ACMA is consulting on longer compliance record retention, revised mobile phone requirements and a new equipment safety standard.
5 August 2026
Consultation closes: 17 September 2026
At a glance
· Compliance records: proposed retention period extended from 2 to 7 years
· Mobile phones: tighter limits on grandfathering and updated emergency call requirements
· Equipment safety: proposed transition to AS/NZS 62368.1:2026
Three compliance areas are under review
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is consulting on amendments to the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2025 and two related technical standards.
The proposals affect compliance documentation, mobile phone technical requirements and the safety standard used for covered customer equipment.
Older mobile phone models may need updated evidence
ACMA proposes replacing the 2022 Mobile Equipment Air Interface Standard and limiting existing grandfathering arrangements for mobile phones.
After a transition period, mobile phones would need to comply with AS/CA S042.1:2025 and, where applicable:
· AS/CA S042.4:2025
· AS/CA S042.5:2025
The change is intended to support continued access to Australia’s Triple Zero emergency call service. It may also reduce the ability to keep supplying a phone model indefinitely based only on evidence prepared when the model was first introduced.
The proposed definition is limited to devices ordinarily considered mobile phones. It does not include fixed broadband gateways, IoT devices, personal alert devices, smartwatches or tablets.
Compliance records could be required for 7 years
Suppliers currently need to retain standards-compliance records for 2 years after the last supply of an item in Australia. ACMA proposes extending this period to 7 years.
Manufacturers and importers with long product lifecycles may therefore need to review how declarations, test reports and supporting compliance documents are stored and maintained.
The safety standard would move to the 2026 edition
The proposed Customer Equipment Safety Standard would adopt AS/NZS 62368.1:2026 for audio, video, information and communication technology equipment.
ACMA proposes allowing either the 2022 or 2026 edition to be used until AS/NZS 62368.1:2022 is withdrawn on 5 March 2029. The draft also includes provisions intended to avoid duplicate assessment where equivalent aviation or electrical safety requirements already apply.
What manufacturers should check now
The consultation opened on 20 July 2026 and closes at 5 pm AEST on 17 September 2026. ACMA is also seeking feedback on whether the mobile phone transition period should be 6 or 12 months.
The consultation drafts currently propose commencement on 16 November 2026, but the final requirements and timing may change after the consultation.
Companies supplying covered products in Australia should review:
· compliance records for products that will remain on the market
· test evidence for existing mobile phone models
· safety documentation based on AS/NZS 62368.1
· whether the proposed transition period affects upcoming product launches or continued supply
