Brazil

BRAZIL (ANATEL) – REVISED TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESTRICTED RADIO COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

Effective February 28, 2019

The Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) published Act Nº 1379. The Act changes the provisions regulating the technical requirements for periodic transmission devices and the limit of the electric field strength of the Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) in the 13 MHz band.

Section 6.2.5 – Periodic transmissions at predetermined regular intervals are only permissible in supervisory or scan transmissions to determine the systemic integrity of transmitters used in safety applications. In this case, the periodic transmission rate shall not exceed 2 (two) seconds of duration per hour instead of the original 1 second per hour, for each transmitter.

Table V of Section 13.1 – Includes new limit values for the Radio Frequency Identification Systems (RFID) operating in the bands: 119 – 135 kHz, 13.11 – 13.36 MHz, 13.41 – 14.01 MHz, 433.5 – 434.5 MHz, 860 – 869 MHz , 894-898.5 MHz, 902-907.5 MHz, 915-928 MHz, 2,400 – 2,483.5 MHz and 5,725 – 5,850 MHz.

Section 13.1.1 – Specifies the field strength limits shall be measured using the mean detector and at the band transition radio frequencies the most restrictive field strength value shall be applied.

Canada

CANADA (ISED) – RADIO STANDARDS SPECIFICATION RSS-123, ISSUE 4 AND     RSS-181, ISSUE 2

 Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

The following two standards have been posted on the Radio Advisory Board of Canada (RABC) website for a 70-day consultation period.

• RSS-123, Issue 4, Licensed Wireless Microphones sets out the certification requirements for low-power radio apparatus operating in the frequency bands specified in the standard.
• RSS-181, Issue 2, Coast and Ship Station Equipment Operating in the Maritime Service in the Frequency Range 1605-28000 kHz sets out certification requirements for equipment operating in the maritime service in the frequency range 1605 – 28000 kHz.

CANADA (ISED) – ICES-003 ISSUE 6

Effective April 18, 2019

Interference-Causing Equipment Standard ICES‑003, Issue 6, sets out standard requirements for information technology equipment (ITE), including digital apparatus.

All external thermostats sold, offered for sale, manufactured, imported, distributed or leased on the Canadian market will have to comply with this issue of ICES-003 by December 31, 2019.

List of Changes:

• Updated Section 2.1 to clarify the definition of an ITE device.
• Updated Section 2.3 to include storage media.
• Updated Section 2.4 to clarify applicability of broadcasting equipment.
• Updated Section 3(b) to reference the latest version of ANSI C63.4-2014.
• Updated Section 4(e) to clarify that external thermostats are subject to the requirements of ICES-003 with a revised transition period outlined above the list of changes.

European Commission

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EC) – IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2017/1483 FOR SHORT-RANGE DEVICES

 Proposed date of entry into force: July, 2019

The draft Commission Implementing Decision will amend the short-range devices decision (the SRD Decision – Decision 2006/771/EC as last amended by Decision 2017/1483/EU) by replacing the technical annex in place with an updated version in order to respond to the rapid changes in technology and the emergence of new short-range applications. This new version of the technical annex will increase the number of harmonized frequency bands that can be used by short-range devices. In addition, it contains some clarifications as well as minor changes of technical parameters for enhanced spectrum access of existing harmonized entries.

Official documents about harmonized frequency bands can be found here. View Official documents about harmonized frequency bands (European Commission)

Ghana

GHANA (GSA) – MADATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PLUGS AND SOCKETS

 Effective January 1, 2019

 Plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes importing into Ghana must meet the following requirements:

 Plugs:

• should comply with  GS IEC 60884-2-1 (The Ghana Standard “Plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes; Part 2-1: Particular Requirements for Fused Plugs”)

• should be type G
• should be 13-amp with three rectangular prongs that form an isosceles triangle
• the central earth pin is 4×8 mm and 22.7 mm long
• line and neutral pins should be 4×6.35 mm and 17.7 mm long, on centre spaced 22.2 mm apart
• the centre-to-centre distance between the earth pin and the middle of the imaginary line connecting the two power pins should be 22.2 mm
• when the plug in partially inserted, the 9-mm long insulated sleeves should prevent accidental contact with a bare connector

Socket-outlets:

• should comply with GS IEC 60884- 2-2 (the Ghana Standard “Plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes; Part 2-2: Particular Requirements for socket-outlets for appliances”)

India

INDIA (BIS) – SMART REGISTRATION

Effective May 20, 2019

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched Smart Registration. Here are details of the new registration process.

• Applicants need to generate a “Test Request” from CRS website for getting their product tested by BIS recognized labs.
• Labs will be able to accept samples for testing only when accompanied with Test Request.
• After completion of testing, BIS recognized labs would be able to upload the test report on CRS website through their login.
• The uploaded test report will be available to BIS once an application is submitted online using the test report. BIS will not seek hard copy of test reports uploaded on the portal.

Timeline for Smart Registration is:

• May 17, 2019 – Last date of registration by BIS recognized labs on Smart Registration portal.
• May 20, 2019 – Opening of Smart Registration (Online Test Request generation for submitting sample to BIS recognized labs)

INDIA (MeitY) – CLARIFICATION OF MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICES (MFDs)

Effective May 2, 2019

The Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has clarified that the Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) which are printers with additional features like photocopy, scan, fax etc covered in the category “Printers, Plotters”.

INDIA (BIS) – APPLICABILITY OF IS 16333 (Part 3) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Effective May 1, 2019

Products like smart watch, mobile computer (ADPM) etc. are provided with SIM and aided with text input facility.

• These products will be accepted under respective product category notified by Meity, i.e. “Smart Watch” or ADPM, and Registration shall be granted to the product under the category for which it has been notified without seeking compliance to Indian language support as per IS 16333 (part 3).
• This issues with the approval of competent authority.

INDIA (WPC) – GRANT OF EQUIPMENT TYPE APPROVAL (ETA) THROUGH SELF-DECLARATION ON SARAL SANCHAR PORTAL

Effective May 1, 2019

WPC has introduced ETA through Self-Declaration for certain categories of wireless equipment operating in license exempt bands with low transmission power and which are exempted form import licensing requirement as per Import Policy of DGFT. Online facility for obtaining ETA through self-declaration has been enabled on Saral Sanchar Portal of DoT.

Applicants are required to apply online for obtaining ETA/import for products falling under the category of “ETA through self-declaration”.

The following items falls under self-declaration:

• Mobile Handsets,
• Smart Phones,
• Electronic Notepads,
• Laptops,
• Smart Watches,
• Short Range Devices,
• Microphones,
• Speakers, Head Phones, Ear Phones,
• Printers, Scanners and Camera

All products other than listed above need to be type approved prior to import.

Indonesia 

INDONESIA (SDPPI) – ACCEPTANCE OF EMC REPORT

 Effective May 9, 2019

 SDPPI latest announcement applied to all equipment with RF / Telecom function is subject to local testing in Indonesia, with the exception of tablet, cellular phones and handheld computers. These products can still be approved by document evaluation.

Recently CSA has been able to obtain product certification by using existing ETSI RED / FCC reports, however this route to compliance is now closed.

A further Decision letter of DIRJEN SDPPI No. 138 Tahun 2019 has been published listing the accredited overseas laboratories for which test reports will be accepted for tablet, cellular phones and handheld computers.

Japan

JAPAN (MIC) – CHANGED MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRELESS PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

 Effective February 8, 2019

 The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) issued amendments to two existing Ordinances on wireless product certification:

• Ordinance № 15 of 2004: Technical Standards Conformity Certification of Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
• Ordinance № 37 of 1981: Technical Standards Conformity Certification of Specified Radio Equipment

The MIC revised the indication or display method of the technical conformity mark (giteki mark) and the size requirement for the conformity mark. It has been 3 mm or greater and now it is changed to “the size which allows anyone to distinguish the mark easily.” The MIC also established provisions for the display of the required information using an external display.

Links to the official documents:

Ordinance № 5 of 08.02.2019 Ordinance № 5 of 08.02.2019 (Japan)

Ordinance № 2 of 08.02.2019 Ordinance № 2 of 08.02.2019 (Japan)

Malaysia

MALAYSIA (SIRIM) – IMPLEMENTED eCOC

Effective February 11, 2019

The Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) introduced an electronic Certificate of Conformity (eCOC). A transition period until August 11, 2019 is provided to all applicants. Within this period, an applicant has an option to receive either an eCOC or a hard copy certificate.

This new procedure replaces the current method where a hard copy certificate is issued, and a certificate holder needs to get the certificate from the SIRIM counter. Now the applicant can choose the preferred method during submission of an application where a selection button will be available.

When selecting a hard copy CoC, the document will be ready after 14 working days from the date of approval and it can be collected from SIRIM counter. The new eCOC will be created with a QR code for identification and traceability.

New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND ALLOCATION OF 5G SPECTRUM IN 3.5GHz BAND

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

The Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media has announced that the 3.5 GHz band will be allocated for national 5G networks. Spectrum rights will be allocated by auction in 2020 and ready for use from November 2022. Spectrum will also be available to regional wireless broadband service providers in the band. Allocation details of these regional spectrum rights are expected to be announced later this year.

Papua New Guinea

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (NICTA) – TYPE APPROVAL OF ICT EQUIPMENT

Effective April 17, 2019

The Papua New Guinea regulator ‘NICTA’ has published the revised certification regulations under section 30 of the Radio Spectrum Regulation 2010 and the National ICT Act 2009.

The revised regulations now include all ICT equipment, all ICT-electronics equipment must be type approved and certified by NICTA before they can be used in Papua New Guinea.

The type approval process of ICT equipment seeks to achieve the following:

• prevention of interference in public communication networks;
• interoperability of customer equipment with ICT networks and interconnection between networks;
• conformity to local and international standards recognized by NICTA;
• addressing public health and safety concerns regarding emissions especially from radio communication devices;
• strengthening post-market surveillance activities on unapproved devices; and
• facilitating the availability of quality devices to the public.

NICTA inspectors will be conducting random checks to ensure regulatory compliance. If the ICT equipment is found to be non-compliant with applicable technical standards and CTA regulations, the supplier/s shall be notified to cease using or selling the ICT equipment and dispose it at it own expense or NICTA inspectors may seize the equipment and dispose it.

Russia

RUSSIA (FSA) – SAMPLE REQUIREMENTS FOR EAEU CERTIFICATION (EAC MARK)

Effective February 27, 2019

The Federal Service of Accreditation of the Russian Federation (RosAccreditation) and the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation announced “On the peculiarities of customs clearance of goods imported as samples for testing”. When importing products into the territory of Russia, selective state control (supervision) will be conducted, aimed at detecting and preventing the violations of the legislation of the Russian Federation with regarding to the procedures of the products conformity assessment according to the requirements of the Technical Regulations and National Standards.

The Federal Customs Service together with RosAccreditation, is working to automate information gathering process in terms of establishing the facts that the market participants indeed have imported product samples to the Russian Federation for the purpose of conformity assessment and real local testing.

In case of revealing the facts of issuing certificates of conformity without confirming the import of product samples into the territory of the Russian Federation, such certificates will be cancelled.

Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA (SASO) – REGISTRATION OF LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN SABER SYSTEM

Effective April 1, 2019

The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) announced the beginning of mandatory application for registering products on the SABER platform.

• Gulf Technical Regulation for Low Voltage Electrical Equipment and Appliances
• Gulf Technical Regulation on Children Toys
• Technical Regulation for Lubricating Oils

The conformity assessment bodies should stop issuing the COC as of March 15, 2019. Any shipment orders that are not issued by SABER are discontinued as of April 1, 2019 except for those that have a COC issued before March 15, 2019.

SABER is a new online conformity assessment system for imported products. It is used to issue certificates of conformity for products as per Saudi Standards and Specifications. The SABER e-platform is provided under the supervision of the SASO in order to facilitate the process of placing products on the Saudi market (whether imported or produced locally) according to the new Saudi Product Safety Program known as SALEEM.

Singapore

SINGAPORE (IMDA) – ONLINE PRODUCT CERTIFICATION PORTAL MIGRATION

Effective April 29, 2019

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has migrated their online product certification system over to the universal Singapore Govt portal known as LicenceOne. All applications for product registration now need to be performed through the LicenceOne portal.

With the switch to the LicenceOne portal there are some small changes to the application procedure. Only local Singapore companies can apply for the product certification. Local Singapore companies can assign foreign users to use the LicenceOne portal and help apply for the product certification.

The different product certification classifications remain the same and FCC-EU reports are still accepted as part of the application process.

Thailand

THAILAND (NBTC) – REGULATIONS FOR SELLING RADIO COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT AS PER ACT B.E.2498

Effective March 6, 2019

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) released the regulations for selling radio communication equipment as per act B.E.2498. Here are the details of this notification.

1. This notification is to inform all companies who are selling radio communication equipment. This applies to both license equipment (e.g. UHF/base station/license channels etc) and license exempted equipment (e.g. WWAN, WLAN, NFC, WLAN, Bluetooth).
2. Type 1: Radio communication equipment requires license. Users who possess and use radio communication equipment or set up radio communication station shall receive license.
3. Type 2: Radio communication equipment (WWAN/WLAN/BT/NFC/Wigig) is exempted to user license, possess license and radio communication station license.
4. The marking statement must be included in user manual, packaging or a compliance insert.

Ukraine

UKRAINE PUBLICATION OF RESOLUTION 323, IMPACT TO TECHNICAL REGULATION FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT

Effective April 19, 2019

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine announced Resolution No. 323.

• Approval certificates for radio equipment compliant to the previous Ukrainian Technical Regulation of Radio Equipment and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) will remain valid.

There is no longer a mandatory requirement to obtain compliance to the new Ukrainian

Technical Regulation for Radio Equipment, unless there have been any modifications made in the design of the radio product in question.

The process of applying for re-certification under the new Ukrainian Technical Regulation for Radio Equipment is now voluntary.

• Resolution No. 323, states that Radio equipment installed and intended for use as a part of the construction of wheeled vehicles do not fall under requirements of Technical Regulation of Radio Equipment, and can be imported and placed into market without Type Approval until 31st December 2019.

The tentative list of such radio equipment:

• Remote keyless entry / vehicle key / radio equipment for passive entry/passive start system with radio equipment
• Immobilizer / radio equipment with immobilizer function
• Car audio with radio transmitter or receiver
• Head unit with radio transmitter or receiver
• Car radio Infotainment system with AM/FM/DAB/GPS receiver
• Wireless charger + NFC for cars
• Automotive radars
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Others radio equipment intended for use in wheeled vehicles

United Arab Emirates

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (TRA) – NEW TYPE APPROVAL, VERSION 2.0 FOR TELECOM EQUIPMENT

Effective May 15, 2019

The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) implemented a new type approval, version 2.0 for telecommunications equipment.

Here are the key changes:

1) TRA has set three compliance levels of telecommunications equipment:

• First level: Declaration of Conformity
• Second level: General Equipment Registration
• Third level: Advance Equipment Registration

 

2) TRA Declaration of Conformity Card (Type Approval Regime Conformity Mark)

The registered manufacturer or importer of telecommunications equipment shall place the TRA Declaration of Conformity Card (Type Approval Regime Conformity Mark) on the product package in a clear, readable and non-removable format before offering, selling or making the equipment available in the UAE market.

• Products shall contain a product statement card as specified below.
• The tag can be marked using black and white color.
• The QR code shall contain the basic information shown in the middle box.

United States

US (FCC) – SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE (SAR) CHANGES

Effective February 19, 2019

• FCC has permitted the use of single head-tissue simulating liquid specified in IEC 62209-1 for all SAR tests;
• Mix and Match of traditional FCC SAR TSLs and IEC 62209-1 TSL in a single application is not permitted;
• TSL can be changed in a Permissive Change. If SAR increases and original SAR > 1.2 W/Kg, additional SAR measurements will be required;
• EC 62209-1 TSL is an alternative, not mandatory at this time;
• FCC parameters are used, ±5% tolerance. If IEC parameters, ±10% tolerance.