AS3547 Australian Standard for Breath Alcohol Testing Devices

AS3547 Standard

Workplace alcohol testing has become essential for maintaining safety and regulatory compliance across all Australian industries.
The AS3547 Standard ensures that devices perform consistently and maintain their effectiveness across various conditions while adhering to Australian performance standards.

SAI Global conducts certification in alignment with the Standards requirements to guarantee compliance and quality assurance. The 5 Ticks StandardsMark™ is granted solely upon successful certification and is recognized as the most prominent Standards Mark in Australia.

The Requirements to Meet the AS3547 Standards

The AS3547 Standards establish essential criteria for breath testing devices, focusing on key aspects such as:
1.      Accuracy
2.      Reliability
3.      Calibration stability
4.      Environmental durability; and
5.      Data integrity

Under the Australian Standard AS3547, breathalysers are classified into four separate categories, relevant to both personal and industrial applications. This Standard specifies the necessary requirements to be fulfilled, guaranteeing a uniform standard of quality and dependability.

Type 1 – Disposable single-use breathalysers
Disposable single-use devices were removed from the AS3547:2019 Standard variant.

Type 2 – Portable Handheld Devices
Portable breathalysers are commonly utilised in a wide range of industries, such as transportation, mining, construction, and healthcare. Additionally, they are popular for personal use, allowing individuals to conduct their own alcohol testing.

Type 3 – Fixed Installation Devices
Devices that are either fixed or affixed to walls and are set up at specific testing locations. These are non-transportable devices.

Type 4 – Interlock Devices
These devices are engineered to restrict access to vehicles or machinery, enhancing safety by disabling operation upon the detection of alcohol.

Accuracy and Reliability

Accuracy is essential for the effectiveness of any alcohol testing program. According to the AS3547:2019 Standards, breathalysers are required to deliver readings to three decimal places, down to 0.000 g/210L, in environments where alcohol is absent.
This Standard also defines Maximum Permissible Errors (MPE), stipulating that for measurements between 0.000 and 0.050 g/210L, the MPE must not exceed ±0.005 g/210L, while for readings above 0.050 g/210L, the MPE is limited to ±10% of the measured value.
Such specifications are important for ensuring the reliability and consistency of test results, and devices must retain their accuracy for a minimum of six months before requiring recalibration.
Results should be generated within 1 minute unless the level exceeds 0.100 g/210L, allowing up to 3 minutes to recycle.
The AS3547:1997 Standard was limited to personal use, whereas the AS3547:2019 Standard expands its scope to include workplace, medical, and vehicle interlock devices.
These are based on the updated AS3547:2019 revision.

Calibration of Devices

Workplace Drug & Alcohol testing policies will outline the calibration period, which will range from 6–18 months, depending on the device. Regular calibration and maintenance are essential to ensure long-term accuracy. The general recommendation is to calibrate devices annually.

Environmental

Under the AS3547 Standard, breath testers undergo rigorous testing against various environmental conditions to ensure their accuracy and durability.
Devices are required to perform within set temperature and humidity ranges, battery fluctuations, shock and vibration, and electrical disturbances.
Testing also assesses resistance to electrical interference and cross-sensitivity to substances such as acetone, carbon monoxide and methanol.

Reliable Data

Devices certified under AS3547 are required to safeguard alcohol test records from any alterations or overwriting. This stipulation enhances accountability and mitigates the potential for fraudulent manipulation of test results in workplace settings.

Although certification under the AS3547 Standard is not mandated by law for breathalysers, acquiring this certification offers confidence that the device has been subjected to thorough testing in line with stringent quality standards. Generally, workplace policies regarding drug and alcohol testing will indicate the requirement for such certification.

The Previous Edition of Australian Standard AS3547:1997 Certification Remains Valid

The previous edition of the Standard remains valid, and the 2019 update is only required if your workplace mandates this update. It is important for workplaces to have a current drug and alcohol testing policy to outline company procedures.
Further information:

•    How to verify certification: Certification claims should be verified through the SAI Global register (saiglobal.com), which is the only authoritative source.

•    Passive must be followed by active: If passive screening detects alcohol, an active mouthpiece test must follow to obtain a certified result. Passive alone is never sufficient for compliance or disciplinary purposes.

•    Calibration is mandatory: An out-of-calibration device cannot be relied on for any workplace or compliance purpose. AS3547 requires accuracy to be maintained over the full 6-month minimum calibration period.

This information serves as a guide only. Please seek your own independent advice when forming decisions.