Access to the Australia and New Zealand Market

The RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) combines electrical safety, EMC and telecommunications requirements under a single mark. The distinguishing feature of the regime is that only a responsible supplier resident in Australia or New Zealand and registered in the national database can use the mark; a foreign manufacturer cannot use RCM directly.

• Foreign test reports are accepted; the laboratory is required to be accredited and the report to cover the deviations of the regional standard.
• A CB Scheme report markedly reduces test repetition; the national differences section is met separately.
• Registration and declaration are done by the responsible supplier established in the country; no report substitutes for that obligation.
• Radio requirements are tied to the regional frequency arrangement; a radio approval from another market is not directly valid.
• National annexes relating to the supply network and the plug-and-socket arrangement enter the test plan separately.

• RCM is a single mark, but multiple regulatory regimes stand behind it
• Electrical products are divided into three levels by risk (Level 1, 2, 3)
• Certification is mandatory for Level 3 products
• Only a locally registered responsible supplier can use the mark
• Compliance records (compliance folder) must be kept and made available on request
• The mains supply is 230 V, 50 Hz; AS/NZS standards are IEC-based but have national deviations

Having a RESPONSIBLE SUPPLIER resident in Australia or New Zealand is mandatory: this party registers in the national database, obtains the right to use the RCM mark, and keeps compliance records. As a foreign manufacturer, you provide the testing and documentation; registration and legal responsibility rest with the local supplier.

• RCM

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• The RCM mark appears on the product or its packaging
• The responsible supplier's registration information must be verifiable
• Compliance records (test reports, declaration) are retained for a specified period
• An English-language user manual is required
• GEMS registration and labelling additionally apply to products within the scope of energy efficiency

• Attempting to use RCM without determining a local responsible supplier
• Assuming CE test reports will be accepted directly; national deviations must be met
• Incorrectly determining the product's risk level
• Not keeping compliance records
• Skipping energy registration for products within GEMS scope