Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B00429 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998

The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this determination under subsection 188A (7) and subparagraph 188A (8) (a) (i) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Dated 25 September 1998.

A J SHAW
Chairman

R HORTON
Deputy Chairman

 

Australian Communications Authority

Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998

made under the

Radiocommunications Act 1992

 

 

Contents

Page

Part 1 Preliminary

 1 Name of determination 2

 2 Commencement 2

 3 Definitions 2

Part 2 Use and application of the C-Tick mark

 4 Purpose of Part (Act, s 188A) 4

 5 Use or application of C-Tick mark 4

Part 3 Design

 6 Purpose of Part 6

 7 Protected symbol 6

Schedule 1 ECR specifications 7

Schedule 2 C-Tick mark 8

 

Part 1 Preliminary

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1 Name of determination

  This determination is the Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998.

2 Commencement

  This determination commences on gazettal.

3 Definitions

  In this determination:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

applicable standard, for a device, means a standard, including an EMC standard, applying to the device.

C-Tick mark means the protected symbol mentioned in paragraph 188A (8) (a) of the Act.

ECR specifications, for a device, within the meaning of section 15A of the Radiocommunications Act 1983, means the Equipment Compliance Requirement specifications for a type approval certificate issued under section 15A of that Act.


Note:  Definitions

A number of expressions used in this determination are defined in the Act, including:

  • accreditation body
  • competent body
  • device
  • EMC standard
  • radiocommunications community
  • recognised testing authority
  • standard

Other expressions (including technical references in Schedule 1) are defined in the Radiocommunications (Definitions) Determination No. 2 of 1993 and the Radiocommunications Regulations.

Part 2 Use and application of the C-Tick mark

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4 Purpose of Part (Act, s 188A)

 (1) Subsection 188A (1) of the Act provides that a person must not use or apply a protected symbol which, as defined in subsection 188A (8) of the Act, includes the symbol known in the radiocommunications community as the CTick mark. 

 (2) However, subsection 188A (7) of the Act provides that section 188A does not apply to the use or application of a protected symbol for a purpose of a kind specified in a written determination made by the ACA.

 (3) The kinds of purposes for which the C-Tick mark may be used or applied are specified in this Part.

5 Use or application of C-Tick mark

  For subsection 188A (7) of the Act, the following purposes are specified:

 (a) for showing that a device complies with an applicable standard, other than by use or application for the purposes of labelling referred to in subsection 188A (6) of the Act;

 (b) for showing that a device complies with relevant ECR specifications listed in Schedule 1;

 (c) for showing that a person provides services to assist others to comply with applicable standards relating to devices;

 (d) for use in relation to information or comment about standards;

 (e) for showing that a body:

 (i) is an accreditation body; and

 (ii) may determine that specified persons are recognised testing authorities or competent bodies;

 (f) for showing that:

 (i) a body is a recognised testing authority; and

 (ii) the body may test devices for compliance with applicable standards;

 (g) for showing that a body:

 (i) is a competent body; and

 (ii) may provide services in relation to C-Tick labelling requirements and showing compliance with applicable standards;

  (h) for supplying copies of the C-Tick mark to persons entitled to use or apply the C-Tick mark;

 (j) for showing that a body:

 (i) supplies copies of the C-Tick mark to persons entitled to use or apply the mark; and

 (ii) supplies copies of standards.

Examples   

1.   Under paragraph (a), manufacturers, importers and retailers of devices can use the C-tick mark on advertisements, packaging, displays, warranty forms and instruction leaflets relating to their products, to show that the products comply with applicable standards.

2.   Under paragraph (c), consultants can use the C-Tick mark in advertisements, and on stationery and business cards to show that they offer services to help manufacturers and importers of electrical, electronic and radiocommunications equipment to comply with applicable standards.

Part 3 Design

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6 Purpose of Part

 (1) Paragraph 188A (8) (a) of the Act provides that the CTick mark is a protected symbol, the design of which is set out in a written determination made by the ACA. 

 (2) The purpose of this Part is to set out the design of the C-Tick mark.

7 Protected symbol

  For subparagraph 188A (8) (a) (i) of the Act, the design of the CTick mark is set out in Schedule 2.

Schedule 1 ECR specifications

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(paragraph 5 (b))

 

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Item

ECR Specification

Brief Title

1         

ECR 210

Low powered portable and mobile MF and HF SSB equipment used in the land mobile services

2         

ECR 211B

MF and HF SSB equipment used in the international maritime mobile service

3         

ECR 211C

MF and HF SSB equipment used in voluntarily fitted small ships radiotelephone services

4         

ECR 211D

MF and HF SSB equipment used in the ship/shore radiotelephone subscribers service

5         

ECR 235

Angle modulated analogue equipment used in the VHF/UHF land mobile bands — 27.7 to 520 MHz

6         

ECR 243

Low powered devices — personal safety and security radio alarm transmitter-receivers

7         

ECR 272A

Low powered AM equipment in the aviation service with 25 kHz carrier in the frequency band 118 to 137 MHz

8         

ECR 301

Low powered devices — radio transmitting toys

9         

ECR 303

Radio apparatus used for the control of models

Schedule 2 C-Tick mark

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(section 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998 was made by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. The determination aims to regulate the use and design of the C-Tick mark, a protected symbol used to indicate compliance with applicable standards for radiocommunications equipment. By specifying the purposes for which the C-Tick mark can be used and detailing its design, the determination seeks to ensure that the mark is only applied appropriately, thereby maintaining consumer confidence and standard compliance within the radiocommunications community. This legislative instrument was designed to address any ambiguity or misuse of the C-Tick mark, ensuring that it accurately reflects compliance with relevant standards and specifications.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998, made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, governs the use and design of the C-Tick mark, which is a protected symbol used in the radiocommunications community. The determination applies to all persons and entities within the Commonwealth of Australia who deal with devices subject to radiocommunications standards. It specifies the circumstances under which the C-Tick mark may be used or applied, such as to indicate compliance with applicable standards or relevant Equipment Compliance Requirement specifications. The C-Tick mark can be used by manufacturers, importers, retailers, and service providers for advertising, labelling, and other informational purposes, but it cannot be used for labelling purposes as defined in the Act. The determination also sets out the design of the C-Tick mark, which is detailed in Schedule 2. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of the determination is national, applying across all states and territories within Australia. Any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not explicitly stated in the determination itself but would be defined in related instruments or the Act. The application of the determination can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments made under the authority of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Key Provisions

The Radiocommunications (C-Tick Mark) Determination 1998, made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, outlines the conditions under which the C-Tick mark may be used or applied. The C-Tick mark is a protected symbol that signifies compliance with certain standards and specifications for radiocommunications devices. According to Section 5, the C-Tick mark can be used for various purposes, including demonstrating that a device complies with applicable standards, providing services to assist others in complying with those standards, and showing that a body is an accreditation body, recognised testing authority, or competent body. For instance, manufacturers, importers, and retailers can use the C-Tick mark on their products' advertisements, packaging, and other materials to indicate compliance with relevant standards. Similarly, consultants can use the mark to advertise their services in helping others comply with applicable standards. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the entities using the C-Tick mark. These obligations include ensuring that the use of the mark is accurate and truthful, only using the mark for the purposes specified in the Determination, and complying with all applicable standards and specifications. For example, manufacturers must ensure that their devices meet the relevant standards before using the C-Tick mark on their products. Furthermore, service providers must genuinely offer assistance in compliance with applicable standards to use the mark in their advertisements and materials. Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Determination can result in significant consequences. Under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, using the C-Tick mark for purposes not specified in the Determination is an offence. The Act also provides for civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could result in imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The specific penalties are determined by the courts based on the circumstances of each case. It is crucial for entities to adhere to the requirements to avoid these legal repercussions.

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