Electrical Interference and the "C-tick"
Did you know that using your vacuum cleaner may interfere with your or your neighbour's radio and television reception? How about that your home computer has the potential to interfere with communications services used by the fire brigade, police and ambulance? No? In that case you need to know about the C-tick.
The C-tick is a special mark on electrical or electronic products that means they comply with NZ's "EMC" standards for radio interference. The C-tick is usually accompanied by a Supplier Code Number (SCN) label on the product. The SCN is prefixed by the letter "Z" if labelled in NZ, or "N" if labelled in Australia.
What is EMC? Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance means that an electrical or electronic product has been tested to international standards and is unlikely to cause reception interference for radiocommunications services, including radios and televisions.
Products that Should Have the C-tick
Typical products that must carry the C-tick are:
- kitchen appliances such as blenders, cake mixers, coffee grinders, electric knives and microwaves;
- home entertainment systems such as TV receivers, radio receivers, VCRs, and CD and DVD players and recorders;
- other household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, clock radios, sewing machines, dehumidifiers, power tools, electric lawn mowers and hedge clippers, and electric chainsaws; and
- personal home computers such as PCs and laptops, scanners, printers, keyboard, mouse, VDUs and monitors.
Radio transmitting products must also comply with technical standards, and must be labelled with one or more of the C-tick, the Regulatory Compliance Mark or the Supplier Code Number. Typical radio products that must be labelled are baby monitors, cordless telephones, garage door openers, marine radios, wireless microphones, home alarm systems, CB radios, wireless LAN products, walkie-talkie radios and emergency beacons.
If a product you bought is creating an interference, you should go back to the retailer you bought the product from and ask for a refund or exchange under the Consumer Guarantees Act. You can report non-compliant products to the Radio Spectrum Management Group by calling 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) or by emailing info@rsm.govt.nz.
Need more advice? EMC compliance regulations are administered by Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) under the provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1989. You can pick up a copy of their brochure, "Buying an Electrical or Electronic Product? Look for the C-tick!" from retailers, by visiting www.rsm.govt.nz or calling freephone 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
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PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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