Australia RCM mark: EESS electrical safety and ACMA rules for suppliers

EESS: the responsible supplier

The EESS covers equipment rated above 50 V AC RMS or 120 V ripple-free DC and below 1000 V AC RMS or 1500 V ripple-free DC that is designed or marketed for household, personal or similar use, whatever its commercial or industrial intent. If the regulator says a product is in scope, that stands unless the responsible supplier proves otherwise.

The responsible supplier is the person or legal entity that manufactures in-scope equipment in Australia or New Zealand or imports it there. To register on the EESS Registration Database it must be an Australian or New Zealand legal entity with an ABN or IRD number. It must register before selling any in-scope equipment, make a Responsible Supplier Declaration that the equipment is electrically safe and meets the relevant standards, and mark it with the RCM. The EESS Platform replaced the old database on 14 October 2024.

EESS risk levels

• Level 3 (high risk): evidence of compliance with the relevant standard and a Certificate of Conformity, which is mandatory; the equipment must be registered.
• Level 2 (medium risk): evidence of compliance and a Compliance Folder; the equipment must be registered.
• Level 1 (low risk): evidence of compliance; registration is optional but recommended.
• Second suppliers, such as wholesalers, retailers and online sellers, must buy from a registered responsible supplier, check that Level 2 and Level 3 equipment is registered and check the RCM.

ACMA rules and RCM labelling

For ACMA, a supplier is a manufacturer, importer or agent in Australia. Before supplying, it must check the rules, show the product complies, sign and keep records, register as a responsible supplier and label the product with the RCM. An agent can arrange testing, sign a declaration of conformity, keep records and register the supplier under a written agreement, but the supplier may remain responsible. Overseas marks such as CE or FCC do not show compliance with Australian rules, although international test reports may sometimes be used.

The RCM must be legible, at least 3 mm high, permanent and on an easily accessible surface. A QR code linking to a page that prominently displays the RCM, or an electronic label on a built-in display, can be used. If the product surface cannot be labelled, label the packaging, covering more than 1% of its surface, and the consumer documents, and keep a record of why. Products labelled with the A-Tick or C-Tick before 1 March 2016 can be supplied until the stock runs out.