Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) for Australia & New Zealand.
Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) product compliance testing.
About
Regulatory Compliance Mark – RCM
What is the RCM scheme for Australia & New Zealand
Scheme: RCM compliance (previously C-tick, A-tick)
Region: Australia and New Zealand
Regulator: Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Description: Electrical and electronic products sold into the Australian and New Zealand market must be RCM compliant and must undergo RCM testing. This involves 5 areas of compliance:
- EMC testing (Electromagnetic Compatibility)
- EMR testing (Electromagnetic Radiation)
- Radiofrequency communications testing (Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) for New Zealand)
- Telecommunications testing
- Safety testing
The RCM label can only be used when the product complies with all applicable mandatory standards.
RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) – Australian & New Zealand compliance requirements
- Local responsible supplier required for any ACMA RCM applicable product. Suppliers of products under the ERAC scope must have an ABN in order to register as suppliers. Products not under the ERAC scope can be supplied through a local RCM supplier agent acting on their behalf.
- Relevant RCM test reports must be held by the supplier as evidence of compliance with the relevant RCM standards.
- All suppliers must register on the ACMA / ERAC National Database. Supplier registration is free of charge for ACMA registration.
- Suppliers must register on the ACMA/ERAC National Database and if mandatory RCM safety standards apply, they must also register the product on the database.
- Suppliers must complete and sign an RCM Declaration of Conformity Statement which lists all the applicable RCM standards which the product complies with. (EMC, EMR, Wireless, Telecoms, Electrical Safety).
- C-tick and A-tick were phased out by the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) in March 2016.
- The RCM label must be affixed to the product after compliance has been established prior to supply in the Australian or New Zealand market. Affixing the RCM label prior to compliance and also not keep records as required may be an offense under the law. Click here to download the RCM label artwork (zip file).
- For Radiocommuications compliance in New Zealand, the Radio Spectrum Management rules apply, including R-NZ labeling when applicable.
- NATA test reports are highly recommended to ensure report acceptance. ACMA advises that in case of a dispute, a NATA endorsed report is always accepted as proof of ACMA compliance.
- Note that products employing wireless and telecoms will generally require test reports for Telecoms, Wireless, EMC, Safety, and EMR/SAR.
- Certain products (such as Power Adapters or Chargers) known as “prescribed or declared articles” must also be:
- Tested for electrical safety by an accredited laboratory (click here for safety testing services).
- A Certificate of Conformity obtained from an accredited Certification Body.
- Registered on the ERAC national database as an RCM Responsible Supplier.
- A Responsible Supplier can delegate the ERAC registration to their ERAC Authorised Representative
- Only high-risk products must be specifically registered on the EESS National database. Fees apply in this instance.
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Please note there may also be other mandated or contractual compliance requirements that apply to your product. These may include Australian and New Zealand Energy Efficiency requirements for regulated products including AC/DC power supplies. Other specific products may require additional compliance such as the ones listed on the Australia Product Safety website.
Detailed information on the requirements for each type of RCM test
Electromagnetic Compatibility - EMC
Applicable to most electrical and electronic products!
Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
Electrical and Electronic Product compliance for Australia
EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation)
Compliance if using a Radiocommunications device or for certain equipment & environments.
Electrical Safety
For high risk or prescribed/declared/in-scope articles), this includes AC mains powered products.
Radiocommunications
Includes all low power transmitters such as Bluetooth, BLE, Zig-Bee, RFID, 433MHz.
Telecommuications
Includes 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G mobile devices along with traditional land line and similar telecomunication equipment.
Detailed information on the requirements for each type of RCM test
Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
Electrical and Electronic Product compliance for Australia
Electromagnetic Compatibility - EMC
Applicable to most electrical and electronic products!
EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation)
Compliance if using a Radiocommunications device or for certain equipment & environments.
Electrical Safety
For high risk or prescribed/declared/in-scope articles), this includes AC mains powered products.
Radiocommunications
Includes all low power transmitters such as Bluetooth, BLE, Zig-Bee, RFID, 433MHz.
Telecommuications
Includes 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G mobile devices along with traditional land line and similar telecomunication equipment.
Detailed information on the requirements for each type of RCM test
Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
Electrical and Electronic Product compliance for Australia
Electromagnetic Compatibility - EMC
Applicable to most electrical and electronic products!
EMR (Electromagnetic Radiation)
Compliance if using a Radiocommunications device or for certain equipment & environments.
Electrical Safety
For high risk or prescribed/declared/in-scope articles), this includes AC mains powered products.
Radiocommunications
Includes all low power transmitters such as Bluetooth, BLE, Zig-Bee, RFID, 433MHz.
Telecommuications
Includes 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G mobile devices along with traditional land line and similar telecomunication equipment.
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