Incorporating QR codes into the telecommunications labelling arrangements - consultation 21/2022

We received 6 submissions to this consultation. You can access these at the bottom of the page.

On 8 December 2022, we made the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment and Repeal (2022 Measures No.1) Instrument 2022. It amends the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2015 (the Telecommunications Labelling Notice) and repeals 3 technical standards.

Read more about these changes to the Telecommunications Labelling Notice.

We are proposing to amend the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2015 (the Telecommunications Labelling Notice) to enable the use of a QR code, or similar thing, as a form of label.

When the Radiocommunications Act 1992 was amended last year, the definition of label was updated to include QR codes. This meant that suppliers could label equipment under the radiocommunications labelling arrangements, with either the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) or a QR code, or similar thing.

The labelling requirements in the Telecommunications Labelling Notice require suppliers to label their equipment with the RCM, and do not have the option to label equipment with a QR code. This means there is an inconsistency between the radiocommunications and the telecommunications labelling requirements.

We are proposing to amend the Telecommunications Labelling Notice to include QR codes to align the labelling requirements with those under the Radiocommunications Act. This will provide consistency and flexibility for suppliers in the Australian market and enable suppliers to comply with the requirements through the use of modern technology.  

We have also identified 3 telecommunications technical standards that relate to outdated technology or withdrawn industry standards, which we are also proposing to repeal.

Full details are outlined in the consultation paper. The proposed Telecommunications Legislation Amendment and Repeal (2022 Measures No. 1) Instrument 2022 is also located in the key documents box.