Timeliness Statement: This document is based on the latest regulatory announcement from New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in November 2025 and new registration rules in the EESS database. Test standards and registration requirements may undergo dynamic adjustments. It is recommended to verify with a New Zealand accredited laboratory before shipment.
Business owners engaged in cross-border electrical trade with New Zealand understand: RCM is not an “optional certification,” but a “make-or-break requirement.” In 2025, New Zealand not only strengthened joint liability for local responsible parties but also tightened testing requirements for new categories like 5GHz wireless devices and energy storage power supplies.
RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a mandatory compliance mark shared by New Zealand and Australia. However, since 2025, the two countries' implementation details have diverged significantly—many businesses following Australian practices have encountered issues in New Zealand.
1.Three Core Attributes of New Zealand's RCM:
·Mandatory Scope: All electrical products operating between AC 50V-1000V and DC 120V-1500V require certification. This covers nearly everything from 12V Bluetooth speakers with charging functions to industrial power adapters.
·Regulatory Authority: MBIE centrally oversees safety and EMC compliance in New Zealand, representing a more centralized approach than Australia's “state-by-state” model. Non-compliant products trigger direct investigations with local responsible parties, carrying fines up to NZ$1 million.
·Legal Significance of Marking: Affixing the RCM signifies the “responsible party's declaration of product compliance,” not “institutional endorsement.” However, New Zealand Customs conducts random inspections to verify test reports match products. This year, three shipments were detained due to parameter discrepancies.
2.Key Differences Between 2025 ANZ RCM Requirements:
Dimension New Zealand Requirements Australian Requirements Pitfall Case Local Responsible Party Must be a New Zealand or Australian registered company with an IRD tax number May be held by the importer; no mandatory tax number requirement A company engaged an Australian agent for New Zealand certification but was rejected due to lack of IRD number, requiring 2 weeks of rework
5GHz Band Only 5150-5350MHz (indoor) and 5470-5725MHz (outdoor requires license) Full band open A wireless router failed testing due to unlocked bands, requiring 20 extra days for rectification
Registration Fees EESS registration: NZD 75/product/year, cumulative per trademark One-time registration fee, no annual fees A brand's multi-trademark products missed annual fee payments, causing certificate expiration and requiring retesting
II. New Zealand RCM Mandatory Certification (Effective 2025):
New Zealand categorizes products into three risk levels with vastly different requirements—this is where market articles most commonly confuse readers and where companies frequently encounter pitfalls.
1.Level 1 (Low Risk): EMC testing only, no registration required
·Covered Products: Pure battery-powered devices under 12V (e.g., Bluetooth headphones), electrical accessories without circuitry (e.g., power extension cords).
·Core Requirements: Obtain an AS/NZS CISPR 32 EMC report from an accredited laboratory. No EESS registration submission required; retain the report internally.
2.Level 2 (Medium Risk): Dual reports for Safety + EMC, no SAA certificate required
·Covered Products: 240V household appliances (e.g., coffee makers), wireless devices not connected to the power grid (e.g., wireless routers).
·New 2025 Requirement: Wireless modules must have separate test reports specifying frequency bands and transmission power (2.4GHz ≤ 20dBm, 5GHz ≤ 23dBm).
3.Level 3 (High Risk): Safety + EMC + Registration, all mandatory
·Covered Products: 56 categories of regulated products (power adapters, LED tubes, energy storage power supplies, etc.), accounting for over 70% of cross-border exports.
·Key Changes in 2025:
Safety testing must use the 2025 edition of AS/NZS 62368.1; the previous 60950 standard became invalid after June 24;
Registration in the EESS database is mandatory to generate an “N”-prefixed code (e.g., N12345), which must be printed on product labels;
SAA certification is required, with testing expanded to include “overload protection” (operating at 1.5 times rated current for 2 hours without damage).
III. Full RCM Certification Process for 2025:
New Zealand's RCM process appears complex but can be streamlined through techniques like “CB Transfer” and “Series Applications.” Using a Level 3 power adapter as an example, the practical steps are:
1.Preliminary Preparation: Select the right responsible party to avoid six months of detours
·Mandatory Action: Engage a New Zealand-based company as the “Responsible Supplier,” verifying their MBIE registration (check credentials on the EESS website).
·Pitfall Warning: Avoid “intermediary agents”; instead, select importers with physical offices. This year, one company used an agent who disappeared after certification, leaving no contact for regulatory spot checks and forcing product removal.
2.Testing Phase: Use CB Reports to Waive 50% of Testing
·Process Optimization: First obtain IEC-standard CB certification, then supplement with New Zealand-specific tests (e.g., voltage fluctuation 230V±10%, plug compliance with AS/NZS 3112).
·Cost Comparison: Full testing costs 18,000–25,000 RMB, while CB conversion costs only 8,000–12,000 RMB, reducing the timeline from 6 weeks to 3 weeks.
·Common Fix Points: Power adapters most frequently fail “temperature rise tests.” Using 105°C-rated capacitors increases pass rate by 90% compared to 85°C-rated ones.
3.Registration Phase: EESS System Pitfall Avoidance Guide
·Registration Portal: New Zealand Electrical Safety Registration System (https://eess.govt.nz/). Requires responsible party login credentials.
·Mandatory Information: Product model, test report number, SAA certificate number, label sample. “Wireless Band Specification” requires attached MBIE approval document (mandatory for wireless products).
·Common Rejection Reasons: Label lacks EESS code; test report parameters mismatch registration details. This year, one company faced two rejections due to missing codes.
4.Labeling Requirements: 2025 New Standards (One Detail Can Invalidate All Efforts)
·Size Requirements: RCM mark height ≥3mm. Small products may reduce to 2mm but must remain clearly legible.
·Content requirements: Must include “RCM Mark + EESS code + Manufacturer + Country of Origin”; distributor numbers prohibited.
·Placement requirements: Affixed to the product itself (e.g., adapter base), not solely on packaging — this year, a lighting company faced a S$5,000 fine during customs clearance for placing labels only on packaging.
IV. Three Key Recommendations for Cross-Border Businesses:
1.Verify wireless product frequency bands first: This is a new “pre-entry requirement” effective 2025. Especially for 5GHz devices, securing the correct band upfront saves significantly more than retrofitting;
2.Prioritize CB Certification Conversion: For products exported to multiple countries, obtaining CB certification first reduces New Zealand RCM conversion time and costs by half.
3.Renew Annual Fees: EESS registration requires yearly payment. Certificates expire automatically after 3 months of non-renewal. This year, two companies faced shipment delays due to forgotten renewals.
The core of New Zealand RCM certification isn't merely “paying for a certificate,” but achieving “precise compliance.” While the 2025 regulations appear stringent, identifying the right responsible parties, applying the correct standards, and avoiding pitfalls can achieve a pass rate exceeding 95%. For specific product inquiries—such as determining the risk category for energy storage power supplies or testing wireless modules—contact Blue Asia Technology at +86 13534225140 for professional certification consulting services.
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