You’ve got a product (or charger) with a CE mark on it and you’re thinking, “Sweet—she’ll be right to sell in Australia.” But here’s the kicker: relying on CE alone can land you in a world of pain—delays at the border, pulled listings, failed safety checks, or having to rework labels and paperwork after you’ve already sunk time and cash.
The fix is simple: treat CE as “EU passport” paperwork, then do the Australian compliance steps (RCM/ACMA/EESS where required). ACMA is crystal clear that overseas markings like CE don’t mean your product complies with Australian rules, and they don’t automatically let you use the RCM or supply without it.
Table of contents
-
If you sell chargers, power supplies or electronics: EESS basics
-
Extra Australia-only watch-outs (button batteries + NSW “declared” items)
CE Marking Australia: What It Really Means (and Why It Still Matters)
What CE marking actually is
CE marking is a European conformity mark. In plain English: it’s the manufacturer’s way of saying the product meets applicable EU health, safety, and environmental requirements for goods sold in the European Economic Area (EEA).
You’ll usually see it on things like electronics and electrical equipment, machinery, and other regulated products.
The key idea: CE is tied to EU obligations
The CE system is built around the idea that the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the right EU rules apply and that the product meets them—supported by documentation and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
Battery Specialists’ article summarises it plainly:
-
manufacturers apply the right EU legislation
-
they create a Declaration of Conformity
-
and the marking needs to remain visible and not be messed with by other markings
Why CE shows up in Australia (and the common trap)
Australia imports a tonne of products from overseas, so you’ll often see CE on packaging, chargers, adapters, LED gear, and consumer electronics.
But here’s the important bit (and this is where people get stitched up): seeing CE in Australia doesn’t mean it’s “approved for Australia.”
ACMA spells it out under “Products with overseas markings”:
-
CE does not mean the product complies with Australian rules
-
it does not mean you can label with the RCM
-
and it does not mean you can supply it without the RCM (where RCM is required)
ACMA does note that in some cases you may be able to use international documents (like test reports) to help show compliance—but you still generally need to label with the RCM if your product requires it.
So yeah: CE can be useful evidence, but it’s not a free pass.
CE vs RCM: the Aussie reality
If you’re supplying regulated electrical/electronic products in Australia, what you’ll hear again and again is RCM.
What is the RCM?
The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is the mark used in Australia (and NZ in linked contexts) and it represents compliance under two schemes:
-
EESS (electrical safety)
-
ACMA labelling requirements (for relevant electrical/electronic products)
When you label with RCM (ACMA view)
ACMA’s “Step 5: label your product” explains that a compliance label is typically:
-
the RCM symbol, or
-
a QR code (or similar) linking to a webpage that displays the RCM prominently
And before you get to labelling, ACMA’s supplier process includes registering and keeping records (more on that below).
Bottom line: In Australia, RCM is the “show us you’ve done the homework” mark. CE is not.
If you sell chargers, power supplies or electronics: EESS basics
If your product is “in-scope electrical equipment,” Australia uses the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS) to classify risk and set obligations.
The EESS in-scope guide explains that equipment has risk levels (1–3) with different requirements.
Why this matters for battery/charging products
Many battery-adjacent items—power supplies, chargers, adapters—can be in-scope and may require things like:
-
meeting the relevant standard
-
RCM marking
-
being linked to a registered responsible supplier
-
and, depending on risk level, extra evidence like a compliance folder or certificate
The EESS in-scope definitions list “Power supply or charger” as an equipment type with an assigned risk level, and it references relevant AS/NZS standards and notes about testing (e.g., certain setups must be tested together).
Practical takeaway: If you’re importing or selling chargers/power supplies in Australia, don’t assume they’re “just accessories.” They can trigger EESS obligations.
Your practical Australia compliance checklist
Here’s a no-drama, do-this-next checklist for Australian sellers, importers, and brands dealing with CE-marked products.
1) Don’t treat CE as Australian approval
CE can be a helpful starting point, but ACMA says it doesn’t automatically mean compliance and doesn’t automatically let you use RCM.
2) Confirm what rules apply in Australia
ACMA’s supplier checklist is blunt: before supplying to the Australian market, you must follow the steps—check rules, show compliance, keep records, register, label.
3) Register correctly (Responsible Supplier)
If your product requires ACMA labelling, you’ll need to register as a responsible supplier on the national database (the EESS Platform).
ACMA describes registration as ensuring regulators can identify and contact you if needed, and it points you to register via the national database (EESS Platform).
4) Label correctly (RCM or compliant alternative)
Once you’ve done the compliance steps, you apply the label—typically RCM (or a QR code linking to RCM display).
5) Keep the evidence (and keep it tidy)
Even if you’ve got CE documentation, you may need Australian-specific records. ACMA emphasises keeping compliance records and making them available if asked.
6) Match obligations to EESS risk level (where relevant)
The EESS guide sets out that different levels require different evidence and steps (including RCM marking and linking to responsible supplier).
Extra Australia-only watch-outs (button batteries + NSW “declared” items)
Button & coin battery safety rules (big deal in Australia)
If your product contains button or coin batteries, Australia has a mandatory safety standard. Product Safety Australia explains that relevant consumer goods must have a secure battery compartment and pass compliance testing, and the requirements apply to new and second-hand items supplied on or after 22 June 2022 (with specific exceptions).
If you sell anything like light-up novelty items, remote controls, thermometers, toys, or gadgets using button batteries, don’t wing it—this is one of those areas where “near enough” isn’t good enough.
NSW “declared articles” / approvals (state-specific reality check)
If you’re selling certain electrical appliances in NSW (declared articles), NSW Government guidance says they must be approved (or approved equivalent), carry the appropriate approval mark, and comply with the relevant safety standard before they can be sold.
FAQs
Do I need CE marking to sell products in Australia?
Usually no—CE is an EU mark. In Australia, the key question is whether your product is regulated and needs RCM/ACMA/EESS compliance. ACMA is clear that overseas marks like CE don’t mean Australian compliance.
If my product is CE marked, can I slap on an RCM and start selling?
Nah, don’t do that. ACMA says CE doesn’t mean you can label with the RCM or supply without it (where required). You need to go through the proper Australian supplier steps first.
Can CE test reports help with Australian compliance?
Sometimes, yes. ACMA notes you may be able to use international documents (like test reports) in some cases to help show compliance—but you still generally need to meet Australian requirements and label with RCM when required.
What’s the difference between CE and RCM in simple terms?
-
CE = “meets EU requirements for the EEA market”
-
RCM = “meets relevant Australian compliance obligations across EESS + ACMA labelling requirements”
I sell chargers/power supplies—what should I watch for in Australia?
Charger-adjacent products can be captured under EESS definitions (e.g., “Power supply or charger”) and tied to specific standards and risk levels.
Best move: confirm whether your specific product is in-scope and follow the responsible supplier + labelling steps where required.
Do products with button batteries have extra rules in Australia?
Yes—Australia has a mandatory safety standard for consumer goods containing button/coin batteries (secure compartments + compliance testing, with defined scope and exceptions).
