Product compliance for Australia and New Zealand
Electrical safety under the EESS and EMC, EMR and radio compliance under the ACMA rules, managed as one project and finished with the RCM on your product.
The compliance path for your product
Most products fall under more than one set of rules. Electrical safety and EMC are the two that people know, but batteries, vehicle parts, connected devices, packaging and lithium battery transport each bring their own requirements, and each one that applies is essential. We map all of them at the start, so nothing is discovered late.
- Electrical safetyEESS
- EMC, EMR and radioACMA
- Product-specific rulesEach one that applies to your product
- AUAustralian marketThe full set for your product
Product-specific rules we cover
- Battery safetyLithium, button and coin cell batteries
- Vehicle rulesAustralian Design Rules (ADRs)
- Lithium battery transportUN 38.3 testing and shipping requirements
- Cyber securitySmart device security standards under the Cyber Security Act
- PackagingAPCO obligations and the Australasian Recycling Label
- Energy efficiencyMinimum energy performance standards
Electrical safety (EESS)
The Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) sets the safety requirements for mains-powered electrical equipment sold in Australia. What you need depends on the risk level of the product. We manage the full process, from identifying the standards through to registration.
- Level 1: lower riskEvidence of compliance held by the supplier. Registering the equipment is voluntary
- Level 2: medium riskEquipment must be registered, with a compliance folder containing test reports
- Level 3: high riskEquipment must be registered, with a Certificate of Conformity from a recognised certifier
In the states and territories that apply the EESS, the Responsible Supplier must be registered and the product must carry the RCM at every level.
Standards and risk level
We confirm which AS/NZS standards apply and whether your product is Level 1, 2 or 3 equipment, which determines the evidence you need.
Safety testing
We coordinate testing with accredited laboratories to the applicable AS/NZS standards, including the Australian and New Zealand deviations.
Certificate applications
We prepare and manage your application with a recognised certifier for a Certificate of Conformity, Certificate of Approval or Certificate of Suitability.
EESS registration
Responsible Supplier and equipment registration on the national EESS database, including renewals.
Gap analysis and top-up testing
Where existing IEC or EN test reports fall short of current AS/NZS requirements, we identify the gaps and arrange only the extra testing needed.
Lithium and button batteries
Advice on lithium battery safety and transport testing, and on the Australian mandatory standards for products containing button or coin batteries.
What is included
- Applicable standards and EESS level assessment
- Review of existing test reports
- Gap analysis reports
- Coordination of laboratories and certifiers
- Certificate of Conformity, Approval and Suitability applications
- Certificate renewal, modification and extension
- EESS equipment registration and renewals
- Responsible Supplier registration
- RCM marking and labelling review to AS/NZS 4417
- Advice on importing and selling electrical goods
EMC, EMR and radio (ACMA)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulates electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic radiation and radio equipment. Most electrical and electronic products must meet these rules before they can carry the RCM.
- Applicable rulesEMC, radio and EMR, by product type
- TestingEvidence that the product complies
- Declaration and recordsDeclaration of conformity and compliance records
- Supplier registrationAs a responsible supplier on the national database
- RCMRCMMarked on the product
Applicable standards
We identify the EMC, EMR and radiocommunications standards the ACMA requires for your product category and intended use.
Wireless products
Compliance for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular and short-range devices, including low interference potential devices (LIPD).
Test coordination
We arrange EMC and RF testing with accredited laboratories and review the results before they go into your compliance file.
Declarations of conformity
We prepare the supplier declaration of conformity and supporting compliance records ready for your signature.
Labelling
We check that the RCM is applied correctly on the product, and that any other required markings and statements are in place on the packaging and documentation.
Human exposure (EMR)
For transmitting products, we confirm compliance with the Australian limits for human exposure to radiofrequency energy.
Using European reports. Australia accepts many EN, IEC and CISPR standards as evidence of EMC compliance. We assess your existing reports and tell you whether they can be used as they are or need top-up testing.
Bluetooth qualification and listing
Every product that uses Bluetooth technology must complete the Bluetooth Qualification Process with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) on or before the date it goes on sale, in every country. This is a licensing requirement that sits alongside the radio approvals for each market, and it applies even when the product is built on a pre-qualified module.
Membership and account
Qualification must be completed under your own company's Bluetooth SIG membership. A module or chip supplier cannot do it for you. We help you choose the membership level and set up the account.
Qualification path
We work out whether your product can reference an existing qualified design from your chip or module supplier, or whether it is a new design that needs testing.
Testing
Where the SIG's test plan calls for it, we coordinate Bluetooth qualification testing with a recognised test facility and review the reports before they are submitted.
Submission and listing
We prepare the submission in the SIG's Qualification Workspace, covering product names, model numbers, design details and test evidence, through to SIG approval and the product listing.
Product ranges and changes
Adding new models to an existing listing, and reassessing qualification when the Bluetooth design, module or software stack changes.
Use of the Bluetooth marks
Review of how the Bluetooth name and logos appear on the product, packaging and marketing against the SIG's brand requirements.
Allow for the SIG fee. The Bluetooth SIG charges a product qualification fee the first time a design is listed, and the amount depends on your membership level. Products that have not been qualified can be held by customs and are subject to enforcement action by the SIG.
New Zealand
New Zealand shares the AS/NZS standards and recognises the RCM, but it has its own electrical safety regulator (WorkSafe through Energy Safety) and its own radio regulator (Radio Spectrum Management). We confirm the New Zealand requirements for your product alongside the Australian ones, so a single project covers both countries.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a CE mark in Australia?
No. CE marking is not recognised in Australia. Australian standards are closely aligned with European ones, so your existing test reports are often useful, but the product must comply with the Australian requirements and carry the RCM.
How do I know which EESS level my product falls under?
The EESS sorts equipment into three levels by risk. Level 1 is the lowest risk. Level 2 requires a compliance folder with test reports. Level 3 requires a Certificate of Conformity from a recognised certifier. We confirm the level for your product at the start.
What is top-up testing?
Top-up testing covers the differences between an existing test report and the current AS/NZS standard. We identify the gaps and arrange only the additional tests required.
Do I need a Certificate of Suitability?
It is not mandatory, but a growing number of major retailers ask for one before they will range a product. We can manage the application for you.
What happens if my certificate expires?
Level 3 equipment cannot legally be sold without a current certificate. We can assess the status of your product and manage the renewal or a new application. Allow plenty of time before the expiry date, because the standard may have changed since the certificate was issued and top-up or new testing may be needed before it can be renewed.
How do I show that my product is EMC compliant?
You need a test report to the applicable standard, a signed declaration of conformity, a compliance record and the RCM on the product. We manage all of these for you.
What does LIPD mean?
Low interference potential devices are low-power transmitters such as remote controls, wireless accessories and many IoT devices. They are covered by an ACMA class licence with specific technical limits. We confirm whether your product qualifies.
Selling into Australia or New Zealand?
Send us a short description of the product and the markets you want to sell in. We will reply within one business day with the compliance pathway and next steps.