Digital Switchover Labelling Scheme for Suppliers
As part of the Digital Switchover a series of labels for televisions and set top boxes and digital TV recorders have been developed to help consumers identify which product is digital ready or capable of being digital ready with the purchase of a digital ready product.
Licensed suppliers agree to apply the appropriate Government label to all television receivers they supply to the Australian market. A list of labelled products assessed and registered as compliant is available here
What is the Digital Switchover Labelling Scheme?
This Scheme and the associated supplier licence agreement were developed in consultation with industry peak bodies including the Australian Digital Suppliers Industry Forum (ADSIF) and the Consumer Electronics Suppliers' Association (CESA) and the Australian Government appointed working group.
How does the Scheme work?
A licensed supplier must assess all television receiver models it supplies in Australia against the minimum requirements outlined in the licence agreement. All television receivers must be correctly labelled where they are displayed for sale. The assessment against the minimum requirements can be done by a third party testing facility or by the manufacturer. The supplier must retain records of assessments and provide a summary statement to the Digital Switchover Taskforce to register a model under the Scheme.
A licensed supplier can label products during the manufacturing process or apply labels to in-store models. A supplier has six months from entering the Scheme to assess and label all television receivers it supplies. After this, any additional models supplied to the Australian market will also need to be tested and labelled.
How many labels are there?
There are three equipment labels: 'Digital TV Ready High Definition', 'Digital TV Ready Standard Definition' and 'Digital TV Capable Only with A Set Top Box'.
Digital TV Ready High Definition.
This label indicates that the TV or set top box can receive High Definition and Standard Definition digital TV.
Digital TV Ready Standard Definition.
This label indicates that the TV or set top box can receive Standard Definition digital TV.
Digital TV Capable Only With A Set Top Box.
This label indicates that the TV or device is an analog TV or device and is capable of receiving digital signals only when attached to a digital ready set top box. This label is designed for consumers who wish to convert to digital by buying an analog television and a digital set top box. This label also applies to any television receiver without a digital tuner such as a video cassette recorder.
How do I obtain labels?
The Taskforce will provide licensed suppliers entering the Scheme with a CD of label artwork so they can produce the labels they require.
How can I use the label?
The licence agreement includes usage and placement guidelines for the label. The label may be applied with the Energy Efficiency label or separately. A licensed supplier can also use label images in advertising material when referring to labelled products.
Is there a cost to join the Scheme?
There is no fee to enter the Scheme and no licence fees for continued participation. Licensees will pay for the cost of applying labels and complying with their obligations under the Scheme.
What are the minimum requirements for registered products?
Minimum requirements have been set at the current Australian Standard for digital receivers. This is to ensure consistency with the accepted industry benchmark and to avoid creating barriers to participation in the Scheme. The majority of digital receivers currently in the market should meet this standard without the need for any technical modification.
The only requirement outside the existing Australian Standard is a common connectivity requirement so labelled products will work together. This common composite video connectivity will ensure Digital TV Capable devices and a large majority of existing in-home analog TVs can be attached to labelled products to enable digital TV reception.
What are my third party rights and obligations?
Licensed suppliers cannot pass on the right to register and label product to a third party without prior consent from the Digital Switchover Taskforce e.g. a licensed supplier can request their manufacturer to label products on their behalf but the licensed supplier remains responsible.
What happens if I don’t meet my obligations under the licence agreement?
The Digital Switchover Taskforce will audit registered products on a regular basis. Licensed suppliers will be required to supply a product to the testing centre and tested products will be returned to the supplier after testing. Suppliers can provide the smallest device that is representative of a model to be tested i.e. if a single model television range is from 20” to 60”, a supplier can provide the 20” TV for testing. Any testing beyond regular audits will not be paid for by the Australian Government. Random audits will occur across all licensee stock and will include checking suppliers are correctly placing and using the labels.
The Digital Switchover Taskforce will notify a supplier of any failure to comply and request appropriate action to be taken.
How do I join the Scheme?
If you are interested in joining the Scheme please email switchover_suppliers@dbcde.gov.au for an application pack.