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FAQs for consumers

 

 

 

I am going to buy a new household appliance what should I look for to ensure it is compliant?

  • For an electrical or electronic appliance check for one of the following marks C tick [image] C-tick logo.  or RCM mark[image] RCM-mark.
  • For a radio product it must have either a Z or N followed by numbers (e.g. Z1234) or the R-NZ label.

 

What compliance marks are recognised in New Zealand?

The C tick [image] C-tick logo. and RCM [image] RCM-mark. are recognised for electrical and electronic products whereas radio products are labelled with either a supplier code number (typically a Z or N followed by numbers), or the R-NZ label.

 

What should I do if I purchase a product and find it is not labelled?

In the first instance go back to the supplier and ask them about compliance marking and if not satisfied contact Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) by freephone 0508 RSM INFO (776 463).

 

What is prohibited equipment?

Prohibited equipment is equipment specifically identified as a serious risk to radio services in New Zealand. Details of prohibited equipment can be found in the Prohibited Notices. Examples of prohibited equipment are cellphone jammers and certain animal tracking and training systems.

 

I am going overseas on holiday and was going to buy the kids some walkie talkies and a cordless phone, is there anything I should look out for?

Yes, it is almost certain that any radio equipment purchased overseas will not be compliant with New Zealand frequencies and requirements and is likely to cause interference.

 

I buy products from New Zealand web sites and online auctions. How do I know these are compliant?

Use the question and answer facility on the New Zealand website to ask what compliance label is displayed. If you don’t receive an answer or they can’t answer it then you may be wise to look elsewhere. You may also report this to RSM as we liaise frequently with many of the online providers.

 

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I’m buying new cordless power tools, do labelling requirements apply to battery devices?

In most cases the device is exempt from labelling but any mains charging units are required to meet EMC requirements and be labelled.

 

Can you give me some examples of radio products that are required to meet standards and labelling requirements?

  • Baby monitors
  • Citizen band radios
  • Cordless telephones
  • Garage door openers
  • Land mobile radiotelephones
  • Marine radios
  • Walkie-talkies
  • Wireless alarm systems
  • Wireless computer equipment
  • Wireless LAN’s and WAN’s
  • Wireless microphones

 

Do non-compliant products pose a threat to public safety?

Yes, non-compliant products may pose a risk to public safety, for example:

  • Cordless telephones, wireless microphones, wireless equipment can all interfere with cellular services
  • Low power FM broadcast transmitters and baby monitors can interfere with aeronautical services
  • Garmin and other animal tracking and training systems can interfere with forestry and rail services.
  • Overseas walkie talkies and radiotelephones can affect radio linking services operated by emergency services and other providers.

 

What sort of appliances must be labelled?

All radio products that contain a transmitter, all electrical and electronic products that connect to the mains network. Examples shown below:

  • Kitchen appliances (mains or rechargeable): blenders, cake mixers, coffee grinders, electrical knives, microwave ovens…
  • Home entertainment systems: TV receivers, Radio receivers, VCR’s, CD and DVD players…
  • Other household appliances: vacuum cleaners, energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, clock radios, sewing machines, dehumidifiers, power tools, electric lawnmowers, electric chainsaws, fridges…
  • Personal Computers and office equipment: PC’s and laptops, scanners, printers, keyboard, mouse, VDU’s, monitors.

 

What do the various compliance marks mean?

[image] RCM-mark. The RCM indicates a product complies with the EMC requirements.
[image] C-tick logo. The C tick indicates compliance with EMC requirements (the C-tick is being phased out, all new suppliers are required to label their products with the RCM, and from 2016 all products will need to be labelled with the RCM).

Z or N followed by numbers (e.g.Z1234) indicates compliance with radio requirements.

R-NZ indicates compliance with radio requirements.

 

Can I be fined for using a non-compliant product?

Yes although RSM’s primary concern is with suppliers of non-compliant products the users of non-compliant products can be issued with infringement notices ($250 to $1700).

Examples of recent fines are, users of:

  • Garmin animal tracking and training devices
  • Cordless telephones
  • Baby monitors
  • Jammers
  • Cellphone boosters and extenders

 

What is EMC compliance?

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance means that an electrical or electronic product has been tested to international standards to reduce the likelihood of causing interference.

 

I want to purchase an electrical product from overseas

Please see Buying Electrical, Electronic and Radio Products from Overseas.
Last updated 4 December 2014