What is the Australian C-Tick?

C-tick certification concept 

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

  1. The product performs ACAQ technical standard testing  

  2. Register with ACA to use A/C-Tick  

  3. Fillout the Declaration of Conformity Form and keep it together with the product compliance records.    

C-tick certification 

4. Put a label with A/C-Tick mark on the communication product or equipment 5. Sell it to consumers A-Tick is only applicable to communication products, and most electronic products apply for C-Tick. However, if electronic products apply for A-Tick, they do not need to apply for C-Tick separately. Since November 2001, the EMI applications of Australia and New Zealand have been merged; if the product is to be sold in these two countries, the following documents must be prepared before marketing in case of random inspection by ACA (Australian Communications Authority) or New Zealand (Ministry of Economic Development) authorities at any time. Inspection items 

  1. Test report - must be issued by NATA or a certification body that has mutual concessions with NATA, such as NVLAP or A2LA accredited laboratories to be valid, otherwise the probability of requiring sample testing is very high. 2. "Application to use the C-tick Mark" Form - must be signed by the Australian/New Zealand company or importer.  

  3. "Supplier's Declaration of Conformity" Form - must be signed by the Australian/New Zealand company or importer. The manufacturer who signs the declaration is responsible for ensuring that the products sold still comply with EMI regulations.  

  4. Original design drawings and specifications (such as circuit diagrams, block diagrams, User's Manual and Service Manual, etc.).  

  5. Describe the production inspection procedures during manufacturing to ensure that EMI characteristics are maintained. 6. Describe any changes that may affect EMI and necessary test records.   

C-tick certification cycle: 

1-2 weeks C-tick certification for three levels of products 

  Australia's EMC system divides products into three levels. Before selling level two and level three products, suppliers must register with ACA and apply to use the C-Tick mark.  

  Level 1 products refer to products with low interference radiation to devices using wireless spectrum, such as manual switches, simple relays, one-way squirrel cage inductors, resistors, etc. For level 1 products, suppliers must sign a declaration of conformity and provide a product description. Level 1 products can voluntarily apply for the C-Tick mark, but after choosing to use the mark, suppliers must provide a declaration of conformity and a product description, as well as a compliance record to prove that the product described in the statement has complied with the relevant EMC standards. There is no requirement for the test location, and internal testing is allowed.  

  Level II products refer to products that have high interference radiation to devices using the wireless spectrum, such as switching power supplies, electric welders, dimmers, and most household appliances. In addition to signing a declaration of conformity and providing a product description, suppliers must also provide test reports based on relevant standards. If there are no relevant standards, technical structure documents are required. There is no requirement for the test location, and internal testing is allowed.  

  Level 3 products refer to products that have extremely high interference radiation to devices using the wireless spectrum, that is, products covered by CISPR11 and CISPR22. At present, communication terminal products are still included in this scope, but from November 7, 2003, terminal products will be classified as Level 2 products. In addition to signing a declaration of conformity and providing a product description, suppliers must also provide a test report issued by an approved testing agency. At the same time, a quality management system certificate issued by a QSM certification body must also be issued. C-Tick mark C-Tick mark 

  The C-Tick logo must be marked with the information of the Australian supplier in accordance with regulations, so that ACA can effectively trace back to the supplier responsible for the EMC of the product when sampling products in the market. The information identification includes four aspects:  

  1. The registered name and address of the Australian supplier.  

  2. Australian Company Number 3. A number issued by ACA to Australian suppliers.  

  4. Australian registered trademarks used by products in the Australian market. C-Tick Sequential Label 

  Radio communication equipment or special electrical and electronic equipment must comply with the relevant labeling requirements, otherwise they cannot be sold or supplied to Australia.  

   The C-Tick is a sequential label that applies to the material items covered by the following label notices.  

  1. Radiocommunication (Sequential Labelling with Emissions) Notice 2001 Brief description of arrangements for EMC compliance  

  2. Radio Equipment (Order Label) Notice No. 1 1996 to briefly describe the arrangements for compliance with the regulation of radio communications  

  3. Radiocommunications (Code Labelling - Electromagnetic Radiation) Notice 2003 Brief Description Subject to EMR Adjustment Arrangement  

  Under the EMC Regulation, a sequential label must be affixed to a product before it is supplied to Australia. It is also a sequential label for non-radio communication products that must comply with the Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) regulations.  

  For telecommunication products, EMR is covered by the A-Tick sequential label.  

  The C-Tick sequence label must have supplier information that can identify the supplier. This information may take the form of a supplier code issued by ACA, an Australian company number, or other forms detailed in the relevant label notice. More information about using the C-Tick mark can be obtained on the ACA website.

Introduction to A-Tick Certification

A-Tick is a certification mark issued by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) for telecommunications equipment.

While SAA certification controls safety standards, C-Tick certification regulates EMC and radio products, and A-Tick certification governs telecommunications products. The RCM logo, introduced in 2013, is obtained after a product has been certified for safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and registered. As of March 1, 2016, electronic and electrical products sold must start using the RCM logo uniformly; A-Tick and C-Tick logos will be replaced. RCM can be understood as a registration system, encompassing SAA and C-Tick.

In summary, C-Tick certification is an important product safety certification that helps manufacturers and exporters ensure their products comply with the stringent requirements of Australia and New Zealand, successfully entering both markets.