Alert: Changes to ACMA labelling arrangements from 1 March 2013.New single compliance mark – RCM. Further information is available. |
Labelling requirements for EMC, radiocommunications, EME and telecommunications devices—a summary
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA), under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and the Telecommunications Act 1997 is responsible for technical regulation, including the mandatory requirements for labelling of:
- specified electrical and electronic devices;
- radiocommunications devices; and
- telecommunications customer equipment (devices) and cable.
Compliance and labelling requirements for devices are outlined in the relevant labelling notices (see Labelling notices section below). Each labelling notice identifies, amongst other things, the types of devices covered, the applicable standards and the compliance level to determine the level of testing required.
A supplier (an Australian manufacturer or importer or their authorised Australian agent) must satisfy the requirements of the relevant labelling notices before devices are supplied in Australia. Under these regulatory arrangements, a supplier is required to ensure compliance with all applicable mandatory standards, label devices with a compliance label and maintain compliance documentation to be supplied to the ACMA on request.
These requirements extend to any person who is responsible for causing a device to be imported into, or initially supplied into, Australia, despite not having any ownership or possession of the device. For example, a third party who sells a device over the internet and arranges for it to be delivered from the manufacturer to the purchaser, is required to ensure the device complies with the applicable standards and the device is labelled in accordance with the relevant labelling notices.
Compliance labels
A compliance label applied to a device by the supplier, or on behalf of the supplier, indicates that all labelling notice requirements have been met and that compliance documentation is being held to demonstrate compliance with the relevant labelling notices and the applicable standards.
C-Tick compliance label
The C-Tick compliance label applied to electrical and electronic devices, or radiocommunications devices, indicates compliance with the relevant labelling notices (see Labelling notices section below) and applicable standards (see Relevant standards section below).
The C-Tick compliance label consists of:
- the C-Tick compliance mark; and
- the supplier identification.
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N####
Note: the C-Tick compliance label indicates that the device complies with applicable standards, and establishes a traceable link between the device and the supplier responsible for placing it on the market.
More information on A-Tick and C-Tick marks, including downloadable marks, is on the ACMA website.
A-Tick compliance label
The A-Tick compliance label applied to a telecommunications device indicates compliance with the Telecommunications Labelling Notice (see Labelling notices section below) and the applicable technical standards (see Relevant standards section below).
The A-Tick compliance label consists of:
- the A-Tick compliance mark; and
- the supplier identification.
For example:
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N####
Telecommunications devices will most likely be required to comply with other ACMA regulatory arrangements requiring labelling with the C-Tick mark. Where a device is subject to these other regulatory arrangements, there is no requirement to label a device with both the A-Tick compliance mark and the C-Tick compliance mark – the A-Tick is adequate for indicating compliance with all applicable regulatory arrangements.
Note: only a device bearing an A-Tick compliance label may be legally connected to a carrier’s network or facility in Australia. The
A-Tick compliance label indicates that the device complies with the applicable standards in the Telecommunications Labelling Notice, and establishes a traceable link between the device and the supplier responsible for placing it on the Australian market.
More information on A-Tick and C-Tick marks, including downloadable marks, is on the ACMA website.
Permission to use the A-Tick or C-Tick compliance marks
The A-Tick and C-Tick compliance marks are protected symbols. Therefore, for compliance labelling requirements, suppliers must obtain permission from the ACMA to use the compliance marks. Application forms are available on the ACMA website. There is no cost involved in seeking permission to use compliance marks.
The ACMA will only grant permission to use the compliance marks to Australian manufacturers or importers, or their authorised Australian agent. The ACMA then issues the applicant with a SCN prefixed by the letter ‘N’. Suppliers already registered to use the C-Tick are considered to be registered to use the A-Tick, and vice versa. However, suppliers should notify the ACMA of their intention to use each compliance mark.
More information on A-Tick and C-Tick marks, including downloadable marks, is on the ACMA website.
Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM)
The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is a trademark owned by Australian and New Zealand regulators. The RCM may be used as an alternative mark to the C-Tick, but is not an alternative to the A-Tick. The RCM alone cannot be used as a compliance mark for telecommunications devices but may be used in conjunction with the A-Tick mark if desired.
The RCM label consists of:
- the RCM; and
- the supplier identification.
For example:
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N####
If the RCM is used as an alternative to the C-Tick, the device must comply with all other applicable regulations, such as electrical safety, that are covered by the RCM standard AS/NZS 4417. There are various parts of this standard that specify the conditions for use of the RCM.
Suppliers who intend to use the RCM must register with Standards Australia. They must also notify the ACMA of their intention to use this trademark. The notification forms are available in the standard, More information about the RCM is available on the Standards Australia website.
Labelling notices
Labelling notices for the four sets of the ACMA’s regulatory arrangements are available on the ACMA website.
- EMC Labelling Notice – Radiocommunications Labelling (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Notice 2008
- Radiocommunications Labelling Notice – Radiocommunications Devices (Compliance Labelling) Notice 2003
- Telecommunications Labelling Notice – Telecommunications Labelling (Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Notice 2001
- EME Labelling Notice – Radiocommunications (Compliance Labelling – Electromagnetic Radiation) Labelling Notice 2003
Compliance and labelling booklets
Compliance and labelling booklets for the four sets of the ACMA’s regulatory arrangements are available on the ACMA website. The booklets should be read in conjunction with the relevant labelling notices. Printed copies are available on request.
The booklets are designed to assist suppliers in understanding their compliance and labelling obligations under the ACMA mandated compliance and labelling regimes.
Relevant standards
Mandatory standards are available on the ACMA website.
The standards in the EMC, radiocommunications and EME regulatory arrangements can be purchased from the SAI Global website.
Applicable AS/NZS technical standards identified in the Telecommunications Labelling Notice are available for purchase from the
SAI Global website.
The AS/CA SXXX and AS/ACIF SXXX series of the technical standards identified in the Telecommunications Labelling Notice may be downloaded free of charge from the Communications Alliance website.
Suppliers should note that not all technical standards published by Communications Alliance or Standards Australia have been made mandatory by the ACMA. Suppliers should refer to the information provided on the ACMA website.
More information
For more information about equipment compliance and labelling (A-Tick /C-Tick) may be obtained from the ACMA website, or alternatively you can contact the ACMA by email.
The ACMA has fact sheets on a range of topics.
Please note: this document is intended as a guide only and should not be relied on as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice in individual cases.
