Approval Specialists Forum and Blog

In accordance with Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) requirements, all devices must comply with the requirements of all of the applicable ACMA mandated Labelling Notices.

The supplier of a “host” device (lap top PC, Data Tracking device as examples) incorporating an already C-Ticklabelled (compliant) module(s) (Bluetooth^tm or wireless LAN) must ensure the resulting final product still meets all of the applicable ACMA mandated compliance and labelling requirements.

The ACMA considers that an already compliant, and C-Ticked, wireless module, where its original compliance is not impacted by its method of integration into the host device, would require no further radiocommunications compliance testing after integrated into a host device.  Some assessment may need to be done by the supplier, the module manufacture, or the test laboratory and the ACMA cannot make or assume that all situations will be identical.

The important caveat here being “where its original compliance is not impacted by its method of integration into the host device” – the logical question then is “how do you determine this?”  Clearly the only way would be to conduct a test of the “new” device.

For a “host” unit that incorporates an already compliant GSM modules ACMA will probably accept that the telecommunications compliance for the GSM module would still be valid (AS/ACIF S042.1 and AS/ACIF S042.3) however additional safety testing to AS/NZS 60950.1may also be required.  

In order to demonstrate compliance to the applicable standards in the Labelling Notices, recognition of the compliance of an already “compliant” module can be used only if the supplier has assessed that the process of integration of the compliant module into the final product has not compromised the module’s original compliance, otherwise additional testing will be required. 

The method and results of the assessment along with any additional testing needs to be included in the compliance records of the final product.  It is recommended that any assessment is performed with the assistance of the module manufacturer or a test laboratory.

Once any assessment and all necessary testing is complete, the supplier will have the confidence to sign a DoC stating that the final product is compliant with all the relevant ACMA mandatory standards.