Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) and the intent behind an Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)

It is a common misconception that Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) compliance means that a product is certified for supply on the Australian market, and that once the RCM label is applied, any Australian importer intending to supply the product can do so without taking any further actions or considerations.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has rules that require the adherence of Australian importers supplying electrical, telecommunications and radiocommunications products on the Australian market.

One of these rules is that the Australian supplier must declare compliance with the relevant mandatory Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards that apply to their product. This is achieved by gathering all the relevant test reports required, ensuring they meet the relevant technical standard(s)/ requirements and declaring compliance with an ACMA Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), which is held on their compliance folder.

The importer may choose to appoint an agent to review their reports, sign the SDoC and manage the compliance folder on their behalf. They do this by entering into an agency agreement with the agent, who is knowledgeable and qualified to understand the rules and technical aspects of the reports. Comtest is an agent suitably qualified to undertake this work.

It is important to note that a different Australian supplier wanting to import the same product is also obligated to adhere to the regulations; they must follow the same procedure before they can supply that very same product. Alternatively, they may enter into an agency agreement with an existing importer who is already supplying that product.

Apart from the ACMA requirements, there are other rules relating to certification of declared electrical items, also known as in-scope Level 2 & 3 items. For more information contact Comtest to discuss regulatory compliance, the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) and Declaration of Conformity (SDoC).