Step 2: show your product complies

• What products need testing?
• How to test your product
• Testers
• Mutual recognition arrangements
• Conformity assessment bodies
• APECTEL MRA Technical regulations for Australia

What products need testing?

Most products need testing to show they comply with our rules.

We assess the risk of supplying products that do not comply with our rules.

Your labelling notice sets out the risk level for your product.

Generally it is true that for a:

• low or medium-risk product (levels 1 and 2), you can use a testing body
• high-risk product (level 3), you must use an accredited testing body

Check your labelling notice for whether your product needs testing.

You do not have to test certain low-risk products.

Even if you do not have to test your product, make sure it complies with our rules. Keep documents that show your product complies. For example: documents from the manufacturer that describe your product's performance.

How to test your product

To test your product, arrange a time with a tester.

You can expect to pay a fee for testing your product.

Check your labelling notice for whether to contact a:

• testing body
• accredited testing body

A tester will give you a test report with the results.

If you want to export your product to another country, check whether a mutual recognition arrangement applies to your situation.

Testers

A tester tests your product to check whether it complies with our rules.

Check your labelling notice for what type of tester to use.

It is up to you to find and choose a tester. We cannot recommend one to you. 

Mutual recognition arrangements

There are mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) between Australia and certain countries.

The countries agree to accept test reports and certificates from conformity assessment bodies (CABs).

This means you can test your product just once before exporting it.

MRAs that might apply to your situation include the:

• Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications Working Group Mutual Recognition Arrangement (APECTEL MRA) between Australia and Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperationcountries
• Australia–Singapore Mutual Recognition Agreement on Conformity Assessment (Singapore-MRA) between Australia and Singapore
• Chinese Taipei Electromagnetic Energy Mutual Recognition Arrangement (EME MRA) between Australia and Chinese Taipei
• European Community Mutual Recognition Agreement (EC-MRA) between Australia and Europe
• European Economic Area (EEA) European Free Trade Association MRA (EFTA MRA) between Australia and EEAcountries, plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway
• Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA) between Australia and New Zealand

If an MRA applies to your situation, contact a CAB to test your product.

Conformity assessment bodies

Conformity assessment bodies (CABs) are accredited testing bodies for Australia and countries with a mutual recognition arrangement (MRA).

We have a list of CABS under the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications Working Group Mutual Recognition Arrangement (APECTEL MRA).

CABs must be accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities(NATA) or a NATA MRA partner.

CABs under the APECTEL MRA

APECTEL MRA Technical regulations for Australia

Technical regulations on equipment are set by us on behalf of Australia under Phase I of the APECTEL MRA on Conformity Assessment.

Australia does not participate in Phase II of the APECTEL MRA and we don't require certification or approval under its regulatory arrangements.

Telecommunications

Our technical requirements for telecommunications customer equipment and customer cabling are listed on the Telecommunications standards page

Radiocommunications

Our technical requirements for radiocommunications devices are listed on the Radiocommunications standards page

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Our recognition of conformity assessment bodies for the purposes of EMC under the APECTEL MRA only extends to bodies testing to EMC standards that are directly relevant to telecommunications equipment and appear in the list of ACMA-mandated EMC standards. 

Currently the relevant recognised standards are those mandated standards listed at Serial 3, Serial 7 and Serial 54 on Part 2 of the EMC standards page

Important Notes:

(1) Manufacturers and importers must use accredited test reports for equipment deemed by AS/NZS CISPR 11 to be ISM Group 2 supplied into Australia. This is the only standard for which there are accredited testing requirements under our EMC regulatory arrangements.

(2) The 900 MHz ISM band within Australia is 915–928 MHz. 900 MHz ISM devices working outside of this range cannot be operated in Australia (that is, ISM devices that use the frequencies 902–915 MHz are not authorised for use within Australia).    

(3) Using the frequency range 902–915 MHz would interfere with Australian mobile telephone networks. Severe criminal penalties, including fines of up to $255,000, exist under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 for interfering with radiocommunications services.

Electromagnetic Energy (EME)

Our technical requirements for EME for telecommunications equipment as specified in the APECTEL MRA include certain mobile and portable radiocommunications transmitters supplied with an integral antenna. These devices must operate on a frequency between 100 kHz and 300 GHz.

Equipment must comply with the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation - Human Exposure) Standard 2014(the Human Exposure Standard). Testing must be conducted in accordance with the methodologies prescribed in the Human Exposure Standard and the limits defined by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) in the Radiation Protection Standard for Maximum Exposure Levels to Radiofrequency Fields – 3kHz to 300 GHz (2002)(the ARPANSA Standard).