Compliance / Standards News

Archive of Stanimore news items.

News Items on this page:

2005

2004

2003

Compliance / Standard News Detail

2005  

22 Dec 05 - Many IEC and AS/NZS standards published in December
These include:

22 Dec 05 - IEC 60950-1 Ed. 2.0 (2005-12) published
The 2nd edition of this standard and probably the last as most of the energy now will be focused on the finalization of the new standard being developed to replace both IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065.  This new standard, to be know as IEC 62368 - "Audio/video information and communication technology equipment - Safety requirements" is targeted for publication in 2009.

17 Nov 05 - AS/NZS 4268:2003/Amdt 1:2005 published
Some of hte issues this amendment addresses include:

12 Oct 05 - New energy efficiency standard for external power supplies
Soon for publication are 2 Australian and New Zealand standards concerning the environmental performance issues of external power supplies having a single extra low voltage output.

To be designated "AS/NZS 4665 - Performance of external power supplies", there will initially be 2 parts to this standard:

The DRAFTS for both Part 1 and Part 2 have recently been approved for publication and therefore should be published before the end of 2005.

11 Oct 05 - DRAFTS of AS/ACIF S008 & AS/ACIF S009 out for public comment
ACIF today released for public comment drafts of both AS/ACIF S008:2005 & AS/ACIF S009:2005.
Public comment closes 5 pm on 12 Dec 05.

07 Oct 05 - Part 23 of EC 60950 published
"IEC 60950-23 Ed 1.0 -- Information technology equipment - Safety - Part 23: Large data storage equipment" was published on 29 Sep 05.  It is not yet known if Australia and New Zealand will publish their own national version of this new standard.

14 Sep 05 - New EU EuP Directive planned
The EU are planning to introduce an "Energy-using Product" Directive.  It will be a "framework" directive (like the energy labelling directive) so there will be other directives aimed at specific product groups in due course.

A working plan which si to be made publicly available by 06 Jul 07.

30 Aug 05 - Revised DRAFT AS/ACIF S042.1:2005 released for public comment
ACIF today released for public comment the second version of a draft revision of AS/ACIF S042.1.

This revised DRAFT proposes the addition of a requirement for acoustic safety for mobile phones.  This requirement is based on the requirements for acoustic safety for fixed telephony (refer to AS/ACIF S004:2004).

Public comment closes at 5 pm on 31 Oct 05.

23 Aug 05 - Victorian State Electrical Regulator and Gas Safety Regulator merged
On 10 August 2005 the Australian State of Victoria merged their energy safety watchdogs the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI - i.e. the OCEI was effectively the Victorian electrical regulator) and the Office of Gas Safety (OGS) to become "Energy Safe Victoria" (ESV).

06 Jun 05 - ACMA - new Australian communications regulator
The ACA (Australian Communications Authority) will no longer exist as of 1 July 2005.

The Australian Parliament, on 17 March 2005, passed legislation creating the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) as of 1 July 2005. The ACMA will be created by the merger of the ACA and the ABA (Australian Broadcasting Authority). 

The merger will not greatly impact industry or the community. Both organisations will retain their same functionality and responsibilities etc. In addition, the various offices maintained by each organisation will remain essentially the same. The move is seen by the Australian government as a natural alignment a coordinated regulatory response/focus to the convergence of technologies.

Therefore, although from 1 July 05 the ACMA will be responsible for product telecommunications and radiocommunications (including EMC, EMR, supply and licensing of transmitters etc) regulatory requirements it will really be business as usual for Australian manufacturers, importers or Agents.

The ACMA web site (www.acma.gov.au) should be up and running from 1 Jul 05 also. The web site will provide links to the ACA and ABA information.

Further information can be obtained from the ACA home page (www.aca.gov.au). Go to the bottom of the right hand margin column on the ACA home page.

18 Jan 05 - Mains Plugs Insulated Pins - Possible Relaxation in 3 Apr 05 Deadline
It is possible there may be a relaxation of 12 months for retail outlet stock.

Australian State & Territory and New Zealand Electrical Regulators started discussions about a possible relaxation in the 3 April 2005 deadline for items already in a retail outlet inventory (i.e. items received by retailer and brought into to stock prior to 3 Apr 05).  The period discussed was until 3 Apr 06 (i.e. 12 months).  This would allow retailers to sell, up to 3 Apr 06, items that they had in stock on 3 Apr 05 that did not have insulated pins etc.

Very late last year there was no definite outcome concerning the discussions however Stanimore has today confirmed that:

I am not sure about the status for the States of Tasmania (TAS), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) at this stage.

Concerning status for New Zealand, I have attempted to obtain an update but will not be able to confirm their intentions until next week.

17 Jan 05 - Reminder - Mains Plug Insulated Live Pins Requirement
As of 3 April 2005 all mains powered (230/240V) equipment (both existing and newly introduced equipment), sold in Australia and New Zealand must have insulated live pins on the mains plug and comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3112:2000 Appendix J.

On or after 3 April 05, it will be illegal to:

2004

01 Sep 04 - New requirements for radiocommunications "Short Range Devices" (SRDs) - effective 01 Sep 04
The "Radiocommunications (Short Range Devices) Standard 2004" was mandated (gazetted) on 1 Sep 04.  As a result, all LIPD (Low Interference Potential Device) devices must now meet the:

NOTE:  The Short Range Device Standard applies to all LIPD devices.

01 Sep 04 - Spread Spectrum devices must be C-Ticked from 10 Dec 04
As of 10 Dec 04 there will be an ACA mandated standard applicable for Spread Spectrum equipment introduced under the Spread Spectrum Class Licence.  This standard will require compliance with AS/NZS 4771:2000.  From 10 Dec 04 therefore, all such equipment will be required to comply with the Radiocommunications Labelling Notice and as such must be C-Ticked and the supplier must have a Compliance Folder etc and signed DoC.  

21 Aug 04 - ACA Publish FAQ concerning TLN Category B31
This FAQ clarifies that Category B31 of Schedule 1 of the TLN may apply to, among other equipment, any device that has an extension port for supporting a telephone handset etc (see http://www.aca.gov.au/telcomm/labelling/Category_B31.htm) for more information.

13 Jul 04 - AS/ACIF S003 out for public comment
ACIF released a proposed revised version of AS/ACIF S003 for a 60 day public comment period today.  Comment closes at 5 pm on 17 Sep 04.

06 Jul 04 - AS/NZS CISPR 13:2004 published today
AS/NZS CISPR 13:2004 : "Sound and television broadcast receivers and associated equipment - Radio disturbance characteristics - Limits and methods of measurement" was published today.  It supersedes AS/NZS CISPR 13:2003.  It is identical to CISPR 13:2003 + Amdt 1 of 2003.

06 Jul 04 - AS/NZS CISPR 22:2004 published today
AS/NZS CISPR 22-2004 : "Information technology equipment - Radio disturbance characteristics - Limits and methods of measurement" was published today.  It supersedes AS/NZS CISPR 22:2002 .  It is identical to CISPR 22:2003.

02 Feb 04 - ACA introduces new penalty scheme for telecommunications equipment
A "penalty in lieu of prosecution" scheme has recently been introduced in Australia concerning telecommunications equipment (such a scheme already existed under the radiocommunications and EMC regulations).  This essentially means the ACA now have the power to issue "on the spot fines" in relation to certain offences under Part 21 (Technical Regulation) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

07 Jan 04 - AS/NZS 3548 no longer accepted after 20 Jan 04
A reminder that from 20 Jan 04 it will not be acceptable to sign a DoC which states compliance with AS/NZS 3548.  From 20 Jan 04 compliance must be to AS/NZS CISPR 22:2002.

02 Jan 04 - ACA Standards that expired of 01 Jun 04

2003

26 Nov 2003 - TLN introduces AS/NZS 60950:2000 and AS/NZS 4117:1999 to replace TS001
Amendment 2 of 2003 to the TLN introduces these two standards to replace TS001.  AS/NZS 60950:2000 is introduced as the new electrical safety "applicable standard" to replace TS001. Compliance with either TS001 or AS/NZS 60950:2000 will be acceptable until 01 Jul 04 when TS001 will be withdrawn.

AS/NZS 4117 only applies to stand-alone surge suppression devices and a new TLN Category is introduced to cover this type of equipment (see news article below).  

26 Nov 2003 - New TLN category for stand-alone surge suppression devices
Amendment 2 of 2003 to the TLN introduces a new TLN Category for surge suppression device requiring compliance with AS/NZS 4117:1999.

26 Nov 2003 - TLN introduces AS/ACIF S043.1:2003 & S043.2:2203 to replace S043 Parts 1 & 2
Amendment 2 of 2003 to the TLN introduces AS/ACIF S043.1:2003 and AS/ACIF S043.2:2003 to replace AS/ACIF S043:2001 Part 1 and Part 2.

26 Nov 2003 - AS/ACIF S043 removed from all TLN Categories B & C
Amendment 2 of 2003 to the TLN removes the requirement to comply with AS/ACIF S043 from all TLN Schedule 1, Categories B and C.

26 Nov 2003 - TLN introduces new PMTS Category for 3G mobile equipment
Amendment 2 of 2003 to the TLN creates a new TLN Category ("PMTS") specifically for "third generation" (3G) mobile equipment.  This equipment was previously covered by the more generic TLN Category for CDMA equipment.

26 Nov 2003 - ACA gazette Amendment 2 of 2003 to TLN
This amendment introduces several significant changes to to Australian telecommunications regulation.  The most significant changes are addressed as separate 26 Nov 2003 new items above.  There are also some minor editorial changes.

24 Nov 2003 - ACA has accepted proposal to withdraw TS001
The ACA (ACA Board) has officially accepted the proposal to withdraw TS001 and the TLN amendment which will implement the change.  Once the TLN amendment is gazetted it will be official and compliance with AS/NZS 60950:2000 will be an acceptable alternative to TS001 compliance.

18 Sep 2003 - ACA Standards that expire of 01 Jun 04

18 Sep 2003 - List of ACA Standards that expired on 01 Sep 03
The following ACA standards expired on 01 Sep 03:

15 Sep 2003 - AS/NZS 60950.1:2003 Published
AS/NZS 60950.1:2003 is equivalent to IEC 60950-1:2001 with Australian national deviations.

14 Aug 2003 - LIPD Class Licence Revised 
The Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation 2003 (No. 1) amends the LIPD Class Licence to accommodate digital modulation transmitters operating in the frequency bands 915 - 928 MHz, 2400 - 2483.5 MHz and 5725 - 5850 MHz.  It is effective from 06 Aug 03.

05 Aug 2003 - Draft of ACIF G616:2003 (Draft) Released for Comment
DR ACIF G616 is a "guide" concerning acoustic safety for telephone equipment. 

05 Aug 2003 - DR AS/ACIF S004:2003 (Draft Revision) Released for Comment
ACIF released to day the draft of the revised S004 for comment.

24 Jul 2003 - Europe Extends Life of EN 55022:1994
Europe have extended the "Cessation Date" of EN55022:1994 to 01 Aug 05 as a result of the on-going problems with CISPR 22 (mainly associated with the requirements for ferrite clamps etc). The EMC Directive and RTTE Directives have been amended in this regard (EMC Directive on 22 Jul 03 by C172 and RTTE on 18 Jul 03 by C168)

07 Jul 2003 - AS/NZS 60950:2000 Amendment No. 1 Published
This Amendment .........

16 June 2003 - New ACIF Working Committee concerning mobile telephone terminals
The new Working Committee, ACIF CECRP/WC16 - Mobile Telephone Terminals, will revise the general requirements for the connection to an air interface of a telecommunications network for mobile telephone handsets (AS/ACIF S042.1:1999), including updating the emergency calling and ignition of flammable material requirements.

ACIF has called for expressions of interest in participating in WC16.  Applications close 4 Jul 03.

11 June 2003 - IEC publishes new standard on Metal Oxide Varistors (MOV)
The IEC recently published IEC 61643-331 Ed. 1.0 B (2003) - Components for low voltage surge protective devices - Part 331: Specification for metal oxide varistors (MOV). 

11 June 2003 - Draft Aust/NZ Radcoms SRD standard out for comment
The proposed new AS/NZS 4268 (DR 03333 CP) was released on 5 Jun 03 for public comment (comment closes on 17 Jul 03).  If accepted, AS/NZS 4268:200x will supersede both AS/NZS 4268.1:1996 and AS/NZS 4268.2:1996.

This draft Standard specifies the minimum performance and methods of measurement for short range devices placed on the Australian market and authorised for use by the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000 (LIPD) and Radiocommunications (Radio-controlled Models) Class Licence 2002 Class Licences issued by the Australian Communications Authority, or short range devices placed on the New Zealand market, and authorised for use by the General User Radio Licence (GURL) issued by the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development.

11 June 2003 - IEC Publish new EMC Generic Immunity Standard
The new IEC 61000-4-6 Ed. 2.0 B (2003) now replaces both IEC 61000-4-6 Ed. 1.0 b (1996) and IEC 61000-4-6 Ed 1.1 B (2001).

06 June 2003 - Future IEC requirements for "Measuring of power consumption of IT equipment"
IEC committee TC 108 has recently agreed to the publication of requirements for "Measuring of power consumption of IT equipment" (voting document was 108/65/FDIS - voting results found in document 108/66/RVD).

27 May 2003 - Draft Amdt 2 to AS/ACIF S002:2001 to public comment
ACIF today published Draft Amendment No 2 to AS/ACIF S002:2001 - Analogue interworking and non-interference requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network.  Public comment period is 27 May 03 to 01 Aug 03.  The amendment proposes new impedance requirements for bridging equipment designed and intended for connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) through an analogue interface, specifically addressing impedance requirements for ADSL modems.

14 May 2003 - ACIF recommends the ACA withdraw TS001
ACIF sent recommendations to the ACA concerning the withdrawal of TS001.

08 May 2003 - AS/NZS 60065:2003 published
AS/NZS 60065:2003 published today.  AS/NZS 60065:2000 date of withdrawal (DOW) is 1 Jun 06.

17 April 2003 - ACIF publishes AS/ACIF S043.1:2003 & AS/ACIF S043.2:2003
Both the above standards were published today.

15 April 2003 - ACA FAQ concerning "Laptop Computers with Modems"
The ACA have published on their web site an industry FAQ on the subject of "Laptop Computers with Modems" which particularly addresses the questions of how to deal with compliance for laptops with integrated modes and exactly which parts of the laptop must be assessed for telecoms compliance.

The FAQ is available from the ACA website at http://www.aca.gov.au/telcomm/labelling/laptops.htm. 

10 April 2003 - ACIF to establish a new Working Committee 
ACIF will set up a new Working Committee (WC15) under the Customer Equipment and Cabling Reference Panel.

CECRP/WC15 : Series Device Customer Equipment Working Committee

08 April 2003 - Revisions to AS/NZS 60065 & AS/NZS 60950

18 March 2003 - ACIF proposal to withdraw TS001 modified
The ACIF proposal for the ACA to withdraw ACA TS001 will still go ahead however it will be slightly different from that originally proposed.  Originally, ACIF were going to propose TS001 be withdrawn and the ACA instead require compliance with AS/NZS 60950:2000 (including Amdt 1) or AS/NZS 60950-1 when they are published. 

Due to the delay in publication of both Amdt 1 to AS/NZS 60950:2000 and AS/NZS 60950-1 this position has be revised to now propose that the ACA Telecommunications Labelling Notice (TLN) be amended immediately to provide an alternative to TS001 compliance in the form of AS/NZS 60950:2000 (i.e. the TLN would require compliance with either TS001 or AS/NZS 60950:2000).  The proposal will also recommend ACA TS001 be withdrawn on 1 Jan 04 and that the TLN be modified accordingly so that it would require from that time forward, compliance with AS/NZS 60950:2000 with respect to safety of Customer Equipment (CE).

NOTE:  TS001:1997 requires compliance with AS/NZS 3260:1993.  AS/NZS 3260:1993 will be withdrawn on 5 Jun 03.  There is no problem with an ACA standard referencing or requiring compliance with a standard which has been withdrawn however.

18 March 2003 - Errors in IEC 60950-21
A Corrigendum has been proposed to rectify 2 errors identified in the recently published IEC 60950-21.  the errors are:

13 March 2003 - TLN Amendment 2003 No 1
The Telecommunications Labelling (Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Notice 2001 (TLN) has been amended by the "Telecommunications Labelling (Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Amendment Notice 2003 (No. 1)" - effective 13 Mar 03.

11 March 2003 - Possible IEC Technical Specification on safety of xDSL signals
The IEC committee TC108 are presently investigating the possible publication of a TS (Technical Specification) on the subject of "Safety Aspects of xDSL Signals on Circuits Connected to Telecommunications Networks (DSL: Digital Subscriber Line)".  Note, this document when published is not likely to be published as an IEC standard in the first instance.  The rationale to publish as an IEC TS rather than an IEC standard would be in recognition of the urgency for some guidance documents on this subject but in the realization that the work is not sufficiently progressed to form the basis of an IEC standard.  When and if this work is finally progressed sufficiently to publish an IEC standard, the work would most likely be published as part of the IEC 60950 suite of standards (i.e. IEC 60950-xx).

01 March 2003 - ACA introduces expanded EMR regulations
New, expanded EMR regulations were introduced on 01 Mar 03.  Previously, only mobile handsets and base stations were required to comply and the limits were set in the expired joint Australian/NZ standard, AS/NZS 2772.1.   As of 01 Mar 03 all mobile transmitters are captured under the regulations including remote controlled toys, walkie-talkies, hand held two-way radios and of course mobile phones.  Radiocommunications installations such as broadcast towers and amateur radio stations are also now required to comply.

A new standard for limits also applies.  From 01 Mar 03 equipment captured by the regulations must comply with a standard developed by The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).

The new EMR regulatory arrangements require, In certain cases, compliance be demonstrated and compliance records kept.  The requirement to document compliance will commence of 01 Jun 03.

14 January 2003 - ACA introduce new Spread Spectrum Class License
The ACA introduced a new Spread Spectrum Class License on 18 December 2002 to recognize the revised FCC Rule and the new ETSI standard in the area of spread spectrum devices.  The new Class License also now addresses broadband frequency hopping in the 2.4 GHz band.

2002

20 December 2002 - New ETSI group to test IP-Based Technologies
Sophia-Antipolis, France - 22 November 2002
A new testing group has been set up to improve the quality of Internet Protocol (IP) -based technologies and ensure the convergence of telecommunications and IP. Established by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in response to demand from industry for high-quality test specifications, the group began work last week (16 November).

03 December 2002 - Proposed withdrawal of ACA TS001
ACIF DR CE056 - The Superseding of ACA TS001:1997 by AS/NZS 60950:2001 (including Amdt 1).

Proposes for ACA TS 001-1997 'Safety Requirements for Customer Equipment' to be superseded by AS/NZS 60950:2001 'Safety of information technology equipment (including Amdt 1)'. This proposal is the output of a review of the Standards and regulatory arrangements for customer equipment safety in Australia. Attached to the proposal is the Report ACIF G610:2002 'The superseding of ACA TS 001-1997 by AS/NZS 60950:2001 (including Amdt 1)' which has been prepared to provide the background to customer equipment safety standardisation, a summary of the review process, the impact on consumers and industry and the implementation timetable.

Closing date for public comment is 21 February 2003. The draft is available from ACIF's website in Adobe Acrobat format at:
http://www.acif.org.au/ACIF/display/metapublist.cfm?page_id=5707&source=482

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 3.x or better). You can download a free copy of the Reader from:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.

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