The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is proposing replacing the C-Tick (ITE & radio products) and A-Tick (telephony products) marks with a single Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM), effective July 1, 2012.  The RCM would cover telecommunications, radiocommunications, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and electromagnetic energy (EME).

This change is being pursued for a couple reasons:

• Single devices are increasingly subject to overlapping technical regulatory requirements, making compliance more difficult for some manufacturers
• A simplified system will reduce complexity and cost for manufacturers and regulatory agencies

Pictured here is the RCM, which is already recognized as an alternative to the C-Tick, and is administered by Standards Australia.  See the C-Tick and A-Tick marks, as well as popular testing standards such as AS/NZS CISPR 22, on the MET Labs site.

The A-tick and C-tick will be phased out over a period of three years. Devices already labeled with the A-Tick or C-Tick at the end of the transition period will not be required to be relabeled.

The New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development (MED) supports a consolidated compliance mark and plans to amend its labeling requirements over the coming months to accommodate the RCM.  The RCM will not be a recognized mark in New Zealand for telecommunications, as per the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.

This labeling change is subject to final approval.  ACMA is seeking public comment through August 12, 2011.