Australia and New Zealand are key export destinations for global battery products. The RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a mandatory compliance mark for market entry, covering both electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility rules. For lithium batteries and energy storage products, a full understanding of the RCM system and compliance with AS/NZS 62133-2 are essential for smooth customs clearance.

1. What is RCM Certification?

Launched in 2016, RCM is a unified compliance mark jointly adopted by Australia and New Zealand. It integrates the former C-Tick (EMC) and A-Tick (Electrical Safety) schemes. Products bearing the RCM mark prove compliance with the EESS (Electrical Equipment Safety System) for electrical safety and ACMA regulations for electromagnetic compatibility.

RCM applies to the following lithium battery products:

• Portable lithium batteries for mobile phones, laptops, power banks and other consumer electronics
• Lithium battery packs for energy storage: household energy storage systems, backup power supplies, etc.
• Industrial and commercial lithium-ion batteries
• Complete products powered by lithium batteries, such as power tools and electronic devices

2. Applicable Standard: AS/NZS 62133-2

AS/NZS 62133-2 is the core technical standard for lithium battery RCM certification, the regional adoption of IEC 62133-2:2017 for Australia and New Zealand.

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Manufacturers holding a valid IEC 62133-2 CB certificate can apply for CB to RCM conversion. Most test data can be reused to save time and costs.

3. Nine Core Test Items per AS/NZS 62133-2

Lithium battery packs must pass all the following tests:

1. Continuous low-rate overcharge: Charge at 0.1C for 28 days to verify protection circuit reliability
2. External short circuit: Conduct short-circuit test on fully charged cells; no fire or explosion is allowed
3. Forced discharge: Apply over-discharge current to assess thermal runaway protection
4. Mechanical impact: Simulate drops during transportation to verify structural integrity
5. Vibration test: Replicate transit vibration to check internal connection stability
6. High temperature exposure: Evaluate safety at 70°C ambient temperature
7. Temperature cycling: Cycle between -20°C and +60°C to test sealing and chemical stability
8. Compression test: Assess safety performance under external squeezing force
9. Over-current protection: Verify BMS can cut off power under over-current conditions

4. Relationship between RCM and CB Certificate

The IEC 62133-2 CB certificate greatly accelerates RCM application:

• CB certificates are issued by IECEE member laboratories, and all NATA-recognized Australian labs are IECEE members
• Valid IEC 62133-2 CB reports are fully compatible with AS/NZS 62133-2
• Only supplementary tests for local deviations are generally required, cutting the total cycle by 30%–40%
• It is recommended to clarify regional differences during CB testing for cost efficiency

5. 5-Step RCM Certification Process

Step 1: Product classification Determine risk category under Australia EESS rules. Lithium batteries are classified as high-risk regulated products.

Step 2: Select authorized body Cooperate with EESS-registered Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB) or NATA-accredited laboratories. Qualified domestic labs can also perform tests via mutual recognition agreements.

Step 3: Sample testing Submit 3–5 complete battery sets for the nine mandatory tests in accordance with AS/NZS 62133-2.

Step 4: Responsible Supplier registration Register as a responsible supplier on the Australian EESS system (local agent service available). Upload compliance declaration and test reports to obtain the registration number.

Step 5: Apply RCM marking Affix the RCM mark together with the supplier registration number on products and packages for legal export to Australia and New Zealand.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is RCM mandatory for Australia? A: Yes. Lithium batteries are high-risk regulated products under EESS (Category 1/2). RCM certification and EESS registration are compulsory. Non-compliant products will face market recall and penalties.

Q: Can CE certification be used directly for RCM application? A: CE cannot replace RCM. EN 62133-2 test data is highly compatible with AS/NZS 62133-2 and can be partially reused. A new regional declaration and EESS registration are still required.

Q: What is the typical certification cycle? A: The standard process takes 8–12 weeks. With a valid CB certificate, the cycle can be shortened to 5–8 weeks. Arrange testing in advance to avoid delivery delays.

Q: Validity period of RCM certification? A: RCM has no fixed expiry date. The responsible supplier shall complete annual updates on the EESS system. Re-testing is required once the referenced standard is updated.

Feel free to contact us for customized RCM solutions and lead time consultation.

Disclaimer This article is AI-assisted for reference only, and does not constitute certification commitment or legal advice. All operations shall comply with the latest official regulations and standards.