Latest News on International Certification (202408)

Asia

1. India

New Market Surveillance Measures under the Electronic and Information Technology Products Registration Order (Mandatory Registration Requirement) 2021

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) of India has announced new market surveillance measures for products covered by the Electronic and Information Technology Products Registration Order (Mandatory Registration Requirement) 2021, which will come into effect on July 5, 2024. The Software Technology Park of India (STPI) is responsible for carrying out tasks related to market surveillance. STPI randomly selects and purchases samples in the market and sends them to designated BIS-approved laboratories for testing. Manufacturers or licensees must bear the cost of surveillance and cooperate with the surveillance activities, such as updating their contact details and providing necessary documents to avoid penalties under the BIS Act, 2016.

2. Philippines

NTC opens Wi-Fi 6E

On July 5, 2024, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of the Philippines issued Memorandum Circular No. 002-07-2024, which revised Section 2 of Memorandum Circular No. 03-05-2007 regarding the operating frequency bands of HIPERLAN and RLAN short-range devices (SRDS) to open the use of Wi-Fi 6GHz. The notice officially took effect on July 20.

The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) recently updated the new energy efficiency implementation rules for a series of products, including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, monitors, lamps, TVs, energy-saving devices (ESD) and low-voltage energy-saving devices (LVSD)

The new implementation rules will be enforced in July 2026, with a 2-year buffer period. The earliest time that DOE can accept the new regulations is February 2026. From now until the end of June 2026, companies can still ship according to the old regulations, and market supervision is also carried out according to the old regulations.

From July 2026, the new implementation rules will be enforced, and market supervision will also be carried out according to the new regulations.

3. South Korea

The National Radio Research Institute of Korea announced the revision of the "Announcement on the Requirements for Conformity Certification of Broadcasting and Communication Equipment"

According to Announcement No. 2024-61, the revisions include the following, which are expected to take effect in July 2024.

Establish a self-conformity declaration system and update the relevant certification process, and re-classify the conformity certification subjects;

Simplify the conformity certification label management system;

Expand the scope of KC certification objects, and some industrial equipment and beauty equipment that were not originally conformity certification objects will be included in the scope of compulsory certification control.

The National Radio Research Institute of Korea (RRA) revised the "Notice on the Combination Evaluation of Broadcasting and Communication Equipment, etc." in June

Some (not all) audio and information technology products: such as speakers without wireless functions, audio amplifiers, TVs, microphones, digital cameras (including cameras), as well as HUBs, USB converters, adapters, DC power supplies, etc., can apply for KC based on MOU, and no longer need to send samples to Korea for testing.

Middle East

1. Palestine

MTIT was renamed as MTDE The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) in the West Bank of Palestine has been renamed the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy (MTDE).

Africa

1. C?te d’Ivoire

ARTCI warns against forged type approval certificates

The Ivorian Communications Authority ARTCI issued a press release on July 1, 2024, notifying that forged certificates were recently found in circulation, which may mislead consumers.

According to Decree No. 2013-301 of May 2, 2013, ARTCI follows a strict and transparent review process for terminals and wireless devices. Any falsification is a serious violation of current regulations and endangers consumer confidence and public safety. ARTCI strongly condemns and will conduct the necessary investigations by current regulatory provisions to identify and prosecute the persons responsible for these violations.

ARTCI urges everyone to use approved equipment, and the list of approved equipment can be found on the official website.

In addition, ARTCI reminds equipment manufacturers, operators, traders and all other stakeholders that, according to Article 83 of Order No. 2012-293 of March 21, 2012, telecommunications equipment must be approved by ARTCI before being sold.

2. Malawi

MACRA announced that it will soon implement the electronic communication equipment type approval regulations. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority MACRA issued an announcement stating that it plans to implement the 2023 electronic communication equipment type approval regulations. The main contents are as follows:

Type-approved equipment must have a clear label indicating that the equipment complies with MACRA regulations.

MACRA will conduct strict market supervision on type-approved equipment to ensure that the equipment continues to meet regulatory standards.

Brazil

1. Brazil

ANATEL opens Public Consultation No. 36/2024 to phase out 2G and 3G technologies Recently, ANATEL published Public Consultation No. 36/2024 to propose the final shutdown of 2G and 3G technologies. These technologies are considered outdated and insufficient to meet current customer demand for digital services. The phase-out of these technologies will increase the focus on 4G and 5G technologies.

The public consultation will end on September 18, 2024, and includes the following changes: Additions to Act No. 3151:

4.4: Certification of modules or final products of personal mobile service access terminal stations that are only compatible with 3G or lower technologies is not allowed.

4.5: Modules or final products classified as personal mobile service access terminal stations that can make voice calls must support VOLTE (Voice over LTE) technology. Additions to Act No. 3152:

4.5: Certification of mobile phones that are only compatible with 3G or lower technologies is not allowed.

4.6: Mobile phones must support voice calls using VOLTE (Voice over LTE) technology. Modules and products compatible with 3G or lower technologies will be approved only if they meet the spare parts needs of the automotive industry and are explicitly authorized by ANATEL's Certification and Numbering Administration (ORCN).

Equipment approved before the entry into force of this law that is only compatible with 3G or lower technologies can maintain its certification without adjustment to the new requirements.

ANATEL will review the comments from the public consultation, update the relevant items, and publish the final regulations.

The date of publication of the final regulations is currently uncertain and will depend on the number of comments received.

Brazil's ANATEL releases new technical requirements for interactive educational screens On June 28, 2024, the Brazilian Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) published Law No. 9960, outlining a major update to the technical requirements for interactive screens used in educational environments. This update reflects ANATEL's commitment to improving educational technology throughout the classroom by ensuring high standards of safety, performance and compatibility.

Law No. 9960 regulates the approval of new technical parameters that interactive screens must meet for use in educational environments. The law provides for certification based on type testing and periodic evaluation every two years, demonstrating a strong approach to maintaining quality and compliance.

Major changes include: Listed in the Reference List of Telecommunications Products, approved by Law No. 7280 of November 26, 2020: Interactive screens for educational use now fall into the category of "radio frequency devices", reflecting their critical role in modern education. Comprehensive technical evaluation: The law outlines detailed evaluations of the modules' electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and radio frequency. These evaluations ensure that the screens are safe and reliable under a variety of operating conditions.

Specific requirements for communication interfaces: Devices must meet strict standards for wireless and data communication interfaces to ensure seamless connectivity and interaction.

The scope of application of Act No. 9960 is expanded to T-type interactive products designed specifically for educational environments, which include:

Touchscreen functionality: The screen must respond to touch, whether it is a finger, a specific pen or other object.

Connectivity: There must be a wireless network connection.

Operating system: The system should support multi-disciplinary applications that meet the educational standards set by the Ministry of Education and the National Common Curriculum Base.

Application installation: The device should allow the installation of a variety of applications. Design: The device is required to be a single piece, without peripherals or cables for internal module connections, with a single power point and a physical on/off button.

Notably, the bill does not include personal computers, tablets, smart TV boxes, projectors or TVs with interactive frames.

The new regulations will take effect 180 days after publication, which gives manufacturers and educational institutions ample time to adapt to the changes.

2. Ecuador

The draft of the first revision (1R) of the Technical Regulation of the Standardization Council (PRTE) No. 167 "Low Voltage Switching Power Supplies" has been released. This Ecuadorian technical regulation applies to the following domestic or imported products sold in Ecuador: low voltage switching power supplies (SMPS) with a supply voltage of up to 1,000V (AC) or 1,500V (DC) and an output of AC and/or DC.

3. Haiti

CONATEL issues compliance reminder

The Haitian National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) issued a notice on June 13, 2024, reminding equipment manufacturers, laboratories and certification bodies that telecommunications, T and electronic products must be submitted to CONATEL for approval and certification.

4. Paraguay

CONATEL modifies PNAF

The Parafón National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) adopted Resolution No. 1752/2024, which modifies the National Spectrum Allocation Plan (PNAF), allocating the 3300-3700 MHz band to mobile services, specifying the main uses of the 3300-3400 MHz band, the 3600-3700 MHz band and the 3400-3700 MHZ band, and making the following modifications:

Sub-band A: 3300-3350 MHz (50 MHz) Sub-band B: 3350-3400 MHz (50 MHz)

Sub-band C: 3400-3450 MHz (50 MHz)

Sub-band D: 3450-3500 MHz (50 MHz)

Sub-band E: 3500-3550 MHz (50 MHZ) Sub-band F: 3550-3600 MHz(50 MHz)Sub-band G:3600-3650 MHz(50 MHz)Sub-band H:3650-3700 MHz(50 MHz)