Protecting Standards in the Technology Enabled Care Industry

As the technology enabled care (TEC) industry grows, it plays an increasingly important role in helping people live safely and independently. But with rising demand comes greater responsibility to ensure that devices and services are safe, trustworthy, and fit for purpose. This is where industry standards, and the bodies that uphold them, becomes essential.

Why Standards Matter

Telecare isn’t just another tech sector. It sits at the intersection of health, safety, and technology, relied on by people in moments of real vulnerability, like falls, medical emergencies, or periods of confusion or distress. Because the stakes are so high in these moments, industry standards play a crucial role in ensuring every device performs reliably when it’s needed most.

In Australasia, the key quality and performance benchmarks for monitored personal alarms are the Australian Standard (AS 4607) and the Telecare Services Association of New Zealand’s standard known as the Specification for Telecommunications Based Personal Emergency Response Systems. Both standards outline the minimum technical and performance requirements a monitored device must meet and sets the baseline for what ‘safe’ and ‘high quality’ should look like. For manufacturers, it serves as a commitment to producing reliable, dependable products that build user confidence and trust.

When someone presses their pendant or a fall sensor triggers, the device must work. There’s no second chance.

Standards also protect user privacy and data. Telecare devices collect sensitive information about movement, routines, and health so standards help ensure this data is encrypted, stored responsibly, and transmitted securely.

Be Wary of “Shonky” Products

The market has seen an influx of cheap, unregulated devices, often sold online with minimal consumer protection. These products may look appealing, but the risks are significant.

In our September 2025 blog, we highlighted findings from Australia’s consumer advocate CHOICE who, after testing 40 non‑monitored alarms, couldn’t recommend a single one. Critical functions didn’t work properly, battery life was often too short, and many lacked transparency about how user data is collected and stored.

In telecare, a device that works most of the time is simply not good enough. These products can give people false reassurance, and in the worst cases, put lives in danger.

Stronger regulation and clearer standards are vital, and an industry body helps ensure providers meet them.

Why an Industry Body Is Important

Alongside national standards, an industry body helps lift the entire sector by acting as the custodian of quality and consistency. By promoting transparency, safety, and performance, it encourages genuine innovation, rather than cutting corners or relying on marketing claims.

With Personal Emergency Response Services Limited (PERSL) in Australia and the Telecare Services Association of New Zealand (TSANZ) in New Zealand, these industry bodies are committed to ensuring best practice standards with industry guidelines, Codes of Practice, and member accreditation.

When organisations join an industry body, they agree to be held to account. If something goes wrong, like unsafe or poor-quality products, misleading claims, corner‑cutting, the body can investigate, request changes, or suspend members who don’t comply. This accountability keeps the industry safe, ethical, and trustworthy.

Final Thoughts

As telecare continues to evolve, the sector must recognise that standards alone aren’t enough. Active, unified industry bodies are essential to uphold those standards, maintain accountability, and ensure innovation never compromises user safety.

Strong, active industry bodies are essential to uphold those standards, keep providers accountable, and ensure that innovation never comes at the cost of user safety.

If we want a future where telecare is trusted, reliable, and genuinely life‑enhancing, we must support and participate in the organisations that defend these principles. Whether you’re a manufacturer, service provider, policymaker, or care professional, now is the moment to step up, engage, and champion the industry bodies.

Because behind every standard is a person who needs it. And behind every safe telecare system should be an industry willing to work together to get it right.

Protecting Standards in the Technology Enabled Care Industry

Proud member of:

You may also like

Summer Safety for Seniors: How to Protect Loved Ones from Heat Risks

Aged Care Reform: Why Technology Must Be at the Heart of Change

#ChipFest25