EMC regulation in Australia and New Zealand: ACMA and the RCM
How the ACMA regulates EMC in Australia through supplier registration, the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) and record keeping, and how New Zealand relates to it.
In Australia, EMC of electrical and electronic products is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) through its EMC regulatory arrangements, made under the radiocommunications legislation.
What the supplier must do
- Assess whether the product is covered by the arrangements, before supplying it to the Australian market.
- Register as a responsible supplier on the national database (the EESS registration database is shared by ACMA and the electrical-safety regulators; registration for ACMA purposes only is possible).
- Apply the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), a mark jointly owned by the ACMA and the electrical-safety regulators.
- Keep records that show the product meets the applicable standards.
Standards
The standards used are mainly the Australian/New Zealand versions of CISPR documents (AS/NZS CISPR series), plus the relevant sector standards.
Immunity
The ACMA arrangements concentrate on emissions; immunity is not a general requirement for most products.
New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand cooperate on standards (the AS/NZS series). For New Zealand-specific supply rules and the recognition of the RCM, check the New Zealand radio-spectrum authority.
Review of the arrangements
The ACMA reviewed its EMC regulatory arrangements in recent years, so the rules can change: check the ACMA pages for the current requirements.
Where to check
The EESS and ACMA websites publish the requirements for the RCM and the supplier-registration process.