1. Certification Introduction

The A/C-Tick is a certification mark issued by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) for communication equipment. Among them, the C-Tick certification applies to electromagnetic compatibility and radio equipment, with mandatory requirements only for EMC interference and RF parameter testing, while the A-Tick certification applies to telecommunications equipment.

2. Mark

Next to the C-Tick mark, the Australian supplier's information must be indicated as required, so that the ACA can effectively trace the supplier responsible for the product's EMC during market inspections. The information includes four aspects:

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

(2) Australian Company Number (ACN).

(3) The number issued by the ACA to the Australian supplier.

(4) The Australian registered trademark used for the product in the Australian market.

3. Product Scope

(1) Industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment, audio and video equipment;

(2) Household electrical appliances;

(3) Power tools and electric heating appliances;

(4) Lighting and similar equipment;

(5) Information technology equipment.

(6) Products that do not require application include:

(7) Devices manufactured outside Australia and not intended for sale in Australia;

(8) Devices imported from New Zealand for sale in Australia that already comply with relevant New Zealand regulations;

(9) Products not within the scope of required application.

4. Product Classification

Australia's EMC system classifies products into three levels. Suppliers must register with the ACA and apply to use the C-Tick mark before selling Level 2 and Level 3 products.

Level 1 products refer to those with low interference radiation to devices using the wireless spectrum, such as manual switches, simple relays, single-phase squirrel-cage induction motors, 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 if the supplier chooses to use the mark, they must also provide conformity records along with the Declaration of Conformity and product description to prove that the product described in the declaration complies with relevant EMC standards. There are no requirements for the testing location, and internal testing is allowed.

Level 2 products refer to those with high interference radiation to devices using the wireless spectrum, such as switching power supplies, welding machines, dimmers, and most household appliances. In addition to signing the Declaration of Conformity and providing a product description, suppliers must also provide test reports conducted according to relevant standards. If there are no relevant standards, a technical construction file must be provided. There are no requirements for the testing location, and internal testing is allowed.

Level 3 products refer to those with extremely high interference radiation to devices using the wireless spectrum, i.e., products covered by CISPR11 and CISPR22. Currently, communication terminal products are still included in this category, but from November 7, 2003, terminal products will be classified as Level 2 products. In addition to signing the Declaration of Conformity and providing a product description, suppliers must also provide test reports issued by an accredited testing agency. Additionally, a Quality Management System certificate issued by a QSM certification body must be provided.

5. Certification Documentation

(1) The full name and detailed contact address of the manufacturer of the product applying for certification and the applicant.

(2) A copy of the installation and user manual to be provided to users for the certified product. (If the product does not yet have a user manual, a draft copy of the relevant content may be provided.)

(3) The product's electrical schematic diagram and a description of its working principle.

(4) A table of the product's operating oscillation frequencies, listing the signal propagation paths and corresponding oscillation frequencies.

(5) Other product characteristics that need to be explained. Unless otherwise specified, the above documents should be provided in English. For applications involving multiple product models, please provide the documents separately.