ACMA Regulatory
Compliance Scheme

The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is the National Authority in Australia. They are an independent Commonwealth statutory authority. They are responsible for regulating telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications and the internet.

All electrical and electronic radio equipment intended to be introduced into the Australian market has to comply with ACMA regulations.

They all must meet the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021

Each Labelling Notice defines its Risk Levels depending on product type and based on the following scale:

Compliance Level 1: Low-risk device

Compliance Level 2: Medium-risk device / Non-high risk standard

Compliance Level 3: High-risk device / High-risk standard

The requirements for in-country testing will depend on the Risk level of the specific product for each applicable Labelling Notice. Applicants shall provide an in-country representative/Importer which shall be registered in the ACMA database.

ACMA labelling requirements

The final step to product compliance involves labelling the product. The ACMA regulatory arrangements require a supplier to apply a compliance label to a product before the product is marketed in Australia.

A compliance label is a durable and legible label that indicates the product complies with the applicable standard/s. For all ACMA regulatory arrangements, the compliance label is the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM).

•       The label must be legible and visible to the unaided eye.
•       The label may be in any colour, as long as it is visible. This might be through contrast with the background colour or marking in relief (for example, moulding or engraving).
•       The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) must be no smaller than 3 millimetres in height.
•       The label should be a permanent feature on your product.
•       You must apply the label to a surface of your product that is easily accessible.
•       You can apply the label by any suitable means (for example, printing, painting, moulding, etching or engraving).
•       The label should be durable, meaning not likely to fall off, be washed off or fade.

If a product has a built-in display, you may show it electronically rather than on the surface of your product. (Displays that connect to the product, but are external, are not built-in.)

Your product instructions for the consumer must explain how they can view the electronic label. For example:

•       during the product’s power up sequence
•       under the product’s system information page
•       under the product’s help menu

If it is not practical to apply a label to the surface of your product (and you do not show it using a built-in electronic display), apply the label to both the:

•       surface of your product packaging
•       product documents (such as instructions or warranties) for the consumer