Pursuant to Regulation 87 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010 (“Regulations”), I, Mark Stephen Wogan, Manager, Energy Safety, acting under the delegated authority of the Chief Executive, WorkSafe New Zealand, give the following notice:

Notice

1. Short Title and Commencement

(a) This notice is the Electricity Regulations (Prohibition of Serene S2068) Notice 2024.

(b) The prohibitions contained in this notice take effect on the next calendar day following the publication of this notice in New Zealand Gazette.

2. Prohibited Equipment

(a) The sale (including an offer to sell) and use (including installation) of the following electrical appliance, as described in clause 3, is prohibited:

• Serene Classic S2068 wall mounted bathroom heater (S2068) appliance, manufactured in March 2021.

3. Description

(a) The prohibited S2068 appliance is further described as follows:

• Wall-mounted fan heater with step-down thermostat with pull-cord on-off switch, for fixed-wired installation in bathrooms and similar locations,
• Mirror polished stainless steel metal shell with die cast grille,
• Dimensions: 300 mm wide, 210 mm high and 110 mm deep.

(b) The prohibited S2068 appliance has a serial number in the following ranges:

• VH145173 – VH147003,
• VK154294 – VK160567, or
• WF167045 – WF1688874.

(c) The image attached to this notice shows an example of the prohibited S2068.

4. Reasons for Prohibition

(a) The prohibited Serene S2068 appliance is, or may be, electrically unsafe, in that there is significant risk that a person may suffer serious harm, or that property may suffer significant damage, as a result of dangers arising from use of, or passage of electricity through, the appliance.
(b) The reasons for believing the prohibited units are or may be unsafe are that:

1. Serene S2068 appliances manufactured in March 2021, identified in paragraph 3(b), are known to have a manufacturing defect; and;
2. Constructional differences mean the testing and certification in June 2018 are no longer adequate to demonstrate electrical safety of the S2068; and
3. There have been several fires and overheating events associated with Serene S2068 appliances.

Dated at Wellington this 8th day of February 2024.

MARK STEPHEN WOGAN, Manager, Energy Safety, WorkSafe New Zealand.