moved from the datum point established in Step (f).
(m) Examine the spreaders for unlocking.
W5 CRITERIA
The spreaders of the ladder shall have remained locked throughout the test. The average distance through which both front feet have moved, shall not exceed the permissible walking distance (W) when determined from the following equation:
W = 14 + 15L1.8 ...(W5)
Where
W = permissible walking distance, in millimetres
L = working length of the ladder under test, in metres
(See Note 2 and Figure W2)

FIGURE W1 STEPLADDER WALKING TEST
























FIGURE W2 STEPLADDER WALKING TEST, Length L

























Notes
1. Where there is a range of possible movement of the stiles when the ladder hinges are in the locked position, the test shall be carried out with the ladder in the most onerous position.
2. The working length L of the stepladder for the purposes of the walking test is the length from the test surface in front of the stiles to the centre of the hinge, including the feet as described in Figure W2.
*New Zealand Gazette, 21 November 2012, No. 139, page 4040