Brazil

Brazil (ANATEL) – Application of Electromagnetic Compatibility Tests for Equipment Sold without a Power Supply

Effective September 1, 2019

The National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) released a new Official Letter (n°. 430/2019), revoking the official letter n°. 16/2009. Since 2009, the ANATEL Official Letter n°. 16/2009 instructed that EMC testing applied to the power adapter even if the device was not commercialized with a power adapter.

In the new regulation, ANATEL informs Telecommunications Product Manufacturers, Designated Certification Bodies and Testing Laboratories that in order to relieve the telecommunications industry and make the certification process more accessible and expeditious, Official Letter 16/2009-RFCEC/RECE-ANATEL will lose effect from September 1, 2019.

Other EMC tests that are independent of the power supply remain mandatory, as required by the technical requirements.

Brazil – New Energy Efficiency Requirements for Refrigerators and Freezers

Effective July 31, 2019

The Brazilian Ministry of Energy and Mines (MME) adopted Portaria No. 1/2018. The regulation document discloses the Target Program for the energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers.

 

This regulation applies to refrigerators and freezers for domestic use, operating at nominal voltages of 127 V or 220 V, 60Hz or voltage ranges that encompass the same, or direct current operation, which are manufactured, imported, commercialized and/or used in Brazil.

 

It sets out the maximum levels of consumption (C/Cp) for the following product categories, as classified by IEC-62552:2007:

• minibars
• refrigerators
• frost-free refrigerators
• combined
• combined frost-free
• side-by-side
• vertical freezers
• frost-free vertical freezers
• horizontal freezers

 

The compliance deadlines for manufacturing, import, and sell of products:

• June 30, 2019 – Manufacturing and import
• December 31, 2019 – Marketing by manufacturers and importers
• June 30, 2020 – Marketing by wholesalers and retailers

 

The conformity assessment is guaranteed by Supplier’s Declaration. The maximum consumption levels are carried out in accordance with the Program of Targets that is used for labeling through the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO), through the Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE).

 

Energy Efficiency label:

Manufacturers, importers or their representatives must inform the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the INMETRO about the quantities related to production and commercialization of equipment every year by March 31 in line with the PBE classifications of the previous year.

 

Brazil (ANATEL) – Suspend Certification for Earth Station Antennas

Effective July 26, 2019

The National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) published the Act 4478 (2019) revoking the Act 939 (2018). This new Act revokes the technical requirements for conformity assessment for earth Station Antennas. This type of antenna does not need to be approved in Brazil anymore.

Canada

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

 

The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is seeking comments on the following consultation:

 

SPR-003, Issue 1 for Radio Standards Specification RSS-102 sets out the general test methods to be followed when carrying out an RF exposure compliance assessment of portable devices operating in the 60 GHz frequency band (57 GHz – 71 GHz).

Chile

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

 

The Ministry of Energy released a notification about the technical specifications for the design of efficiency labels for electric ovens. The purpose of the technical specifications is to provide consumers with information when they are selecting this type of appliance. International experiences, and the existing energy efficiency label and the protocols in force in Chile were taken into account when developing the proposal.

 

Under Article 4(i) of Decree-Law No. 2.224 of 1978, the Ministry of Energy is required to issue a resolution setting out the products, machines, instruments, equipment, appliances, devices and materials, powered by electricity, gas, fuel or any other energy source that must have an approval certificate or energy consumption label in order to be marketed in accordance with Article 3.14 of Law No. 18.140.

 

Chile – Gas-Fired Domestic Cooking Appliances

 

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

 

The Electricity and Fuel Board revealed the certification procedure for gas-fired domestic cooking appliances from a safety perspective, in accordance with the scope and coverage of European standards UNE-EN 30-1-1:2009+A3:2013, UNE-EN 30-1-2:2012, UNE-EN 30-1-3:2004+A1:2007 and UNE-EN 30-1-4:2013 and Chilean standard NCh927/1 Of 2007.

Ecuador

Republic of Ecuador – First Revision (1R) of RTE INEN 009 “Household Refrigerating Appliances”

 

Effective February 1, 2020

 

The Republic of Ecuador Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries advised that the first revision (1R) of RTE INEN 009 “Household refrigerating appliances” was officially published on July 31st, 2019 in the National Official Gazette, becoming effective February 1st 2020.

 

The RTE INEN 009 (1R) will replace the current version of the RTE INEN 009:2005, Amendment No. 1:2009, Amendment No. 2:2015, Amendment 3:2017 and Corrigendum No. 1:2019. This new version considers minor changes in regards of the certification schemes, sample requirements, criteria of acceptance of test results as well as the version of the test standards to be used.

Europe

Europe (EC) – RoHS 2 Changes

 

Effective July 22, 2019

 

The European Union (EU) tightens regulations governing the use of hazardous materials in all electrical and electronic equipment. The regulation applies to all electrical and electronic equipment categories except medical devices, including in vitro medical devices, and monitoring and control instruments, including industrial monitoring and control instruments. These products have a two-year extension until July 22, 2021 to meet RoHS compliance.

 

A Certificates of Compliance from suppliers must include coverage of four new EU RoHS substances. The new substances and their maximum concentration values tolerated by weight in homogeneous materials are:

 

• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0,1 %)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (0,1 %)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0,1 %)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0,1 %)

 

Homogenous materials that contain more than 0.1 weight percent of the named substance (Cd 0.01 weight percent) cannot be used in electrical equipment which come under the 11 categories of equipment under EU RoHS-2.

 

All businesses that sell applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to EU countries, or sell to resellers, distributors or integrators must comply with RoHS requirements if they utilize any of the restricted materials.

 

There were 10 different categories for which the RoHS Directive was applicable. As of July 22, 2019, category 11 was added.

 

Category 11 includes “other EEE not covered by any of the categories above”, such as 2-wheeled vehicles, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, cannabis vaporizers, and vape pens. Electrical cables that are less than 250V of working voltage are also added. This scope of application is open to all equipment that meets the definitions of “Electrical and Electronic Equipment” of EU RoHS-2.

 

The complete list of eleven categories:

1. Large household appliances
2. Small household appliances
3. IT and telecommunications equipment
4. Consumer equipment
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electrical and electronic tools
7. Toys, leisure, and sport equipment
8. Medical devices
9. Monitoring and control instruments including industrial monitoring and control instruments
10. Automatic dispensers
11. Other EEE not covered by any of the categories above

 

Europe (EC) – Expand The Scope of Lead Restrictions under The EU’s Regulation No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation)

 

Proposed date of adoption: 3rd quarter of 2019

 

The European Commission (EC) proposed to amend a portion of Annex XVII of the regulation dealing with lead restrictions. The proposed change would “prohibit the use of lead and lead compounds in articles produced from polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride as well as their placing on the market of articles produced from PVC if the concentration of lead (expressed as metal) is equal to or greater than 0.1% by weight of the PVC material.”

 

Europe – ETSI EN Standards

 

The final drafts have been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM), and are now submitted for the vote phase of the ETSI Standards EN Approval Procedure.

 

• Final draft ETSI EN 303 446-2 V1.2.1 (2019-07) – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for combined and/or integrated radio and non-radio equipment; Part 2: Requirements for equipment intended to be used in industrial locations
• Final draft ETSI EN 303 446-1 V1.2.1 (2019-07) – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for combined and/or integrated radio and non-radio equipment; Part 1: Requirements for equipment intended to be used in residential, commercial and light industry locations
• Final draft ETSI EN 301 908-18 V13.1.0 (2019-07) – IMT cellular networks; Harmonized Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 18: E-UTRA, UTRA and GSM/EDGE Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) Base Station (BS)
• Final draft ETSI EN 301 908-14 V13.1.0 (2019-07) – IMT cellular networks; Harmonized Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 14: Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA)Base Stations (BS)
• Final draft ETSI EN 301 908-3 V13.1.0 (2019-07) – IMT cellular networks; Harmonized Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 3: CDMA Direct Spread (UTRA FDD) Base Stations (BS)
• ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 (2019-07) – Wideband transmission systems; Data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz band; Harmonized Standard for access to radio spectrum
• ETSI TR 103 088 V2.1.1 (2019-07) – Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Using the EN 301 489 series of EMC standards

Indonesia 

Indonesia (SDPPI) – Short Range Device (SRD) Technical Standard

 

Effective July 30, 2019

 

The Indonesia Radio & Telecommunication Approval (SDPPI) published Regulation No. 161 Year 2019 on Technical Standards for Short Range Devices Equipment. This regulation is to replace Regulation No. 35 Year 2015.

 

Here are key changes:

 

• Bluetooth is now included in the Short Range Device requirements
• Before low power standards considered all range below 10mW, now the specified frequencies are considered under low power if their power is below 10mW
• New requirements on Safety, EMC and SAR
• The new Technical Standards include NFC (13.553 – 13.567 MHZ < 100mW ERP or < 94 dBuV/m) and WPAN (2.4 – 2.483 MHz < 100mW EPR)
• RFID below has been added to the new Technical Standards

7.4 – 8.8GHz based on < 9dBuA/m

920-923MHz < 400mW EIRP

920-923MHz > 400mW and < 2W will be only use for Payment Gantry for Road

Israel

Israel (MOC) – New Amendment to Wireless Telegraph Order

 

Effective January 1, 2019

 

The signing Wireless Telegraph Order amendment will reduce barriers and significantly ease the import of dozens of electronics when it comes to personal or family imports, for self-use and solely if the import is limited to a maximum of five devices.

 

The electronics products that come into effect under the order are:

• Computer Peripherals (ouse, keyboard or speaker)
• Computer Screen, Document Scanner Printer, Photocopier
• Home or Office Video Projector
• Streaming Video (Streamer), Gaming Console
• E-book Reader
• Tablet, Hand Held Computer, Laptop
• Desktop Computer, TV Receiver Set-top Box Converter for Receiving Television Receivers
• Radio Receiver, Cell Phone Replacement Parts, Car Hands-free, Camera (except security camera), Vacuum Cleaner, Wireless Electric Charger, Home Audio System, Audio Amplifier for Home Use

 

Not included in the order:

• Skaters and Smart Home Products

Malaysia

Malaysia (MCMC) – IPV6 Requirements

 

Based on the July 2019 public consultation from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Final Technical Code for IPV6 has been released.

 

Estimate Timeline:

July – August, 2019

• Submission of tariff code proposal to MOF (Subject to Technical Code Registration)
• Applicant may submit IPV6 application during 1 year grace period

 

August – September, 2019

• Tarriff Code Enforcement by JKDM

 

July 2020

• Implementation of IPV6 Certification program

 

Q3 2020

• Local testing facilities ready

 

Basic Technical Requirements for Certification:

• IPV6 Functional requirements
• Electrical Safety (Inclusive of Power supply and Power Cord)
• EMC
• Marking
• Language

 

IPV6 Functional Requirements:

• A comprehensive test covering all requirements and RFCs as specified in MCMC Technical Code (MCMC MTSFB TC T013:2019)
• Applicant shall declare and provide pre-installed software in submitted sample for testing
• Test to be conducted at SIRIM Lab or at any Accredited or Accepted Laboratory

Mexico

Mexico (NOM) – New Regulation for Batteries, NOM-212-SCFI-2017

Effective September 28, 2019

After its publication in the Mexican Official Gazette, NOM-212-SCFI-2017 is the new Regulation for batteries which establishes the maximum permissible limits of Mercury and Cadmium as well as the labeling requirements for marketing and importing these goods into Mexico. This NOM standard will become mandatory as of September 28th and excludes all batteries that are commercialized as part of an electronic or electrical product or device that requires them for its functioning and operation.

Mexico (CONUEE) – Issues Standard on Energy Efficiency of Refrigerators and Freezers

 

Effective June 24, 2019

The Mexican National Commission for Energy Efficiency (CONUEE) and the National Consultative Committee of Standards for the Preservation and Rational Use of Energy Resources (CCNNPURRE) published Standard NOM-015-ENER-2018 on Energy Efficiency of Refrigerators and Freezers.

This standard sets out the maximum power consumption limits for refrigerators, refrigerators/freezers, and household freezers. It applies to domestic refrigerators, freezer/refrigerators for domestic use up to 1104 L and domestic freezers up to 850 L operated by hermetic compressor marketed in the national territory.

The following equipment are excluded from the scope:

• Products included in Official Mexican Standard NOM-022-ENER/SCFI-2014 on Energy Efficiency and User Safety Requirements for Self-Contained Commercial Refrigeration Appliances –  Limits, Methods of Testing and Labeling
• Wine coolers, wine cellars, water coolers, and water dispensers

It establishes the maximum energy consumption limits for refrigerators and freezers operated by hermetic compressors, the test methods for determining such energy consumption and calculates the total refrigerated volume.

It also specifies the labeling requirements. The Energy Efficiency Label must be affixed to all household refrigerators and freezers marketed in Mexico and must provide information on the energy consumption of the product in comparison with other similar products of the same type, capacity, and defrosting system. It must also contain all the information listed in Paragraph 10.3.

• June 24, 2019 – This standard will come into force for refrigerators and freezers with capacities equal to or greater than 550 L
• June 18, 2020 – The Standard will come into force for refrigerators and freezers with capacities equal to or greater than 400L
• June 13, 2021 – The Standard will come into force for all refrigerators and freezers and Standard NOM-015-ENER-2012 will be completely superseded by Standard NOM-015-ENER-2018

.

Mexico – Draft Mexican Official Standard, PROY-NOM-230/2-SCFI-2018, Microwave Equipment for Point-To-Point and Point-To-Multipoint Multichannel Fixed Systems, Part 2: Transport

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Mexican Ministry of the Economy released the draft Mexican Official Standard. It sets forth the technical specifications and corresponding test methods to be satisfied by microwave radio communications equipment used in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint multichannel fixed systems operating in the following bands:

(a) 7 GHz: 7.1245 GHz-7.2365 GHz/7.2855 GHz-7.3975 GHz 7.4525 GHz-7.5645 GHz/7.6135 GHz 7.7255 GHz

(b) 10.5 GHz: 10.1500 GHz-10.3000 GHz/10.5000 GHz-10.6500 GHz

(c) 15 GHz: 14.5010 GHz-14.5850 GHz/15.2290 GHz-15.3130 GHz 14.6480 GHz-14.8440 GHz/14.9630 GHz-15.1590 GHz

(d) 23 GHz: 21.2275 GHz-21.6475 GHz/22.4595 GHz-22.8795 GHz 21.8000 GHz-22.3000 GHz/23.0000 GHz-23.5000 GHz

(e) 38 GHz: 37.0580 GHz-37.2260 GHz/38.3180 GHz-38.4860 GHz

All microwave radio communications equipment used in point-to-point and point to multipoint multichannel fixed systems that is subject to this draft Mexican Official Standard and is to be imported, marketed and/or distributed in the territory of the United Mexican States, must satisfy the specifications set forth in Technical Provision IFT 014 2018: Microwave equipment for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint multichannel fixed systems; Part 2: Transport.

Philippines

Philippines (NTC) – Type Approval/Acceptance of Equipment Based on Specific Radio Module

 

Effective August 7, 2019

 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced that all product requiring Type Approval/Acceptance of RF/Telecom Module and host/end product with embedded or built-in RF/Telecom module must be type approved and accepted as per specific integrated/installed RF Module.

 

Equipment with single Regulatory Model Name (RMN) with multiple marketing model name shall be issued a certificate per marketing model basis.

South Africa

South Africa (ICASA) – Notice of Intention to Amend Annexure B of The Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) published a notice to make amendments to the South African Frequency Plan.

These regulations are called the Amended Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulation, 2019 and will come into force on the date of publication in the Government Gazette.

Taiwan

Taiwan (NCC) – Type Approval

Effective January 25, 2019

The National Communications Commission (NCC) released updates on NCC Type Approval, which included the following:

• Devices with passive RFID/NFC tags require to get NCC LP0002 approval if the passive tag is activated by the device’s power source which come from either a battery or AC power also considered as an active RFID.
• For devices that have I/O ports, the test lab needs to approve all functions evaluated and the worst result/scenario set for the final test. In addition, if the product package includes these accessories or cables, such as HDMI or USB cable, they shall be connected during testing and listed on the test report stating these cables are the same as those in the product package. In case that the product package does not include these types of cables, the type of cables that were set during the test need to be mentioned in the test report.

Thailand

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

 

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) proposed the draft compulsory Thai industrial standard for self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services by rated voltage >50 V: safety requirements (TIS 2780-25xx (20xx)).

 

This standard specifies safety and inter-changeability requirements, together with the test methods and conditions, required to show compliance of LED-lamps with integrated means for controlling starting and stable operation (self-ballasted lamps), intended for domestic and similar general lighting purposes, having:

• a rated wattage up to 60 W;
• a rated voltage of > 50 V up to 250 V;
• caps according to Table 1

 

The requirements of this standard relate only to type testing.

Recommendations for whole product testing or batch testing are identical with IEC 62031 Annex C.

US

US (FCC) – 47 CRF Part 20, Revisions to Reporting Requirements Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Handset

 Effective August 1, 2019

 The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB or the Bureau) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection and record keeping requirements associated with the recently amended hearing aid compatibility provisions addressing wireless service provider record retention, website posting, and certification filing requirements and announces the date by which service providers must be in compliance with these provisions.

Compliance with 47 CFR 20.19(e), (h) and (i) is required as of September 3, 2019. The § 20.19(i) service provider certification filing requirement must be completed between the compliance date and no later than 30 days after the compliance date.

Vietnam

Vietnam (MIC) – Circular 05/2019/TT-BTTTT

 

Effective September 1, 2019

 

Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) released Circular 05/2019/TT-BTTTT dated 09 July 2019 to replace Circular 04/2018/TT-BTTTT.

 

Key changes:

1. Type Approval Certificate and DoC granted based on expired or expiring National Technical Regulation (QCVN) and National Technical Standards (TCVN) shall be invalid from September 1, 2019 and need to be renewed with new standards
2. MIC listed all applicable HS code and product description under MIC regulatory scope to enable easier identification of the control item. However, MIC does not confirm the HS code, if a product is having a different HS code but having a same product description, it will still under MIC regulatory approval scope
3. QCVN 117:2017/BTTTT – New RF standard for LTE will be implemented. Type approval and DOC are required
4. Server, Router, Gateway, Firewall (without wireless connection) have been removed from the list of product under MIC regulatory approval. These products can be shipped into Vietnam and no MIC certificate is required
5. Remove requirement on DVB-T of QCVN 63:2013/BTTTT and remove requirement on transportation (UN 38.3) of QCVN 101:2016/BTTTT due to existing requirements

 

All the Type Approval Certificate and test reports which have been granted for below listed products shall be invalid and need to be renewed with new technical regulations from September 1, 2019:

(1) Mobile phone, tablet, laptop having 4G LTE connection

(2) Other LTE terminal devices (gateway, router etc.)

(3) W-CDMA FDD repeater

(4) W-CDMA FDD base station

(5) Marine EPIRB beacon

(6) Walkie-Talkie with integrated antenna for speech

(7) Walkie-Talkie with integrated antenna for speech and text message