ACMA proposes folding EMC rules into General Equipment Rules

The ACMA has opened consultation on changes that would bring electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements into the Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021, known as the General Equipment Rules. Submissions close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 29 January 2027.

Under the proposal, the substantive requirements in the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Standard 2017 and the Radiocommunications Labelling (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Notice 2017 would be incorporated into the General Equipment Rules. Both of those instruments would then be repealed. The ACMA said the change would complete its objective of making the General Equipment Rules a single consolidated source for regulating radiocommunications equipment.

The ACMA also proposes to modernise recognised standards, EMC compliance exemptions and labelling requirements, while broadly maintaining existing regulatory outcomes where appropriate.

It is seeking feedback on several specific areas. These include updating device classifications and associated definitions to reflect changes in technology, and recognising additional EMC industry standards. They also cover simplifying and aligning equipment supply and labelling arrangements where possible, and updating equipment standards and related requirements to reflect current industry and best practice.