Entering the Australian and New Zealand Market: RCM

RCM brings electrical safety, EMC and telecommunications requirements together under a single mark. Behind it lie several regulatory regimes.

The mark may be used only by a RESPONSIBLE SUPPLIER established in Australia or New Zealand and REGISTERED in the national database. A foreign manufacturer cannot use RCM directly.

• Test reports to the AS/NZS standards
• The declaration of conformity
• The compliance folder
• Responsible supplier registration details
• The justification for determining the risk level

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.

• Certification is mandatory for Level 3 products
• Compliance records are retained for a defined period and produced on request
• CE reports overlap but national deviations must be met separately
• For products within the scope of GEMS, energy registration is carried out separately

1. 01The mark and registrationThe mark is not a certificate; it is the visible face of the registration and the declaration. The mark cannot be used without registration.
2. 02The difference between risk classesFor high-risk categories third-party certification and registration are mandatory; for low-risk categories a supplier declaration may suffice.
3. 03The responsible supplier and the foreign manufacturerThe obligation rests with the party established in the country; a foreign manufacturer cannot sign the declaration or make the registration.
4. 04Regional standards and international standardsSupply network, plug-and-socket and climatic deviations are governed in national annexes; where an international report does not cover them, it is completed.

This page describes entry into the Australia / New Zealand market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.

This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.