AS/NZS 3551 Explained
Last updated: October 2026
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Management of medical equipment
AS/NZS 3551 provides a framework for managing medical electrical equipment throughout its service life, including safety, performance, testing and maintenance.
It is one of the key standards used by ClinicCheck, the medical equipment testing and compliance division of NZ Test Group.
What Does AS/NZS 3551 Cover?
AS/NZS 3551 is concerned with the management of medical electrical equipment used in healthcare environments.
Rather than simply asking whether a device is electrically safe, the standard takes a broader approach to ensuring medical equipment remains suitable for its intended clinical use.
This can involve equipment identification, safety assessment, performance verification, maintenance and record keeping.
What Medical Equipment May Be Covered?
The standard can apply to a wide range of medical electrical equipment used in healthcare facilities.
Depending on the equipment and its intended use, this can include devices such as patient monitors, ECG machines, NIBP blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, suction equipment, nebulisers, AEDs and other electrically powered medical devices.
The appropriate checks depend on the type of device, its function, manufacturer information and the risks associated with its use.
Is AS/NZS 3551 Just Electrical Test & Tag?
No.
Ordinary workplace electrical equipment is commonly inspected and tested using AS/NZS 3760.
Medical equipment can require additional assessment because electrical safety is only one part of determining whether the equipment is suitable for continued clinical use.
For example, a medical device may be electrically safe but still have a performance problem that could affect the accuracy or reliability of the device.
What Is Performance Verification?
Performance verification involves checking that relevant functions of a medical device continue to operate within appropriate limits.
Exactly what is checked depends on the equipment.
For example, testing may involve verifying measurements or functions associated with blood pressure, oxygen saturation, ECG signals, suction or other clinical parameters.
This is one of the important differences between medical equipment testing and ordinary appliance Test & Tag.
How Often Should Medical Equipment Be Tested?
There isn't necessarily one testing interval that applies to every medical device.
The appropriate frequency can depend on factors including the type of equipment, its intended use, manufacturer recommendations, risk and service history.
A suitable equipment management programme should therefore consider the individual device rather than assuming every item requires exactly the same testing regime.
Why Are Equipment Records Important?
Good records are an important part of medical equipment management.
Records can include equipment identification, location, inspection and test results, maintenance history and other relevant information.
This creates a traceable service history and helps healthcare providers manage their medical equipment over its working life.
What About Body Protected Areas?
AS/NZS 3551 deals primarily with the management of medical equipment.
The electrical installation requirements for patient areas and Body Protected Areas (BPAs) are addressed separately
under AS/NZS 3003.
The two standards can therefore operate alongside each other: one dealing with the medical equipment itself and the other with the electrical installation and patient-area environment.
Where Does AS/NZS 3551 Fit With Other Standards?
AS/NZS 3551 is one part of the wider medical electrical safety framework.
AS/NZS 3003 addresses electrical installations in patient areas, while AS/NZS 3760 is commonly used for ordinary in-service electrical equipment.
Which standard applies depends on the equipment, environment and how that equipment is being used.
Understanding that distinction helps avoid treating every electrical item in a healthcare facility as though it requires the same type of testing.
Need Help With AS/NZS 3551?
ClinicCheck – Medical Equipment Testing & Compliance
ClinicCheck provides medical equipment testing, verification and compliance solutions as part of NZ Test Group.
If you're unsure what testing or verification requirements apply to your medical equipment, talk to our team.