On February 26, 2021, ANATEL released the Act nº 1306. This new Act updates Act 14448 (Technical Requirements For Assessing Conformity Assessment of Restricted Radiation Equipment) to include the Wi-Fi 6E technical requirements in the frequency range of 5,925-7,125 MHz (Item 11.7).

The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) is preparing New Guidelines on Type Approval Verification of SIM-enabled devices.

These guidelines will come into effect on January 1, 2022, with the aim to:

・Protect both the ICT networks and the consumers.

・Ensure that only registered devices are used in public networks.

After this date, devices that support SIM function (WWAN devices connected to Network operators) will be required to complete:

1. The type approval registration process.

2. Register their IMEI in the BOCRA database.

For the IMEI registration below information is required:

a. Device Brand and Model.

b. IMEI/TAC number.

c. BOCRA Type Approval ID Number.

Upon successful completion of the verification process, compliant devices will be given access to the network. For non-compliant devices, a notification message will be sent to the individual devices. The non-compliant devices will be denied access to the network until completing the process.

The Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) has recently published the revised Rules and Regulations (NRRR-2021) which came into effect on 1st January 2021.

The National Radio Rules 2011 was repealed by the above Rules and Regulations.

BICMA has also released its National Radio Frequency Allocation Plan 2021 (NRFAP-2021).

On 19 February 2021, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) proposed Interim Provisions on Radio Management of Wireless Charging Equipment (Power Transmission).

This draft regulation aims to regulate the use of wireless charging equipment to avoid harmful interference to all kinds of legally developed radio services.

The wireless charging referred to in this draft regulation refers to the use of magnetic induction, magnetic resonance, and capacitive coupling to realize near-field power transmission technology from the power source to load. Wireless charging equipment is non-radio equipment that radiates radio waves.

The regulations related to micro-power short-range radio transmission equipment do not apply to wireless charging devices.

This draft regulation applies to wireless charging equipment for mobile, portable and electric vehicles (including motorcycles).

The mobile and portable wireless charging equipment should work in the frequency bands of 100-148.5kHz, 6765-6795kHz, 13553-13567kHz, and the rated transmission power should not exceed 50W. The wireless charging equipment for electric vehicles with a rated transmission power greater than 22kW but not more than 120kW should work in the 19-21kHz frequency band, and the one with a rated transmission power not exceeding 22kW should work at 79- 90kHz frequency band.

In accordance with Article 9, the instructions of wireless chargers need to provide certain information, including product name, model, special identification, rated transmission power, operating frequency range, usage scenarios or   usage conditions, disabled area for wireless charging devices, usage extreme environmental conditions, etc.

Companies that produce or   import wireless charging equipment are encouraged to use voluntary certification to ensure quality, they are also encouraged to add or   display special labels for wireless charging equipment before leaving the factory or   before entering China.

This draft regulation proposed that from 1 January 2022, the wireless charging equipment sold and used in China shall comply with these regulations, and the wireless charging devices that have been put into use before the publication of this regulation, can in principle be used until they are scrapped.

The proposal is opened to comments from interested parties until 20 March 2021.

In February 2021, the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission issued a list of technical rules, standards, and specifications for telecommunications and terminal equipment.

These standards and specifications are mandatory to obtain a type approval certificate and to allow telecommunications equipment into the Kingdom. The list covers a range of areas including radio frequency, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), public health and safety, the environment, and restricting the use of hazardous substances (RoHS) for one hundred and forty types and classes of devices.

The list includes specifications for devices that use the following technologies, among others: 

・2G, 3G, and 4G technologies,

・WLAN technology, 

・RFID technology, 

・PSTN technology,

・Short-range devices (SRD),

・Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS).

Based on Article 5C of Decision No. 9-1/2020 on Type Approvals for Wired and Wireless Telecommunication Equipment, any company that aims to obtain a type approval certificate must provide the Commission with technical test reports issued by a testing laboratory. Those should include reports on radio frequency, EMC, Safety, and SAR evaluation, which prove the devices conform to the technical rules, standards, and specifications for telecommunications and terminal equipment.

Malaysia SIRIM announced the implementation of the declaration for adaptors that would come into force from March 1, 2021. All applicants of Type Approval are required to provide a declaration letter from the Principal or   Manufacturer and submit it together with each Type Approval application.

The declaration letter shall follow the template provided by SIRIM, namely the  DECLARATION FOR ADAPTOR NOT SUPPLIED TOGETHER WITH COMMUNICATIONS AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCT TO BE CERTIFIED. The necessary details to be declared:

i)   The regulatory model or   marketing name and brand name of the product to be sold on its own without an adaptor

ii)  The model name of the compatible adaptor(s) for the product specified above

iii) The Certificate Holder’s obligation to obtain a Certificate of Approval (CoA) from the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga) and to affix the SIRIM-ST label on the adaptors

Under a new Conformity Assessment Procedure (PEC) issued by the Mexican Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), effective February 25, 2021. PEC establishes four certification schemes according to the needs of the applicant, and product categories: 

(i) sample by product models for a single lot; 

(ii) sample by product models, and oversight for more than one lot; 

(iii) sample per model family, and oversight;  

(iv) sample by telecommunications or   broadcasting device, and oversight.

Remark: “oversight” procedure means the Accredited Certification Body must carry out compliance monitoring visits in warehouses and points of sale owned or   leased by the CoC owner.

Below are the key points for the New Conformity Assessment Procedure (PEC):

・With the new PEC regulation, the certificate of conformity, test report, and expert opinion become non-transferable. Their holder is required to be the Real Importer. This allows the authority have greater traceability regarding the ownership.

・After February 25 it is not possible to obtain approval of the module. Then, when a host product integrates a module that did not obtain IFT approval before, the host product will require to be certified.

・Products can be certified as a family, considering that: Family is a group of models of a product intended for telecommunications, with the same brand, in which the variants between them are about aesthetic or   appearance, but keeps the same technical characteristics (card for the transceiver/transmitter with the same RF path, chips, components, antenna(s), frequency(s) and technology(s) of operation) and the same functionalities. The user manual for each product model that is part of the family must show the same functionalities.

・The HS code of the product must be provided directly by the customer. The customs authority in Mexico requires an 8-digit HS code. The HS Code information is very sensitive, please suggest the clients verify it first with the Mexican importer.

・The regulation applies to devices subject to the following standards:

NOM-196-SCFI-2016 (IFT-004-2014)

NOM-208-SCFI-2016 (IFT-008-2015)

NOM-218-SCFI-2017 (IFT-005-2016)

NOM-221/2-SCFI-2018 (IFT-011-2017)

On February 26, 2021, the new technical standard IFT-012-2019 for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing and certification entered into force.

IFT-012-2019 applies to products, equipment, or   devices with a radio frequency transmitter or   transceiver, that make use of radio spectrum or   connect to a telecommunications network in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 6 GHz and which are used:

Near the head, particularly close to the ear, in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 6 GHz, and/or   at a distance equal to or   lesser than 200 mm from the human body, in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 6 GHz.

Please note that previously certified devices that fall under the aforementioned specifications must comply with the new regulations and that the testing can exclusively be done by an Accredited Certification Body located in Mexico.

On March 2, 2021, TISI announced in the Royal Gazette new regulation TIS 1195-2561. There is a grace period of 180 days. After August 29, 2021, all product certificates issued under the old standard TIS1195-2536 will be automatically withdrawn.

New standard TIS1195-2561 applies to audio, video, and similar electronic apparatus intended for household and similar general use. Tentative products under mandatory scope are TV, speaker, game console, and its power supply adapter. For products such as video projector, video camera, CCTV camera, tape recorders, external hard disk drive, CD writer, LED/LCD monitor, Wi-Fi router, TISI has not concluded yet if they are under the mandatory scope. 

On 10 March 2021, the Saudi Organization for Standardization, Metrology, and Quality SASO announced that obtaining the IECEE national recognition certificate for some electrotechnical products is becoming mandatory starting from 1 July 2021. 

The NEW products covered by this announcement are:

・Water boilers and kettles

・Coffee makers of all kinds

・Home Electric fryers

・Electric pumps with 5 hp or   less

・Power cables

・Video game consoles and controllers

SASO clarifies that this requirement shall ensure the protection of the market from counterfeit devices and equipment, and it shall protect the consumers from imported products that do not conform to the standards. It also aims to reduce the accidents that these products may cause, and facilitate the entry of goods through customs ports without the need for repeated inspection and testing.

On 9 March 2021, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications issued a Draft National Technical Regulation on short-range radio equipment in the frequency range of 40 GHz to 246 GHz. 

This Draft Regulation applies to general types of radio transmitters and transceivers, operating in the frequency range from 40 GHz to 246 GHz, including:

・radio warning equipment;

・radio remote control equipment;

・magnetic measuring equipment; and

・general data transmission equipment.

The requirements apply to all individuals and companies engaged in the production and trading of applicable devices within Vietnam.

Testing Conditions:

The Draft Technical Regulation contains detailed testing provisions, relating to the appropriate conditions and procedures for testing covered devices in line with the requirements of the Draft Technical Regulation. These provisions relate, inter alia, to the following: environmental conditions for testing; selection of samples for testing; interpretation of measurement results; testing of transmitters; and testing of receivers.

The proposed date of entry into force for this Draft Regulation is 1 January 2022.

The deadline for comments regarding this Draft Regulation is 9 May 2021.

The Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture in Ukraine released Order #84-21 on January 18, 2021, which establishes updated requirements for RoHS approvals.  Starting November 18, 2021, to obtain RoHS approval, compliance to EN/IEC 63000 is necessary and compliance to EN 50581 will no longer be accepted.  Products approved before November 18, 2021, do not require updated RoHS approvals. 

On 19 February 2021, the Taiwan Authority (BSMI) proposed to amend the mandatory commodity inspection rules for electric fans, vacuum cleaners, electric food grinders, electric food mixers, electric juicers, hair perm machines, and electric massage appliances.

This proposed amendment adds products with secondary cells/batteries in the inspection scope.

The secondary lithium cells/batteries used by the 7 products covered by this proposed amendment shall comply with CNS 15364: 2013 and Sections 7.3.8.1 "vibration" and 7.3.8.2 "mechanical shock" of CNS 62133-2: 2018.

The following products will be exempted from the mandatory commodity inspection rules:

・products that only have a USB connection for power supply with an input voltage of DC 5V, without power adapters ,and that are not powered by the secondary battery

・products only charging by automobile power supply with car cigarette lighter adapter and not powered by secondary battery

・products using three-phase voltage or   primary battery as power supply only

・toy products that are subject to inspection as announced by BSMI.

According to this proposed amendment, the revised inspection scope will be implemented from 1 January 2023 for imported and domestic products,

Certificates issued before 31 December 2022 will remains valid until their expiry date.

Interested parties can submit their comments on this proposal until April 20, 2021.