Australia RCM & EESS Certification Guide for LED String Lights: Compliance Standards & Application Process

Australia is one of the world's major consumer markets for festive lighting, with strong demand for LED string lights and strip lights during holidays such as Christmas and Halloween. However, Australia implements strict electrical safety supervision on portable temporary lighting products. LED string lights/strip lights exported to Australia must complete two major compliance steps: RCM mark registration and EESS registration.

This article will systematically sort out relevant regulatory requirements, applicable standards and application processes to help lighting enterprises smoothly enter the Australian market.

01 Regulatory Framework for Lighting Products in Australia

Australia adopts a dual mechanism of RCM mark + EESS registration for safety supervision of lighting products.

RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a compliance mark jointly managed by Australian regulatory bodies (ACMA and state-level electrical safety regulators), indicating that the product complies with relevant safety, EMC and radio standards. EESS (Electrical Equipment Safety System) is Australia's electrical equipment safety system, which requires model registration in the EESS database before legal sales. Both are statutory requirements, and products cannot be legally sold without either.

All Australian states and territories have the authority to conduct market supervision on non-compliant products. Products without EESS registration may face delisting, fines or even entry prohibition. Cross-border e-commerce platforms (such as Amazon Australia) have also taken EESS registration number as a prerequisite for listing.

02 Core Standards Applicable to LED String Lights/Strip Lights

(1) Safety Standards

1. AS/NZS 60598.2.20:2022 Luminaires - Part 2-20: Particular requirements - Lighting chains
2. AS/NZS 60598.1:2023 General safety requirements for luminaires (basic standard, version subject to SAIGlobal announcements)
3. AS/NZS 61347.2.13:2018 Lamp controlgear - Particular requirements for electronic controlgear for LED modules (applicable to string lights with drivers/controllers)

(2) EMC Standards

1. AS/NZS CISPR 15:2018+A1:2020 Limits and methods of measurement of radio disturbance characteristics for electrical lighting and similar equipment
2. AS/NZS 61000.3.2:2013+A1:2018 Limits for harmonic current emissions
3. AS/NZS 61000.3.3:2012 Voltage fluctuations and flicker

(3) RoHS / Environmental Requirements

Australia has no separate mandatory RoHS regulation, but products sold simultaneously to the EU need to meet the EU RoHS Directive; local hazardous substance control for electrical products in Australia follows local environmental regulatory requirements. Many export enterprises will also meet EU RoHS as a general quality benchmark.

03 Key Test Requirements of AS/NZS 60598.2.20

AS/NZS 60598.2.20 is the dedicated safety standard for lighting chain products. Core test items include:

1. Electrical Safety Test: Insulation resistance, dielectric strength, earthing continuity, leakage current
2. Temperature Rise Test: The string light operates continuously at rated power, and temperature rise of each part shall not exceed the limit
3. Mechanical Strength Test: Tensile test and bending test of the string light to verify cable connection reliability
4. Waterproof Rating Test: String lights for outdoor use need to pass IP44 or higher waterproof test (per AS/NZS 60529 protection rating standard)
5. Lamp Holder/Lamp Base Compatibility: Verify contact reliability and dimensional tolerance of lamp holders and bases
6. Abnormal Condition Test: Safety performance under abnormal conditions such as bulb removal and short circuit

In addition, per specific clauses of AS/NZS 60598.2.20, lighting chain testing may also involve items such as photobiological safety (when including LED modules), thread sealing pressure, bulb replaceability, connector pull-out force, etc., which shall be subject to the original standard text.

Special Note: Due to special usage scenarios (long-term suspension, outdoor exposure, possible trampling), mechanical strength and waterproof performance are key concerns in the industry for lighting chain products.

04 RCM Mark Registration + EESS Registration Process

1. Product Classification Confirmation: The specific EESS Level classification of string lights/strip lights shall be queried and confirmed in the official EESS database (eriss.portal.com.au) by product code. Common classifications are Level 2 or Level 3, subject to the latest database information.
2. Testing & Report: A qualified laboratory completes safety testing per standards such as AS/NZS 60598.2.20 and issues a compliance test report.
3. RCM Mark Registration: The Australian-based Responsible Supplier (importer or authorized representative) completes RCM mark registration in the ACMA registration system, submitting product classification information, test report number and declaration of conformity.
4. EESS Registration: The Responsible Supplier submits product information, test report number and Responsible Supplier information (not manufacturer information) in the EESS database, completes model registration and obtains the registration number.
5. Labeling & Marking: Affix the RCM mark on the product nameplate and packaging, mark EESS registration number, manufacturer/importer information, rated voltage (230V 50Hz, complying with AS 60038 standard), etc.
6. Continuous Compliance: Ensure the product continues to meet standard requirements within the registration validity period, and re-evaluate when product design changes.

05 Common Non-Conformities & Avoidance Suggestions

1. Insufficient Cable Cross-Sectional Area: Too thin cable for string lights leads to excessive temperature rise. It is recommended to select appropriate wire diameter according to rated current.
2. Waterproof Seal Failure: Waterproof rating of outdoor string lights fails to meet standards. It is recommended to strengthen sealing design at connectors and lamp holders.
3. Lamp Base Size Deviation: Poor fit between lamp base and holder leads to excessive contact resistance. Lamp base tolerances shall be strictly controlled.
4. Incomplete Label Information: The nameplate lacks rated parameters, manufacturer information or RCM mark. The labeling scheme shall be improved in the design stage.
5. Uncertified Controller/Driver: For string lights with controllers, the controller part shall separately meet the requirements of AS/NZS 61347.2.13.

For LED string lights/strip lights exported to Australia, RCM mark registration and EESS registration are statutory thresholds for market entry. Enterprises shall incorporate Australian standard requirements into consideration at the product design stage, focus on cable specifications, waterproof performance and labeling compliance, to ensure products pass testing and registration smoothly and enter the Australian market in compliance.

Note: Requirements for Australian RCM mark registration and EESS registration may change with policy adjustments of ERAC and ACMA, and standard versions may also be updated. It is recommended to confirm the latest requirements with GTG Testing Group or Australian certification bodies before carrying out certification.

This content is for reference only. The specific certification process and requirements shall be subject to the latest regulations of ERAC, ACMA, Standards Australia and the State Administration for Market Regulation. GTG Testing Group reserves the final right of interpretation of service content.

The Lighting Testing Division of GTG Testing Group will continue to follow the latest developments in LED lighting and regulations, and provide professional compliance support for enterprises. If you need further understanding of regulatory details or certification consultation, welcome to contact us.