RCM Compliance for the Australian and New Zealand market is truly underway. If you didn’t already hear about the changes from C-Tick and A-Tick then spare two minutes and watch our video! View our RCM testing, compliance, certification and approvals quick help video.
RCM scheme for Australia and New Zealand overview
The RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is replacing C-tick and A-tick which are going to be phased out by March 2016. Other changes include the new Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC). And Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) which both use the RCM.
EMC Bayswater can help you with any queries that you may have about the Regulatory Compliance Mark. We are NATA accredited and perform EMC testing to perform many RCM tests and also RCM wireless radio communications testing.
A new product labelling and supplier database system (ACMA supplier database) commenced in March 2013. The existing C-Tick and A-tick compliance marks will be phased out by March 2016. To be consolidated with one single compliance mark, known as the RCM or Regulatory Compliance Mark.
The new Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) & Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS), commenced on the same date. This system also uses the RCM. The result of these regulatory changes from the ACMA and ERAC is that the RCM will indicate a product’s compliance. Compliance with all applicable Australian regulatory requirements, namely the following 5 key elements:
- Telecommunications
- Radiocommunications
- EMC
- EME/EMR
- Electrical safety
Suppliers must register on a new national database (ACMA supplier database). There is no longer a requirement to include supplier identification on product labelling.
ACMA arrangements
Arrangements apply to new suppliers (not registered on the existing ACMA supplier database). New suppliers must register on the new database and label products with the RCM to indicate compliance with applicable.
ACMA requirements
• From the 1st March 2016, the arrangements will apply to all suppliers. Current suppliers (registered on the existing ACMA database) have three years to register on the new database and implement the RCM labelling.
During the transitional period, the following also applies:
• Existing suppliers can continue to use the C-Tick or A-Tick marks. But will require transferring at some stage prior to March 2016 to the new ACMA supplier database.
• Products do not require re-labelling, existing marks are acceptable for labelling and supply
The new system does not affect testing, record-keeping and evidential requirements as set out in the relevant labelling notices.
ACMA provided a pdf called the “RCM Registration Applicant Guide” which is a very useful document to help with the registration process.
An example completed RCM Declaration of Conformity can be found here. Which is a made-up declaration using the ACMA supplied and available downloadable RCM Declaration of Conformity form.
ERAC arrangements
The RCM is the only compliance mark for products within the scope of the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).
• New suppliers must register on the new database and label applicable products with the RCM
• The arrangements will apply to all suppliers after a six-month transition.
Further information about the EESS is available from www.erac.gov.au
