In February 2026, Australian authorities officially released the updated standard AS/NZS 4417.2:2026, which for the first time explicitly classifies portable energy storage power supplies (commonly known as outdoor power stations or emergency power supplies) into the scope of mandatory certification.

This means all energy storage power supplies sold to the Australian market must obtain SAA certification and affix the RCM mark to complete customs clearance and legal sales. For export manufacturers and cross-border e-commerce sellers of energy storage products, mastering the technical requirements, product classification, applicable standards and application procedures of SAA certification has become essential for accessing the Australian market. This article systematically interprets the core changes of the 2026 new regulations.

1. Relationship between SAA Certification and RCM Mark

Before learning about technical requirements, let’s clarify two easily confused concepts: SAA Certification and RCM Mark.

SAA (Standards Australia Association) Certification refers to the product safety compliance certificate issued by accredited third-party testing and certification bodies (e.g. SAA Approvals, TUV Rheinland, Intertek) in accordance with the AS/NZS standard system. An SAA certificate proves that the product has passed all test items specified by Australian standards and serves as legal documentation for product safety.

RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a unified compliance mark for electrical products in Australia and New Zealand, replacing the former state-based A-Tick, C-Tick and local certification marks. After obtaining SAA certification, the certification body shall complete product registration in the database of the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) of Australia. Only then can manufacturers and importers legally use the RCM mark.

In short: SAA certification is the legal prerequisite for using the RCM mark, while the RCM mark is the visible credential for market access.

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2. 2026 New Regulation: Update of AS/NZS 4417.2

AS/NZS 4417.2 is the fundamental standard governing the compliance marking system for electrical products in Australia. The 2026 revision defines a new regulated category: Portable Energy Storage Power Supply, which is listed as Level 1 electrical products subject to mandatory third-party certification.

Products covered by the new rules feature: built-in lithium-ion battery packs, power storage function, and at least two types of output ports among AC, DC and USB. Such products are widely used for outdoor operations, emergency power supply, camping, travel and household backup power.

In short, mainstream products including outdoor power stations, large-capacity portable energy storage systems and portable UPS power supplies are all within the scope of mandatory SAA certification.

After the implementation of the new rules, portable energy storage power supplies without valid SAA certification will be rejected by Australian customs and cannot be legally listed on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon Australia and eBay Australia. State electrical safety authorities including Energy Safe Victoria and NSW Fair Trading have the right to remove non-compliant products from shelves, initiate product recalls and impose fines.

3. Three Product Classifications and Applicable Standards

According to the regulatory classification of AS/NZS 4417.2:2026, portable energy storage power supplies are divided into three categories based on functional configurations, with corresponding supplementary standards for each type.

Basic Standards (Mandatory for all three categories)

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Classification of Three Product Types

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Note: A single product may have multiple functions and fall into more than one category. It shall comply with all corresponding supplementary standards. The testing laboratory will issue a full list of applicable standards based on actual product configurations.

4. SAA Certification Test System

The testing for SAA certification of portable energy storage power supplies consists of two parts: overall electrical safety testing and built-in battery pack safety testing. Test reports of both parts are required for final compliance assessment.

Overall Electrical Safety Tests (per AS/NZS 62368.1:2022)

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Built-in Lithium-ion Battery Pack Tests (per manufacturer’s test declaration or CB scheme)

The built-in lithium-ion battery packs are generally tested in accordance with IEC 62619:2022 or equivalent CB test reports. Main items include external short circuit, overcharge, forced discharge, compression, drop, thermal abuse, vibration and mechanical impact tests.

If the battery pack is equipped with valid IEC 62619 CB certificate and test report, the SAA authority will recognize the documents and greatly shorten the testing cycle.

5. SAA Certification Application Procedures

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Total Cycle: The initial certification takes 8 to 16 weeks in general. If the built-in battery has a valid IEC 62619 CB certificate and report, repeated battery tests can be exempted. Due to surging certification demands after the new rule takes effect, please reserve sufficient time for laboratory scheduling.

6. Five Key Notes

6.1 Label & Marking Requirements

The label design will be reviewed during certification. Mandatory information on the label: name and address of manufacturer/importer, model number, rated voltage/current/power, IP rating, production date/batch number and reserved area for RCM mark. All content must be in English with clear and durable printing.

6.2 Independent Compliance of Built-in Batteries

Lithium-ion battery packs shall comply with Australian battery safety standards (AS/NZS 62133 or equivalent IEC 62133-2 CB reports).

• If the battery and main unit are from the same manufacturer’s product line, the battery test can be included in the main unit’s SAA application.
• If the battery is sourced from a third party, additional compliance documents for the battery pack are required.

6.3 Mandatory EMC Test

EMC is independently regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Although not directly governed by SAA rules, an EMC test report complying with CISPR 32/35 is generally required to avoid market access obstacles in Australia.

6.4 Multi-model Coverage Strategy

For multiple energy storage products based on the same design platform (only different in battery capacity or output power), series model evaluation is available. Select a representative model for full testing, and only conduct differential tests on derivative models to reduce costs. Please confirm the model difference rules with the certification body in advance.

6.5 Australian Responsible Supplier Requirement

Australian electrical safety regulations require all electrical products sold locally to appoint an Australian Responsible Supplier, who takes charge of declaration of compliance and after-sales services. Overseas manufacturers can appoint local importers, distributors or professional compliance agencies as the responsible party.

7. FAQ

Q1: What is the validity period of SAA certificate? How to renew it? An SAA certificate is valid for 5 years, and annual surveillance audits are required during the validity period. Please start the renewal process 3 months before expiry by submitting updated technical documents and factory audit reports. A new certificate will be issued after approval.

Q2: Can I directly convert IEC 62368-1 CB report to SAA certificate? Direct conversion is not allowed. The CB report can be used for technical review to avoid repeated tests. However, the certification body still needs to assess national differences including EMC and labelling, and complete ERAC registration. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 weeks.

Q3: Are there different certification rules based on Wh capacity? Australian SAA certification does not classify products by Watt-hour capacity. All portable energy storage power supplies fall into the same mandatory category. For transportation, products over 100 Wh must comply with additional IATA/IMDG dangerous goods regulations. It is recommended to complete UN38.3 testing simultaneously.

Q4: Must the RCM mark be affixed on the product itself instead of outer packaging? The RCM mark must be permanently printed on the product label or body. Marking only on outer packaging is non-compliant. The minimum height of the RCM mark shall be 3mm, and it shall not cause visual confusion with other certification marks such as CE and FCC.

Q5: Is factory inspection required for SAA certification? Factory inspection is normally required for initial SAA certification. Auditors will inspect production processes, quality control systems, testing equipment and on-site personnel. Factories with valid ISO 9001 certificates recognized by the body can be exempted from the initial inspection. Regular surveillance audits will be conducted every 1 or 2 years afterwards.

This article is for reference only and does not constitute certification commitment or legal advice. Please refer to the latest official regulations.