AU Standards and Items for Australia RCM Mandatory Compliance Certification (2025 Update)

1️⃣ Introduction: What Is RCM Certification and Why It Matters

The RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is the mandatory compliance mark for products entering the Australian and New Zealand markets.
It represents conformity with electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and wireless spectrum regulations under the joint system managed by ACMA, ERAC, and EESS.

If your product is sold in Australia or New Zealand, RCM compliance is not optional — it is a legal prerequisite for importation, customs clearance, and retail sales.

2️⃣ Core Standards and Test Items for Australia RCM Certification (2025)

3️⃣ In-Depth Look at RCM Certification Test Items

 Safety Performance Testing

The foundation of RCM certification ensures the product is safe under both normal and fault conditions.

• Electrical Safety: Insulation resistance, creepage/clearance distances, and dielectric strength.

• Mechanical Structure: Strength, stability, and protection against moving parts or sharp edges.

• Fire & Thermal Protection: Tests material flammability, heat resistance, and accessible surface temperature.

Goal: Prevent electric shock, fire, or injury during normal use.

 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing

Ensures your product neither causes nor suffers from electromagnetic interference.

• Conducted Emission: Measures noise through power lines.

• Radiated Emission: Assesses RF interference through space.

• Immunity Testing: Simulates electrostatic discharge, surge, and fast transient events.

 Products must demonstrate both low emission and high immunity levels to pass RCM EMC testing.

 Radio Spectrum Compliance Testing

For wireless devices (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), RF testing is mandatory.

• Transmit Parameters: Verifies output power, bandwidth, and frequency accuracy.

• Spurious Emission: Ensures unwanted off-band signals remain within legal limits.

Failure to meet AS/NZS 4268 RF spectrum rules may lead to market recall or import refusal.

4️⃣ 2025 New Regulations & Key Compliance Updates

 1. Safety & EMC Standard Revisions

• AS/NZS 62368-1 has fully replaced AS/NZS 60950.1 — all new IT and AV equipment must be tested under the new standard.

• AS/NZS CISPR 32:2023 is now mandatory for all EMC testing from January 1, 2025.

  • Certificates issued under old standards remain valid only until December 31, 2025.

 2. Product-Specific Supplementary Requirements

• Direct Plug-in Adapters: Must meet AS/NZS 3112 for Australian plug configuration testing.

• LED Tubes: Due to direct user replacement risks, samples must be sent to Australia for safety review.

• Smartphones & Tablets: From 2025, newly added to mandatory registration scope — expect longer certification cycles.

 3. Simplified Marking & Local Responsibility Rules

• Unified RCM Mark: The new regulation eliminates the old C-Tick and A-Tick marks.

  • All products now display only the RCM logo, without supplier identification codes.

• Mandatory Local Responsible Party:

  • Overseas manufacturers must appoint an Australian local representative as the Responsible Supplier.

  • This party registers the product in the EESS database and assumes legal responsibility for market compliance.

 Without a registered local Responsible Supplier, even certified products cannot legally be sold in Australia.

5️⃣ Practical Reminders for Manufacturers in 2025

✅ Plan for New Standard Adoption:
Migrate existing AS/NZS 60950.1 and CISPR 22 reports to AS/NZS 62368-1 and CISPR 32:2023 as soon as possible.

✅ Integrate Compliance Early:
Design for both EMC and safety compliance from the prototype stage — it reduces re-testing and project delays.

✅ Work with Authorized Labs:
Choose RCM-accredited laboratories under the Australian National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to ensure global report acceptance.

✅ Maintain Compliance Records:
Keep all RCM documentation — test reports, supplier declarations, and registration records — for at least five years after production ends.

6️⃣ Key Takeaways for 2025

 Blue Asia Technology — Your RCM Compliance Partner

At Blue Asia Technology (Shenzhen), we help manufacturers accelerate access to Australia and New Zealand with one-stop RCM certification services.

Our expertise covers:

• Safety & EMC testing under AS/NZS standards

• RF performance verification for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi devices

• Local Responsible Supplier assistance

• Multi-market compliance consulting (RCM + CE + FCC)

king.guo@cblueasia.com
+86 135 3422 5140

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