EMC testing
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) product compliance testing & certification
What is Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and compliance have to do with electromagnetic energy and how it may cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) or physical damage in the environment in which it operates. A common interpretation states that “an electronic or electrical product shall work as intended in its environment”, a fairly meaningless statement that makes no reference to standards compliance.
What is EMC Compliance
Set out in test standards depending upon the product type or compliance regions outlines the test requirements and pass or fail criteria hence compliant or non-compliant. These requirements are based on the expected electromagnetic environment that the device will be used in. Some regions only require emissions testing (emitted EMI) while other markets mandate immunity testing (susceptibility from EMI and transient effects).
About
Established in 1992 by 2 EMC experts
Established in 1992 by two EMC experts who previously worked for the Department of Defence (Government Aircraft Facilities). The EMC Technologies group including EMC Bayswater has invested heavily in facilities and staff to provide the highest level of EMC testing in Australia and New Zealand. With state-of-the-art modern facilities including the only commercial accredited EMC testing facility with a 10m iOATS facility allowing modern and efficient testing of large products.
Commercial, Consumer & Industrial
Mandated regional product compliance requirements such as RCM, CE, FCC, ISED.
Military & Aerospace
Compliance with standards such as MIL-STD 461, MIL-STD 464, RTCA/DO-160, RTCA DO-294 and DO-307
Medical
Compliance with mandated directives such TGA, FDA & Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EC as amended by 2007/47/EC.
Automotive
Compliance for components, assemblies and whole vehicles with Automotive standards such as Ford, Holden, Toyota etc.
Railway & Rolling Stock
Compliance with railway and rolling stock standards such as EN 50121-X-X series.
Radio & Wireless
Compliance with standards such as ETSI EN 301 489-1 series for combined radio and products.
EMC Testing with EMC Technologies & EMC Bayswater
EMC Technologies offer accredited testing and 4 convenient locations with excellent testing facilities and experts. Locations include North West Melbourne, South East Melbourne, Sydney in Australia, and Auckland in New Zealand.
We can handle your compliance requirements, perform your testing efficiently and complete your approvals with a fast turnaround. Providing accredited test reports that can be used in many regions and as evidence for certification requirements when needed.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing Services
EMC Technologies can provide the necessary EMC testing services and approvals for major international and local markets. Click on the links below to find out more about the EMC test requirements for your required markets.
CE for Europe (Identical to the UKCA requirments for the United Kingdom)
RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) – Australian and New Zealand EMC compliance requirements
Region: Australia and New Zealand
Regulator: Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Description: Electrical and electronic products supplied into the Australian and New Zealand markets must be RCM compliant for Electromagnetic Compatibility under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act). This involves EMC testing (Electromagnetic Compatibility) for most common household products. This includes white goods, kitchen appliances, multi-media equipment, Information and Technology, medical and industrial equipment additionally to some vehicles and products with internal combustion engines and even electric vehicles and chargers.
Legal Requirements:
EMC testing evidence is required for most products, typically by using an RCM EMC test report to the most applicable product or generic environment ACMA list of EMC standards (“ACMA mandated EMC standards”).
Only emissions testing is required excluding Harmonics and Flicker testing (IEC 61000-3-2 and IEC 61000-3-3) which is not required. Immunity testing is not mandatory however highly recommended by ACMA to increase product reliability.
Depending on the classification (low, medium or high risk) different levels of proof of compliance are required. Some products are exempt from RCM testing. If in doubt, we will be happy to guide you. Whilst some products such as battery-powered product may not require an EMC test report, the product must still comply with the applicable ACMA listed EMC standards.
- CE (European), FCC (North America) or ISED (Canada) EMC test reports may be used to demonstrate compliance to the RCM listed EMC standard. But this typically requires expert knowledge and sometimes additional testing to ensure compliance. EMC Technologies offer an ACMA RCM EMC report review service to indicate compliance and any shortfall.
- To supply a product that is not compliant with the EMC rules per the Radiocommunications Labelling (Electromagnetic Compatibility) is an offence including; applying no RCM label when required, applying the label before compliance is established and for no record keeping. Penalties for breaching the Act can reach up to $18,000.
For more information on the other requirements of the RCM scheme for Australia & New Zealand visit our Regulatory Compliance Mark RCM page.
ACMA RCM Radiocommunications Labelling (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Notice 2017 – EMC Product Risk levels
RCM EMC - Low Risk Device
A low-risk device means a device that is not a medium or high-risk device. Includes standalone battery-only powered products i.e. no external power supply including USB. Basically, any product that poses a very low risk including products not containing electrical or electronic switching, motors, micro-controllers, etc., i.e. passive.
Suppliers requirements: Description of the product, RCM labeling optional, if labeled then an RCM Declaration of Conformity is required.
RCM EMC - Medium Risk Device
A Medium risk device means that it is not a high-risk device and contains 1 or more of the following:
(a) a switch-mode power supply; (b) a transistor switching circuit; (c) a microprocessor; (d) a commutator; (e) a slip‑ring motor; (f) an electronic device operating in a switching mode or a non‑linear mode.
A battery‑powered device is not a medium-risk device unless the ACMA has declared the device to be a medium-risk device. The ACMA may declare in writing that a particular battery-powered product if the common operation causes interference, likely to cause EMI and/or disruption to radiocommunications services.
Suppliers Requirements: Device description, valid test report, RCM labeling, and Declaration of Conformity.
RCM EMC - High Risk Device
A High risk device means a device described as ‘Group 2 ISM equipment’ in AS/NZS CISPR 11:2011. Typically these types of devices potentially produce high levels of EMI. Products may include arc welders, microwave ovens, induction cooking appliances, etc.
Suppliers Requirements: Device description, valid Accredited test report, RCM labeling, and Declaration of Conformity.
CE Marking – European compliance requirements
Specialising in CE Marking compliance for the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Directive, RED (Radio Equipment Directive), and LVD (Low Voltage Directive)
Region: Europe and EFTA Countries
Regulator: European Commission
Description: Electrical and electronic products sold in the European market must be CE marked. The application of the CE mark requires compliance with various European directives depending on the type of product. Commonly applied EU Directives include EMC, Low Voltage Directive (LVD), Radio Equipment Directive (RED), Machine Directive (MD), and Medical Devices.
Legal Requirements:
- The product must be tested to relevant harmonised standards. Most products require comprehensive emissions and immunity testing.
- Relevant test reports shall be held by the supplier as evidence of compliance to the harmonised standards/directives
- Suppliers must complete and sign a Declaration of Conformity Statement which lists all the applicable directives and harmonised standards which the product complies with
- The CE mark must be affixed to the product.
- For certain equipment/standards, a notified body must sign-off on the test reports
- NATA test reports are highly recommended to ensure report acceptance, otherwise, products may have to be re-tested locally by an accredited laboratory
EMC Technologies Melbourne Branch – 10m iOATS Radiated emissions test site. Ideal for testing large products!
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) – United States of America (USA) compliance requirements
Specialising in USA FCC compliance testing and certification
Region: North America (USA)
Regulator: Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Description: Electrical and electronic products sold in the US market must comply with relevant sections of the FCC rules, based on the type of product.
Legal Requirements:
- The product must be tested to relevant section of the FCC rules on a registered or accredited test site
- Emissions testing only is required
- Relevant test reports shall be held by the supplier as evidence of compliance
- Local Representative is required for DoC products
- The FCC logo and statement must be affixed to the product
- Certain products require FCC accredited (DoC) reports. An FCC accredited (not listed) site must be used. EMC Technologies is both FCC accredited for DoC testing and FCC listed for Verification testing
- Certain products require endorsed (ie NATA accredited) test reports
- Intentional radiators require certification. The test report and associated technical documentation must be submitted to the FCC or a designated TCB (Telecommunications Certification Body/Technical Conformity Body). A grant is then issued for the product and FCC ID number
- EMC Technologies can make all TCB arrangements on your behalf.
ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development) – Canada compliance requirements
Specialising in Canadian ISED compliance testing and certification
Region: Canada
Regulator: ISED
Description: Electrical and electronic products sold in the Canadian market must comply with the Canadian EMC, Wireless, and Human Exposure Standards. ISED generally accepts FCC test reports for some transmitters however the FCC reports must contain specific reference to the relevant ISED requirements and standards.
Legal Requirements:
- The product must be tested to the relevant standards on a registered test site
- Emissions testing only is required
- Relevant test reports shall be held by the supplier as evidence of compliance
- The ISED logo and statement must be affixed to the product
- Intentional radiators require certification. The test report and associated technical documentation must be submitted to Industry Canada or a designated TCB (Telecommunications Certification Body /Technical Conformity Body). A grant is then issued for the product and ISED number
- A local representative is required for most transmitters
- EMC Technologies can make all TCB arrangements on your behalf.
– VCCI (Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment) – Japanese compliance requirements
Specialising in Japanese VCCI and JRL (Japanese Radio Law) MIC compliance testing and certification
Region: Japan
Regulator: Ministry of Information and Commerce (MIC) for Wireless devices. Self regulating (voluntary) for Information Technology Equipment (ITE).
Description: Electrical and electronic products sold in the Japanese market must comply with relevant MIC regulations and VCCI Rules.
Legal Requirements:
- The product must be tested to the relevant standards by an authorised and registered test house
- EMC Technologies is the only VCCI registered Test house in Australia/NZ
- Emissions testing only is required for ITE
- Relevant test reports shall be held by the supplier as evidence of compliance
- The VCCI logo and statement must be affixed to the product
- Intentional radiators require testing and MIC certification by Registered Certification Body (RCB)
- EMC Technologies can make all certification arrangements on your behalf.
Latest Approvals News!
Electrical Vehicle Chargers (EVCs): EMC Testing and Standards.
The increasing need to reduce carbon emissions and find environmentally friendly transport has led to the growing use of Electric Vehicles (EV) such as cars and bikes and a corresponding increase in the demand for new, faster Electrical Vehicle Chargers (EVCs). In...
ICES-003 issue 7 – EMC testing for Canada
EMC testing of Information Technology Equipment (ITE) for Canadian compliance requires testing to the EMC standard ICES-003. As of the 15th of October 2021, the required Canadian ISED (The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) EMC...
Product Testing Australia
To ensure that products when supplied to the market must meet the mandatory compliance standards including mandated EMC and safety standards. It also helps provide evidence for any claims of performance made about the product. EMC Technologies provide accredited...
UKCA mark for the United Kingdom starts January 2021
The UK has left the European Union (EU), and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year. This has some implications for suppliers to both the UK and EU regions. New UK product marking UKCA replacing the CE for Great Britain Products previously...