Services: Electrical testing and certification, environmental or chemical testing

language
- English
- 中文

400-9269-886

NEWS CENTER

Industry News

Company News

Knowledge

The new version of the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standard for lighting equipment in Australia and New Zealand will be mandatory from January 1, 2026! Compliance costs soar

Time：

2025-08-05

The new version of the electromagnetic compatibility EMC standard for lighting equipment in Australia and New Zealand, AS/NZS CISPR 15:2025 "Limits and measurement methods for radio disturbance characteristics of electrical lighting and similar equipment", will be mandatory from January 1, 2026!

The Australian and New Zealand Bureau of Standards jointly released AS/NZS CISPR 15:2025 "Limits and Methods of Measurement for Radio Disturbance Characteristics of Electrical Lighting and Similar Equipment" on June 17, 2025, which will be mandatory from January 1, 2026, replacing the old version of AS/NZS CISPR 15:2011.

This standard is a jointly developed electromagnetic compatibility standard based on the international standard CISPR 15:2018 (ED.9.1), which mainly specifies the requirements for radio frequency interference emission (radiation and conduction) of lighting equipment, lighting parts of multifunctional equipment, ultraviolet and infrared radiation equipment, advertising signs, decorative lighting, and emergency signs.

Main changes

1. Add controlled products

The new standard for the first time includes ultraviolet/infrared radiation equipment, advertising sign lights, decorative lighting, and emergency signs in the mandatory control scope, clarifying their limits and testing methods for radio frequency interference (radiation and conduction), covering the entire product cycle from design to circulation.

2. Strengthen safety and insulation requirements

For example, if the output voltage of the LED driver power supply exceeds 60Vdc, the terminals need to be reinforced with insulation.

3. Increase wireless testing requirements

Wireless lighting fixtures require additional compliance testing in the Bluetooth/Wi Fi frequency band.

4. Adjust risk classification

The Australian and New Zealand regulatory agency ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) has simultaneously adjusted the risk classification, with 90% of lighting fixtures classified as Level 2 (medium risk) or above, requiring test reports and a responsible supplier compliance statement (SDoC).

5. Label and traceability reinforcement

The height of the RCM logo must be raised from ≥ 3mm to ≥ 5mm, and the supplier code (such as N12345) must be indicated. Importers need to register their products in the EESS database, and any design modifications must be re reported.

6. Update testing environment and methods

30MHz-1GHz electric field radiation testing requires a semi anechoic chamber environment and a 360 degree rotation to search for peak values; The 9kHz-30MHz magnetic field radiation test requires multi-directional measurement with a three ring antenna,

Compliance requirements and difficulties

（1） The implementation of new standards means that export enterprises are facing dual compliance pressures

1. Safety certification hook: Level 3 high-risk products such as LED bulbs and portable lighting fixtures require mandatory SAA safety certification (based on AS/NZS 60598 series)+EMC testing (CISPR 15)+RCM registration. For example, a separate LED driver power supply needs to be certified separately and must be of the SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) type.

2. Label and traceability reinforcement: The height of the RCM mark must be increased from ≥ 3mm to ≥ 5mm, and the supplier code (such as N12345) must be marked. Importers need to register their products in the EESS database, and any design modifications must be re reported.

Non compliant products will be refused entry into customs. Common reasons for rejection in the past two years include: non-compliance with component certification, missing Australian standard difference documents, and instructions not updating IP protection levels.

（2） Industry impact: parallel increase in costs and technological upgrades

1. Cost estimation: The addition of wireless testing (such as Bluetooth lamp stray emission detection) increases certification costs by 30% -40%.

2. Technical difficulty: 30MHz-1GHz electric field radiation testing requires a semi anechoic chamber environment and requires 360 degree rotation to find peak values; The 9kHz-30MHz magnetic field radiation test requires multi-directional measurement with a three ring antenna, making it difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to rectify.

Lighting manufacturers have already laid out in advance and reused EU EN55015 test data to reduce costs, but the unique harmonic current (AS/NZS 61000.3.2) and voltage flicker standards of Australia and New Zealand still need to be localized and adapted.

Compliance recommendations

This standard will be enforced on January 1, 2026, and old versions of certificates will be allowed to circulate during the transition period. ACMA plans to collaborate with RSM (New Zealand Spectrum Management Agency) to launch market inspections, with a focus on screening advertising light boxes and emergency lighting equipment. The new standard is not only an upgrade in technical barriers, but also a redefinition of the synergy between green lighting and electromagnetic safety in the Australian and New Zealand markets. For Chinese manufacturing enterprises, accelerating the integration of a one-stop certification solution of "safety regulations+EMC+radio" will be the key to breaking the deadlock.

Jiayu Testing Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratory is accredited with CMA, CNAS, and CBTL qualifications and can provide services for AC/DC electronic appliances such as household appliances and lighting fixtures IT/AV、 For automotive electronics and other products, we provide EMC testing reports, EMC rental testing, and EMC rectification services for countries such as China, Europe, the United States FCC, and Australia. Please feel free to contact us at 400-9269-886 !