A/C-Tick is a certification mark issued by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA in short) for communications equipment. Manufacturers and importers must follow the following steps in the use of A/C-Tick:

1. The product shall be implemented with testing as per ACAQ technical standards

2.Register with ACA to use A/C-Tick

3.Fill out the Declaration of Conformity Form, and file the form together with products compliance records

C-Tick certification

      4.Affix an A/C-Tick label on communication products or equipment

      5.A-Tick is only applicable to communication products sold to consumers, and most electronic products apply for C-Tick. However, if electronic product apply for A-Tick, it is not necessary to apply for additional C-Tick. Since November 2001, application of Australian/New Zealand EMI are merged; if products are to be sold in the two countries, the following documents must be prepared before marketing for random spot-checks by ACA (Australian Communications Authority) or Ministry of Economic Development of New Zealand.

Spot check items

1. Test reports - to be valid, they must be issued by an NATA or NATA mutual recognition institution compliant accredited laboratory, such as an NVLAP or A2LA, otherwise the probability of sample submission is very high.

2. The Application to use the C-tick Mark Form must be signed by Australian/New Zealand companies or importers.

      3. The Supplier's Declaration of Conformity Form must be signed by Australian/New Zealand companies or importers. The signing companies shall be responsible for ensuring that the products sold comply with EMI regulations.

      4. Original design drawings and specifications (e.g. circuit diagram, square diagram, User's Manual, Service Manual, etc.). 

      5. Describe the production inspection procedures at the time of production to ensure the maintenance of EMI characteristics.

      6. Descriptions of any changes that may affect EMI and the necessary test records.

Certification cycle

C-Tick certification cycle: 1-2 weeks

Certification levels

The Australian EMC system divides products into three levels. Suppliers must register with ACA to apply for the C-Tick mark before selling level 2 and level 3 products.

Level 1 products are those with low interference radiation to wireless spectrum devices, such as manual switches, simple relays, one-way squirrel cage inductors, resistors, etc. For level 1 products, supplier must sign a conformity statement and provide a product description. For level 1 products, the supplier may voluntarily apply for a C-Tick mark, however, after the supplier choose to use the mark, it must provide a conformity record along with a conformity statement and product description to prove that the product described in the statement has met the relevant EMC standards. The test site is not specified and internal testing is allowed.

Level 2 products refer to those with high interference radiation to wireless spectrum devices, such as switching power supplies, welding machines, dimmers, most household appliances, etc. In addition to the conformity statement and product description, the supplier must also provide the test report according to the relevant standards. If there are no relevant standards, the technical structure document is required. The test site is not specified and internal testing is allowed.

Level 3 products refer to products with very high interference radiation to wireless spectrum devices, namely products jointly covered by CISPR11 and CISPR22. Communication terminal products are still included in this level, but as of November 7, 2003, terminal products will be classified into level 2 products. In addition to signing a conformity statement and providing a product description, the supplier must also provide a test report issued by an approved testing organization. At the same time, the quality management system certificate issued by the QSM certification body shall be provided.

4. Certification mark

The mark

The C-Tick mark must be labeled with the Australian supplier information as required so that ACA can effectively trace the product to the supplier responsible for the EMC of the product when taking samples on the market. The identification information shall include four aspects:

1. The registered name and address of the Australian supplier.
2. Australian Company Number

3. The number issued to the Australian supplier by ACA.
4. An Australian registered trademark for the product used in the Australian market.

Sequence tag

Radiocommunication equipment or special electrical and electronic equipment must comply with The relevant labeling requirements or cannot be sold or supplied to Australia.

The C-tick is a sequence tag. It applies to the items covered by the following label notices.

1. Radio communication (sequence tag attached) Label notice 2001 to briefly explain conformity to EMC adjusted arrangements

2. Radio equipment (sequence tag) Bulletin No. 1, 1996 to briefly explain conformity to the arrangement of the adjustment of radio communication

3. Radio communication (sequence tag-electromagnetic radiation) Label notice 2003 to briefly explain conformity to EMR adjusted arrangements

Under the EMC adjusted arrangements, before the products arrive at Australia, they must be labelled with sequence labels. It is also a sequence tag for non-radiocommunication products that must comply with the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) rules.

For telecommunication products, EMR is overwritten with the A-Tick sequence labels.

The sequence labels on C-Tick must have vendor information that identifies the vendor. This information may take the vendor code issued by ACA, or the Australian company code, or other forms detailed in the relevant tag notices. More information on using the C-Tick mark is available on the ACA website.

5.Scope of products 

According to the list of electromagnetic compatibility products issued by the government in 2001, the main products involved are:

● Industrial, scientific and technological, medical (ISM) equipment, audio-visual equipment;

● Household electrical equipment;

●Electric tools and heating appliances;

● Lighting and similar equipment;

● Information technology equipment.

The exempted products are:

● Devices manufactured outside Australia and not intended for importation into Australia for sale; 

● Devices imported from New Zealand and sold in Australia that have met the relevant New Zealand regulations;

● Products that are not in the scope of the application. 

• 上一篇：ETL Certification
• 下一篇：Other laws and regulations