Sellers entering Australia often assume the RCM is "roughly like CE." In fact RCM is not a single certification but a compliance mark that combines two separate regulatory regimes — electrical safety and EMC/radio — each with its own regulator, requirements and process. This article explains how RCM is structured, how risk levels work, the common standards, and cost/timeline reference ranges.
What RCM Is, and Who Regulates It
The RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a compliance mark recognised across Australia and New Zealand; its defining feature is that one mark represents several sets of regulatory requirements. For electrical and electronic products, two parts matter most:
- Electrical safety: managed by Australia's state and territory electrical safety regulators under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS); in New Zealand, regulators such as WorkSafe oversee it, with some requirements mutually recognised between the two countries
- EMC and radiocommunications: managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under the relevant communications regulations, covering electromagnetic compatibility, radio equipment, and telecommunications equipment labelling and compliance
A product with a power adapter and Bluetooth may therefore fall under both regimes, and must satisfy each before the RCM mark can be used legally.
EESS Electrical Safety: Three Risk Levels
EESS classifies electrical equipment into three risk levels with very different compliance paths:
- Level 3 (high risk): requires a certificate of conformity from a recognised assessment body and registration in the EESS database before sale — the strictest tier. Certain plug/socket and power-type products, for example, are generally placed in the higher levels
- Level 2 (medium risk): requires registration in the EESS database and retention of evidence of compliance (such as test reports), without necessarily mandating third-party certification
- Level 1 (low risk): requires the product to meet the relevant standards and compliance records to be kept — the lightest tier
Which level applies to a given product must be checked against the published EESS classification list; similar products can fall into different levels depending on voltage or construction, so confirm the level before planning the certification path.
Common Standards
- AS/NZS 62368.1: safety for audio/video, ICT equipment, aligned with IEC 62368-1 — the main basis for consumer electronics and chargers
- AS/NZS 60335.1 and part standards: household appliance safety, aligned with the IEC 60335 series
- AS/NZS 3112: approval and test requirements for Australian/New Zealand plugs — products with a power cord need a plug conforming to it
- AS/NZS CISPR 32: EMC emission standard for multimedia equipment, aligned with CISPR 32, used for ACMA EMC compliance
The Australian/NZ grid is 230V/50Hz and the plug format differs from European and US types. Even with identical internal circuitry, exported products need a plug and cord that meet Australian/NZ requirements — a point many sellers overlook.
ACMA: Supplier Registration and Compliance Records
Unlike EESS, the ACMA regime emphasises supplier responsibility: the supplier placing a product on the Australian market (manufacturer, importer or authorised representative) must complete supplier registration, keep compliance records such as the declaration of conformity and test reports, and apply the RCM mark correctly. EMC compliance generally requires a test report to the relevant standard (such as AS/NZS CISPR 32); products with wireless functions (Bluetooth, WiFi) must also meet applicable radio compliance requirements and labelling rules. Because the responsible party is the supplier, overseas manufacturers often appoint a local authorised representative or importer to handle registration and record keeping.
A Typical Scenario
A 30W charger with Bluetooth exported to Australia: on electrical safety, the charger is a power-type product and needs a safety assessment to AS/NZS 62368.1, with the EESS level determining whether a third-party certificate and database registration are required; on EMC, an EMC test report to AS/NZS CISPR 32 is needed; the Bluetooth portion must meet radio compliance requirements; finally the supplier completes ACMA registration and applies the RCM mark. Having only CE or FCC testing doesn't let you skip any of these steps, though existing test data can serve as reference and shorten the assessment.
Cost and Timeline Reference (for budget planning only, not a quote)
- EMC testing (AS/NZS CISPR 32): typically about 1-2 weeks
- Safety testing and documentation for Level 1/2 products: typically about 2-4 weeks
- Level 3 products requiring a third-party certificate and database registration: typically about 4-8 weeks, depending on assessment body scheduling and product complexity
- Products with wireless functions need additional time for radio compliance assessment and label review on top of the above
Actual pricing depends on product category, number of applicable standards and whether IEC/EN test data already exists — send the product details for a tailored plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: With CE certification, can I just apply the RCM mark? A: No. RCM must satisfy the Australian/NZ regulatory regime and CE cannot substitute for it. CE-related test reports (such as EN 62368-1 and EN 55032) can serve as reference — after assessing the differences and adding the necessary items, this is usually faster than starting from scratch.
Q: If I only sell in New Zealand, do I need RCM? A: New Zealand has its own safety requirements for certain electrical products, and the two countries have mutual recognition arrangements. Refer to the New Zealand regulators' latest rules and confirm before shipping.
Q: Does Amazon Australia require RCM? A: The platform generally expects electrical products to comply with local regulations and may ask for compliance documents during review, subject to its category policy at the time.
If your product is headed for Australia or New Zealand, send us its category, voltage parameters, whether it has wireless functions and any existing CE/FCC test data — we'll help determine its EESS level and ACMA requirements and give you a specific test plan and cost/timeline estimate.