Thailand: Summary of NBTC approval process
Radio products that are intended to be marketed in Thailand are subject to a mandatory approval process issued by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). Depending on the equipment type, NBTC puts the Product into three categories or types: Class A, Class B (both of them need Conformity Assessment), and Other Products, subject to Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC).
In all of the categories defined above, the NBTC Approval can be obtained by presenting ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test reports. The Type Approval process is very similar for the first two classes and is simplified for the SDoC. Test reports under the European 2014/53/EU Directive may serve as the basis for the technical file, thus avoiding in-country testing.
The lead time is typically 6 weeks to obtain the NBTC Approval and a Local representative is required to apply for the certification.
NBTC Label Requirements
Once the product has been successfully approved by the NBTC and registered, the manufacturer/supplier must mark the product with the NBTC conformity marking, which shall be issued by NBTC upon request, in order to show compliance with NBTC mandatory requirements.
NBTC Labels: From left to right, Class A, Class B, SDoC.
For the Class A example above:
- YYYYYY: Equipment registration number (6 digits)
- ZZ: Registration Year (2 digits)
- XXXX: Supplier’s code (4 digits)
If the correspondent label does not fit on the telecommunications equipment, the supplier must display said label on materials that go together with the equipment, such as the user manual or the packaging.
Sri Lanka: Summary of TRCSL approval process
TRCSL Radio Type Approval is mandatory for the commercialization of telecom and radio equipment in Sri Lanka. Approval is regulated by the national authority, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL). This type approval is comprised of various administrative steps, including obtaining a vendor license, submitting all technical documentation, submitting CE / FCC reports, samples, etc. An authorized importer is required and the validity of the TRCSL type approval is 3 years.
The TRCSL is the body in charge of providing the Type Approval Certification. First, the Authority will issue a Provisional Type Approval valid for 6 months. After that, the Full Type Approval will be issued. The technical file can contain CE/FCC Test Reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratory, however one normal sample is required for the TRCSL.
The process to obtain the TRCSL Approval typically takes 8 weeks.
TRCSL Label Requirements
The permit number issued with the TRCSL type approval should be displayed clearly on every piece of equipment in a permanent manner.
Vietnam: Summary of MIC approval process
The MIC (Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam) is responsible for determining the national technical standards that must be complied with in order to ensure proper functionality of the radio equipment that is intended to be marketed in Vietnam. At the same time, the VNTA (Vietnam Telecommunications Authority) is the Authority responsible for creating the processes required to obtain type approval.
According to Local Regulation, as stated in form TT05, Testing shall be performed at VNTA accredited laboratories and shall be carried out according to the test methods described in the corresponding technical standards issued by the MIC.
A local importer is required to obtain the MIC Approval. The average lead time for obtaining the approval is 9 weeks.
MIC Label Requirements
A regulation conformity mark is a label that denotes the conformity of products with current MIC technical regulations. A Conformity Mark shall be placed on the product itself, the packaging or the user manual as follows:
Where:
- ICT: Abbreviated name in English for Information and Communications Technology.
- CODE: Management Code issued by the CB
- NAME: Name of the CB that deals with the MIC Approval
Hong Kong: Summary of OFCA approval process
The OFCA (Office of the Communications Authority) operates the Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification (HKTEC) Scheme for the evaluation and certification of telecommunications and radio equipment. The OFCA is the National Authority in Hong Kong.
OFCA Approval is based on two schemes: on one hand, the Compulsory Certification (CCS), which covers products such as Citizen Band, Aeronautical Mobile Radio, etc. And on the other hand, the Voluntary Certification Scope (VCS), which includes cellular Mobile equipment, Short Range Devices (SDR), etc. Equipment under the VCS can be marketed or used in Hong Kong without a valid certification that demonstrates its compliance with the relevant technical specifications. However, manufacturers, suppliers and dealers must ensure that their equipment complies with the relevant technical specifications even if they do not apply for the certification.
In order to obtain the OFCA Approval, applicants need to apply to a Recognized CB, and all testing activities must take place at an Accredited ISO17025 Lab according to the OFCA Standards. The average lead time for obtaining the OFCA Approval is 8 weeks.
OFCA Label Requirements
Product labelling according to the OFCA requirements is voluntary. Manufacturers, suppliers and dealers are encouraged to place labels on their certified equipment for consumer guidance.
A label shall be issued as seen below and can be placed on equipment that has been certified by a CB in compliance with the prescribed specifications:
With the following format guidelines:
- English text found in the upper portion: black and Arial font.
- Chinese text found in the upper portion: black and 中 黑 體.
- Border: black.