The Difference between C-Tick and the RCM Mark

Approvals

Australia’s EMC compliance and electrical safety regulatory regime changed in 2016 .

The introduction of the new RCM mark has caused some confusion, especially around what happened with C-Tick.

First of all let us clarify what C-Tick was not.

C-Tick was not an electrical safety approval mark. It was purely an EMC compliance mark.

All power supplies sold in Australia must conform to Australia’s EMC regulations, as laid down by the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA). ACMA is a Federal Government agency.

Next we need to touch on the Australian electrical safety regulations that apply to power supplies.

Some types of power supplies are classed by the Australian authorities as ‘in-scope (level 3)’ or ‘prescribed’ electrical equipment. This means they must be tested and certified by a recognised body.

When it comes to MEAN WELL power supplies the products that usually fall into this category are:

All other power supplies in the MEAN WELL range are classed as ‘non-prescribed’ items. Although they don’t need to be tested and certified by a recognised body, the importer still has to satisfy themselves that they are safe.

Up until the changes made in 2016, ‘prescribed’ power supplies needed to show both a C-Tick and an electrical safety approval number. In an attempt to simplify matters the new combined Regulatory Compliance Mark was introduced; the RCM mark.

On a ‘prescribed’ power supply the RCM mark replaced the C-Tick and the electrical safety approval number. The power supply in question should be listed on the government ERAC website. The listing shows who owns the safety certificate and which models it applies to.

Certain ‘Non-prescribed’ power supplies will also show the RCM mark in place of the C-Tick. These may be listed on the ERAC website, but will be marked as ‘non-prescribed’.

Hopefully we have clarified the position on C-Tick and the RCM mark. However, if you have any question about approvals and MEAN WELL power supplies, please do not hesitate to contact ADM.