When to apply your label
Check the relevant labelling rules to determine whether your product needs a label.
Generally all products we regulate need a label to show they comply with our requirements.
Cabling items must be labelled unless a transitional period applies. You can find out more about labelling cabling items.
You cannot automatically supply a product with an overseas compliance mark (for example, the CE or FCC mark).
Only apply a label once you have completed steps 1 to 4.
How to apply the label
It is your responsibility as a supplier to make sure you correctly apply the label. This means it meets our physical rules.
Generally product manufacturers include the label when preparing the product.
You can also give permission to a third party, such as an authorised agent.
Ultimately the responsibility still rests with you.
Physical rules
Check the relevant labelling rules for the physical rules for your products.
Generally they cover:
- The label must be legible and visible to the unaided eye.
- The label may be in any colour, as long as it is visible. This might be through contrast with the background colour or marking in relief (for example, moulding or engraving).
- The label must be no smaller than 3 millimetres in height.
- If you are using a QR code as a compliance label, the QR code must link to a website that displays the RCM prominently.
- If you are labelling a cabling item, you may display specified information on the sheath of the cable as a form of labelling.
- The label should be a permanent feature on your product.
- You must apply the label to a surface of your product that is easily accessible.
- You can apply the label by any suitable means (for example, printing, painting, moulding, etching or engraving).
- The label should be durable, meaning not likely to fall off, be washed off or fade.
If a product has a built-in display, you may show it electronically rather than on the surface of your product. (Displays that connect to the product, but are external, are not built-in.)
Your product instructions for the consumer must explain how they can view the electronic label. For example:
- during the product’s power up sequence
- under the product’s system information page
- under the product’s help menu.
If it is not practical to apply a label to the surface of your product (and you do not show it using a built-in electronic display), apply the label to both the:
- surface of your product packaging
- product documents (such as instructions or warranties) for the consumer.
A label on the surface of your product packaging must:
- be clearly visible
- take up an area that is greater than 1% of that surface.
If you do not apply a label to the surface of your product, you must keep records that say:
- why you did not apply the label to the surface
- where you applied the label instead.
This does not count if you label electronically.
Labelling wireless audio transmitters
If your product is a wireless audio transmitter that is capable of operating in the frequency band 694 MHz to 820 MHz, the label must also include the following text in bold type:
This device operates under an ACMA class licence and must comply with all conditions of that licence, including frequencies. In order to comply, this device must not be operated in the 694-820 MHz band.
Labelling cabling items
Manufacturers or importers of customer cabling and cabling-related customer equipment (cabling items) must apply a compliance label.
The compliance label for cabling items is either:
- the RCM, or
- a QR code or a similar thing linking to a webpage on which the RCM is prominently displayed, or
- specified information displayed on the sheath of the cabling item.
The compliance label must be applied to either:
- the surface of an item in a place that is readily accessible to a person, or
- the external surface packaging of the cabling item, in a place that is clearly visible, and incorporated in the documentation, including any warranty or guarantee certificate, that accompanies the item when supplied, or
- the sheath of the cabling item.
Transitional period for labelling cabling items
There is a 1-year period for suppliers previously exempt from labelling cabling items under Schedule 4 to the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025 to transition to labelling.
The 1-year transitional period ends on 30 March 2026.
Cabling suppliers with a previous exemption
Organisations that supply cabling products that were previously exempted from labelling under Schedule 4 to the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025 are:
- Aussie Switchboards Pty Ltd
- Belden Australia Pty Ltd
- CERTECH Pty Ltd
- CommScope Solutions Australia Pty Ltd (Systimax Solutions)
- Corning Optical Communications Pty Ltd (formerly Corning Cable Systems)
- Draka Elevator Products
- Dueltek Pty Ltd
- Firesense Pty Ltd
- General Cable Australia Pty Ltd
- HCS ANZ PTY LTD
- I-LAN TECHNOLOGY Pty Ltd
- Kordz Pty Ltd
- Krone (Australia)
- KSM Australia Pty Ltd
- Madison Technologies
- Maser Communications (Australia) PTY LTD
- Metal Manufactures Ltd (T/A Rushmore Distributors)
- Molex Premise Networks
- Omega Power Equipment
- Panduit International Limited
- PDL Industries
- Platinum Cables Pty Ltd
- Prysmian Power Cables & Systems Australia Pty Ltd
- Reichle & De-Massari Australia Pty Ltd (R&M)
- Schneider Electric (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd)
- Siemens Ltd
- Siemon Australia
- Tyco Electrics Pty Ltd
- Warren & Brown Technologies Pty Ltd.
Download the Regulatory Compliance Mark
The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) shows that a product is safe to supply to the Australian market.
Electrical Equipment Safety System
The Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) also uses the Regulatory Compliance Mark.
EESS is managed by participating jurisdictions. Questions about registration, such as registration fees (supplier or product), or EESS Platform support need to be directed to EESS.
You can also contact EESS on 1300 563 492 or via email: eessadmin@oir.qld.gov.au