Why Product Compliance Matters Before You Import

Importing a product into New Zealand or Australia that does not meet the relevant safety or compliance standards is not just a customs problem. It can result in goods being seized at the border, significant financial penalties, mandatory product recalls, and in serious cases personal liability under consumer protection legislation. The compliance landscape is more complex than many first-time importers realise, and the standards required in NZ and Australia frequently differ from those in China.

New Zealand Electrical and Electronics Compliance

In New Zealand, electrical safety for consumer products is governed by the Electricity Act 1992 and the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, administered by WorkSafe New Zealand. All electrical equipment sold in NZ must comply with relevant electrical safety standards and must not pose a risk to users. For most low-risk electrical goods, a supplier declaration of conformity is sufficient. For higher-risk products, third-party certification may be required. Relevant standards are generally aligned with IEC standards or AS/NZS joint standards — products meeting Australian RCM requirements often also meet NZ requirements, but this should be verified for specific categories.

Australia’s RCM Mark: What It Means and When It Is Required

The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is the primary compliance indicator for electrical and electromagnetic products in Australia. It replaced the older C-Tick and A-Tick marks in 2016 and demonstrates a product meets both electrical safety requirements (administered by state and territory regulators) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements (administered by ACMA).

Products that must carry the RCM include all equipment covered by electrical safety regulations — essentially any product using or connecting to mains power — and radiocommunications and telecommunications devices. To obtain RCM certification, the product must be tested against relevant AS standards by an accredited laboratory, and the responsible supplier must register on the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). If you are importing from China and selling in Australia, you are the responsible supplier — compliance obligations sit with you, not your manufacturer.

Chinese manufacturers frequently claim CE certification. CE is the European compliance marking and does not satisfy Australian RCM or NZ electrical safety requirements. CE-marked products may or may not meet local standards — this must be verified independently.

The ACCC and Product Safety in Australia

The ACCC enforces product safety standards under the Australian Consumer Law. Beyond electrical safety, it administers mandatory safety standards for specific product categories including children's products, cosmetics, and various consumer goods. Mandatory standards are legal requirements — supplying a non-compliant product is a breach of the Australian Consumer Law regardless of whether you knew about the standard. ACCC penalties can reach AUD $50 million for companies. Check the ACCC's product safety database at productsafety.gov.au before importing any product category that could be subject to a mandatory standard.

New Zealand Consumer Product Safety

In NZ, product safety is governed primarily by the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 and the Fair Trading Act 1986, enforced by the Commerce Commission. Goods sold in NZ must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and safe. NZ also has mandatory safety standards for specific categories including children's toys, nightwear flammability, and cots and prams. NZ and Australia have significant regulatory alignment — products meeting Australian standards often meet NZ requirements — but category-specific differences exist and cross-border compliance should not be assumed.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Requirements

Electronic products that emit radio frequency energy must meet EMC standards. In Australia this is managed by ACMA; in NZ by Radio Spectrum Management. Wireless devices including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and radio-enabled products require specific approval before sale in both markets. FCC certification (USA) and CE certification (Europe) do not substitute for NZ and Australian requirements. Products with wireless functionality need assessment against local standards before import.

What to Ask Your Chinese Supplier

For any electrical, electronic, or consumer product with safety implications, ask your supplier: what certifications does the product hold and can you provide test reports; has it been tested against AS/NZS standards specifically; which accredited laboratory conducted the testing; and will you arrange additional testing to the standards we require if current certifications are insufficient? Reputable manufacturers supplying to NZ and Australian buyers regularly will have documentation to support their answers.

How Epic Sourcing Helps With Compliance

Navigating product compliance when importing from China requires knowing which standards apply, finding suppliers who can meet them, and verifying that certification claims are genuine. At Epic Sourcing, we help NZ and Australian importers work through the compliance picture for their product category before sourcing begins — the only point at which requirements can realistically shape supplier selection. If you are planning to import electronics or consumer goods and want to understand compliance requirements before you start, get in touch with our team.