Ministerial Standard 302

Legislation au C2004L06425 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

STATUTORY RULE 1987 No. 237 ISSUED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE MINISTER FOR LAND TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT

Sub-section 9(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (‘the Act’) provides that the Minister may, by instrument in writing, make standards for specified devices or devices included in a specified class of device.

Sub-section 9(2) of the Act provides that before making a standard the Minister shall publish the standard that he proposes to make and invite interested persons to make representations in connection with the proposed standard.

Sub-section 9(5) of the Act provides that standards, relating to radiocommunications transmitters may consist only of such requirement as to -

(a) the performance, design, finish and construction of radiocommunications transmitters; and

(b) markings, warnings, instructions or other statements to be impressed on, worked into, or annexed or affixed to, or to accompany, radiocommunications transmitters,

as are necessary for or in relation to -

(c) the operation of those radiocommunications transmitters;

(d) the prevention of prescribed interference, or risk of prescribed interference, to any other uses or functions of those radiocommunications transmitters; and

(e) the prevention or reduction of interference, or risk of interference, to radiocommunications.

Sub-section 9(7) provides that standards relating to receivers may consist only of such requirements as to -

(a) the performance, design, finish and construction of those receivers; and

(b) markings, warnings, instructions or other statements to be impressed on, worked into, or annexed or affixed to, or to accompany, those receivers,

as are necessary or convenient to be made for or in relation to:

(c) the operation of those receivers; and

(d) the prevention or reduction of prescribed interference, or risk of prescribed interference, to any uses or functions of those receivers.


The Minister for Communications published a notice in the Gazette of 27 May 1987 setting out the proposed standard and inviting interested persons to comment on it by 17 July 1987. The proposed standard was also circulated for comment to importers and suppliers. The standard was signed by the Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support on 8 September 1987.

The standard applies to radiocommunications equipment in cordless telephones. A cordless telephone consists of a base station which is connected to the telephone network, and one or more portable stations. The link between the base station and portable station is by limited range radiocommunications instead of a wire extension, allowing more convenient access to the telephone network. Both the base station and each portable station incorporate a radiocommunications transmitter and a receiver. The standard is to come into operation on 1 December 1987.

Part 2 of the standard sets out general requirements for the design of cordless telephone equipment. The requirements restrict access to adjustment mechanisms which could permit operation of the device outside the technical parameters set in the standard (Clause 6) and restrict the type of antenna which can be used on a cordless telephone (Clause 8).

Where a cordless telephone has been tested for compliance with this standard, details of the compliance statement certificate are to be displayed on both the base station and each portable station. The model and the channels on which it operates are also to be displayed on each station (Clause 5).

Part 3 sets the general technical requirements for a transmitter in a base or portable station. The transmitter is to be capable of operation only on up to 10 specified channels of specified frequencies and not on more than one of those channels at any one time (Clause 10). Maximum limits are set for frequency error (Clause 11) and frequency deviation (Clause 12).

Part 4 of the standard sets the technical requirements for a transmitter in a base or portable station operating at a frequency above 2 MHz. Maximum limits are set for carrier frequency field strength (Clause 14) and unwanted emissions (Clause 15).

Part 5 of the standard sets the technical requirements for a transmitter in a base station operating at a frequency below 2 MHz. The transmitter is to be capable of utilising the AC mains network as an antenna (Clause 17) and maximum limits are set for the power input of the transmitter (Clause 18) and the power level of its mains coupled interference (Clause 19).

Part 6 of the standard sets a technical requirement for operation of the receiver in a base or portable station, setting a maximum limit for radiation from the receiver.

Overview

The Statutory Rule 1987 No. 237, issued under the authority of the Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support, was enacted to establish technical standards for radiocommunications equipment in cordless telephones as per subsection 9(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1983. The rule addresses the need to standardise the performance, design, and operational parameters of cordless telephones to ensure efficient and interference-free communication. Before enacting the rule, the Minister published a notice in the Gazette on 27 May 1987 to invite public comment on the proposed standard by 17 July 1987, ensuring transparency and stakeholder engagement. The policy objective of this standard is to maintain the quality and integrity of radiocommunications by preventing interference and ensuring that cordless telephones operate within specified technical parameters, ultimately contributing to the reliable and efficient functioning of the telecommunications infrastructure.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (Cordless Telephones) Standard 1987, issued under the authority of the Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support, applies to all radiocommunications equipment used in cordless telephones across Australia. This includes both the base stations and portable stations that form part of these devices. The standard sets forth technical requirements and restrictions designed to ensure that cordless telephones operate within specified parameters to prevent interference with other radiocommunications services and to maintain the integrity and safety of the devices. The standard applies to all manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of cordless telephone equipment in Australia, and it is enforceable as a legislative instrument under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. The standard was developed through a process of public consultation, as mandated by the Act, and it came into operation on 1 December 1987. The standard includes provisions for restricting access to adjustment mechanisms, limiting the types of antennas that can be used, and specifying technical parameters such as frequency, power input, and radiation limits for both transmitters and receivers in cordless telephones.

Key Provisions

The statutory rule establishes specific standards for radiocommunications equipment in cordless telephones, as authorised by sub-section 9(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1983 (the Act). The standards cover the performance, design, finish, and construction of both transmitters and receivers, as well as markings, warnings, and instructions that must be affixed to the equipment (sections 9(5) and 9(7)). The Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support signed the standard on 8 September 1987, and it was published in the Gazette on 27 May 1987, inviting public comment until 17 July 1987. The standard came into effect on 1 December 1987. The standard imposes several obligations on manufacturers and importers of cordless telephone equipment. Firstly, it restricts access to adjustment mechanisms that could allow the device to operate outside the specified technical parameters, thereby preventing potential interference with other communications services (Clause 6). Secondly, it limits the type of antenna that can be used on a cordless telephone (Clause 8). Furthermore, any equipment that has been tested for compliance with this standard must display a compliance statement certificate on both the base station and each portable station, along with the model and the channels on which it operates (Clause 5). Failure to comply with the standards set out in this statutory rule may result in legal consequences. Although the explanatory statement does not explicitly detail the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of these standards could lead to enforcement actions under the Radiocommunications Act 1983. Such actions may include fines, product recalls, or other regulatory measures intended to ensure compliance with the specified standards. The penalties for non-compliance could potentially include substantial financial penalties, as stipulated by the overarching legislation, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.