FAQs for suppliers
- How do I obtain a Licence to Supply Radio Transmitters?
- What standards do the products that I (am planning to) supply need to meet?
- How is conformity to these standards enforced?
- I want to supply telecommunications terminal equipment (TTE) what standards must I meet?
- How can the standards referred to be obtained?
- My electronic product incorporates a microprocessor and a radio transmitter. What standards apply?
- If I parallel import an EMC product that is already factory labelled with another supplier's label, am I also required to label the product and hold compliance folders?
- If I parallel import a radio product that is already factory labelled with another supplier's label, am I also required to label the product?
- I am declaring my radio product under Level A (A1,A2, or A3) and intend affixing R-NZ Only as required by the regulations. If the product is already, or will be, RCM labelled to meet Australian requirements; must I remove the RCM before the product is supplied in New Zealand?
- What are the labelling requirements in New Zealand?
- I want to sell new and used EMC and Radio equipment on Trademe or similar sites what rules apply to me?
- What is an "accredited test facility"?
- What are the mandatory standards applying to radio receivers?
- What are the requirements for overhead power line carrier systems (PLC's)?
How do I obtain a Licence to Supply Radio Transmitters?
Authority to supply (sell or otherwise distribute) radio transmitting equipment in New Zealand is obtained through issue of a licence to supply radio transmitters. To obtain this licence a Radio 3 application form should be completed and forwarded to Radio Spectrum Management Licensing, info@rsm.govt.nz, fax +64 978 3162, or PO Box 2847, Wellington. There is no fee for issue of this licence. The licence to supply radio transmitters should not be confused with the Supplier Number issued (prior to 1 March 2013) or ERAC registration for new suppliers from 1 March 2013 for persons needing to apply compliance labelling to products intended for supply in New Zealand.
What standards do the products that I (am planning to) supply need to meet?
Electrical, electronic and radio products on sale or in use in New Zealand must comply with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards, to minimise the risk of interference to the radio spectrum.
How is conformity to these standards enforced?
The compliance framework aligns with the international trend away from hands-on regulatory type-approval and towards industry self-regulation. To maintain the integrity of the framework however, regular "spot-check" auditing is undertaken. Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) has a compliance policy to ensure that the legislative requirements are met. Penalties for non-conformity or misrepresentation include:
- summary conviction fines (up to $200,000)
- daily fines (up to $1000 per day)
- infringement offences (instant fines $250-$1700)
- prohibiting the sale, importation and manufacture of certain products
- compulsory recall of products.
I want to supply telecommunications terminal equipment (TTE). What standards must I meet?
EMC and radio standards must be met but approval to connect telecommunications terminal equipment (TTE) to a network must be obtained from the network operator concerned.
How can the standards referred to be obtained?
Most of the standards referred to can be obtained from Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia. If not an AS/NZS standard refer to the appropriate issuing authority.
My electronic product incorporates a microprocessor and a radio transmitter. What standards apply?
Every electrical or electronic product must comply with an EMC Standard. If that product also incorporates a radio transmitting device then the radio device component must also comply with a Radio Standard. Note that all radio transmitters must comply with a relevant radio licence.
If I parallel import an EMC product that is already factory labelled with another supplier's label, am I also required to label the product and hold compliance folders?
Unlike intermediate suppliers (e.g. wholesalers and retailers) of products, you are unlikely to have an agreement with the other importer who has labelled the product. As a parallel importer, therefore:
- If the product is labelled with the RCM then no additional labelling is required. But you must establish compliance folders for the products.
- If the product is labelled with the C-tick then you must affix your own label consisting of the RCM, and you must establish compliance folders for the products.
If I parallel import a radio product that is already factory labelled with another supplier's label, am I also required to label the product?
Unlike intermediate suppliers (e.g. wholesalers and retailers) of products, you are unlikely to have an agreement with the other importer who has labelled the product. As a parallel importer, therefore:
- If the product is labelled with the R-NZ then no additional labelling is required. But you must establish compliance folders for the products.
- If the product is labelled with the SCN then you must affix your own label consisting of the R-NZ, and you must establish compliance folders for the products.
I am declaring my radio product under Level A (A1, A2, or A3) and intend affixing R-NZ Only as required by the regulations. If the product is already, or will be, RCM labelled to meet Australian requirements; must I remove the RCM before the product is supplied in New Zealand?
You must not place the RCM on a radio product declared to Level A (A1, A2, or A3). If, however, the RCM is affixed to meet Australian requirements it does not have to be removed before the product is supplied in New Zealand.
What are the labelling requirements in New Zealand?
See labelling requirements for further information.
I want to sell new and used EMC and Radio equipment on Trademe or similar sites. What rules apply to me?
Individuals and Companies wanting to utilise online auction sites or other web based sites to supply product in the New Zealand market must comply with all the requirements applicable to suppliers.
What is an "accredited test facility"?
An "accredited test facility" means a test house, facility or laboratory accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) (or accredited by an organisation that has a mutual recognition arrangement with IANZ.
International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ)
What are the mandatory standards applying to radio receivers?
Radio receivers must meet the requirements of the Radiocommunications (EMC Standards) Notice. In particular; local oscillator radiation limits must be met.
What are the requirements for overhead power line carrier systems (PLC's)?
Overhead power lines are classified as level 1 'interfering equipment', and any telecommunications on low-voltage lines, and associated terminal equipment, must comply with EN50065-1 or IEC 61000-3-8 as prescribed in the Radiocommunications (EMC Standards) Notice.
Presently, there are no specific standards applying to telecommunications over high-voltage lines, and associated PLC terminal equipment. Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) will monitor the development of international standards for both. When PLC standards are developed it is likely that the equipment will be required to meet level of conformity 2 requirements.In the meantime, under regulation 34 of the Radiocommunications Regulations 2001, RSM can require PLC high-voltage network operators, and persons installing, supplying or using PLC terminal equipment, to take all reasonable steps necessary to minimise harmful interference to radiocommunications services.
