This page lists common questions and answers concerning Radio Standards and Certification, Terminal Equipment registration as well as conformity assessment procedures with ISED. This content is based on inquiries submitted to ISED’s Certification & Engineering Bureau (CEB) and the Directorate of Regulatory Standards (DRS).
General Inquiries Form: If you do not find the answer to your question, you may use this form to submit an inquiry to CEB or DRS. Additionally, questions related to certification/registration applications may also be submitted via this form
General Notices: Provides additional information related to standards and process.
Note: In the event of a discrepancy between an answer provided on this page and the text in a related technical standard/procedure, the text in the related technical standard/procedure shall take precedence.
Subject
Applicable Standards
Question number | Date (YYYY-MM-DD) | CEB/DRS | Category | Applicable Standards | Tags | Question | Answer |
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1 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | Switching power supply, power supply, inverter, converter, electric vehicle, EV | Are any ICES standards applicable to power supplies, converters and inverters? |
Switching power supplies and semiconductor converters, when not incorporated in equipment, as well as semiconductor rectifiers and inverters are listed in Annex A of the CISPR 11 standard referenced in ICES-001 as examples of group 1 industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment. As such, they are under the scope of ICES-001. However, when such a power supply, converter, rectifier or inverter is marketed together with other equipment, or is marketed independently but is exclusively intended for use with specific equipment, then the following ISED standard applies:
In the second case, b), the power supply, converter, rectifier or inverter shall be considered as an integral part of the equipment under test (EUT), together with the equipment it is intended for, as one system-type EUT. For example, the power supply, converter, rectifier or inverter shall be included in the EUT arrangement and placed on the support table together with the equipment (when this is tabletop) during radiated emission measurements. Examples for the second case, b), are power supplies, converters, rectifiers or inverters intended for:
When the power supply, converter, rectifier or inverter is verified together with the equipment it is intended for, against the ISED standard applicable to that equipment, the labelling requirements in the corresponding standard shall apply to the equipment itself and are also recommended (but not mandatory) for the power supply, converter, rectifier or inverter. |
2 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Grandfathering, transition period, new issue, old issue | Can products that were already on the market at the end of the transition period continue to use the old issue of the applicable standard? |
Any product placed on the Canadian market must comply with the applicable standard at the time when it is manufactured, imported, distributed, leased, offered for sale, or sold in Canada. When the applicable standard is updated and the transition period expires (which means that the old edition of that standard is no longer valid), the product‘s test report must be updated to demonstrate compliance of the product in question with the latest version of the standard. In many cases, the changes can be as simple as adding some text (e.g. a new page) to the report, explaining why the changes made to the standard do not affect the product’s compliance. In case of Category I equipment, there is no need to update the certification submission or the REL listing, provided the equipment complies with the latest edition of the applicable standard(s), as per the above. In this case, the updated test report shall be kept on file by the manufacturer / importer for as long as the product is manufactured, imported, distributed, leased, offered for sale, or sold in Canada and it shall be made available to ISED upon request during this time. For additional information, see the following links:
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3 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Special Authorization, Retroactivity | Can a Special Authorization be granted retroactively? |
No, a special authorization cannot be granted retroactively. If a product has previously been certified, and subsequent testing reveals that the device does not meet the applicable ISED standards (in some, or all, aspects), that product would now be considered non-compliant. In that case, when a company realizes their product is non-compliant, there is no avenue for asking for a retroactive special authorization. The company would need to take steps to bring the device into conformity with the regulatory standards. Should an audit by ISED discover such a non-compliance, there are a range of compliance and enforcement actions that could be taken by the department, including removing the product from the market. In all cases, the responsibility falls on the company to ensure their products are in compliance with all regulations at all times. |
4 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Labeling, experimental equipment | Does equipment imported or manufactured exclusively for the purpose of testing under a developmental license has any labelling requirements for ISED? | Depending on the product, there can be labelling requirements. For instance, Section 5.1.2 of ICES-Gen does provide the labelling requirements for interference-causing equipment that is used solely for purposes of research and development, experimentation, demonstration or assessment of marketability. |
5 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Certification | Can I certify my product using a draft version of an RSS under revision (e.g. a standard currently under consultation)? | No. All equipment must be certified using a published RSS which appears on ISED’s official publications page. A draft is not a final document and can change before it is officially published / adopted. |
6 | 2021-06-04 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Certification | Can Category I equipment be imported into Canada for research / testing purposes without the need for certification? | Category I equipment used solely for the purpose of research and development, experimentation, demonstration or assessment of marketability is exempt from certification and labelling requirements but may be subject to a developmental licence. Please visit the Developmental License Playbook for more information. |
7 | 2021-06-04 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Certification, Technology in RSS | Do RSS standards specify the equipment’s technology in a specified band (e.g. LTE, 5G, etc.?) |
Typically, RSS standards are developed to be technology neutral. Therefore, equipment must meet the frequency range and technical specifications in the applicable standard, regardless of the underlying technology. |
8 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | Transition Period, Certification Bodies, Assessment Cyle | Are Certification Bodies automatically recognized for new issues of an RSS if the changes do not require modifying their technical assessments? | Certification Bodies shall limit their certification activities to their scope(s) of accreditation for which recognition was issued, unless a bulletin for a newly published or revised RSS and/or BETS provides specific instructions. |
9 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement; Scope Interpretation | General | Transition Period | Can old test reports be used to demonstrate compliance, when applying for certification? |
For equipment certification, the test report shall not be dated more than 12 months before the application for equipment certification is submitted. The tests within the test report may have been conducted more than 12 months before this date but must remain valid with the applicable requirements. |
10 | 2021-06-01 | DRS | Standard Requirement; Scope Interpretation; Special Authorization | General | 5G, FR2, mmWave | Which RSS will apply to devices operating in the mmWave bands, for example in the 24.25-56 GHz (FR2) frequencies? | ISED has issued a policy decision regarding use of mmWave frequencies. For the FR2 frequencies, the frequency bands 26.5-28.35 GHz and 37-40 GHz have been identified for flexible usage and equipment will be covered under future issue of RSS-191 (currently, the standard does not reflect these changes). |
11 | 2021-04-29 | DRS | Standard Requirement; Scope Interpretation | General | Certification | How do I know if a product I purchased is certified for Canada? |
All certified radio products are listed in the Radio Equipment List (REL). You can search for the product with various parameters such as the model number or certification number. For details, see RSP-100 for labelling requirements. |
12 | 2021-04-29 | DRS | Standard Requirement; Scope Interpretation | General | RSS, Radio Standards | Where can I find the Canadian technical requirements (standards) for radio equipment? | The list of radio standards is found on the ISED website. |
13 | 2021-05-18 | DRS | Standard Requirement; Scope Interpretation | General | Certificaton | If no Canadian standard exists, how is radio equipment certification obtained? |
Certification will not be issued until an applicable standard has been formulated. For more information please contact our Cerfication Bureau at ic.certificationbureau-bureauhomologation.ic@canada.ca. |
14 | 2021-05-18 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | Company Registrations | How is a Company Number (CN) obtained? |
For more information, please contact our Certification Bureau at ic.certificationbureau-bureauhomologation.ic@canada.ca |
15 | 2021-04-29 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | Fees | What are the fees or listing fees? |
Please visit the following link for information regarding certification fees. Examples of fee calculations. Additional Information regarding fees. |
16 | 2021-05-18 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | TAT, Turn Around Time, Processing Time | What is the turn-around time to obtain equipment certification? | ISED applications are normally approved and granted within 14 calendar days provided the submitted application is complete and accurate. |
17 | 2023-11-07 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | FCC Test Report, FCC Grant, FCC Certification | If I want to apply for certification in Canada and my equipment is already certified by the FCC, will Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada accept the test report that was produced for the FCC? |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will accept a FCC test report with the following conditions:
IMPORTANT NOTE: This guidance does not apply to RF Exposure test reports. Due to the significant difference between FCC and ISED RF Exposure requirements, FCC RF Exposure test reports will not be accepted. A test report issued specifically to show compliance to the requirements of RSS-102 and its companion documents is mandatory. |
18 | 2021-04-29 | DRS | Standard Requirement | General | Non-compliances, Report Non-compliances; | How do I report a product that is not certified or not compliant as per Canadian Requirements? |
If you wish to report any compliance issues, please complete a Non-Compliance Report form. Once you have reported a non-compliance case, you will receive an acknowledgement by email. ISED will conduct a study and may contact you for more information.
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19 | 2021-05-18 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | FCC certification, Canadian certification, | Is FCC certification required to obtain ISED certification? | No, FCC certification is not required to obtain ISED certification. To obtain ISED certification, radio equipment must comply to applicable Canadian requirements. |
20 | 2021-06-01 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | General | FCC certification, Canadian certification, | Do I still need to obtain ISED certification if my device is already FCC certified? | Yes, products entering the Canadian market must be ISED certified. A FCC certification alone does not suffice. |
21 | 2021-04-30 | DRS | General Standard Inquiry | ICES-Gen | Product Labels | The labelling requirements in some ICES product standards seem to be different than those specified in ICES-Gen. Which one is correct? |
The labelling requirements specified in ICES product standards are all referring to ICES-Gen, but they also give an example label, specific to that ICES standard. The general normative requirements for the label are specified in ICES-Gen, but the format is left to the manufacturer to decide. ICES-Gen also includes three example formats that would be acceptable for a Class A ICES-003 device. |
22 | 2021-06-09 | DRS | General Standard Inquiry | ICES-001; ICES-003 | Appliance, CISPR 14, snow blower, snow thrower, lawn mower, generator, sump pump, irrigation pump | Is CISPR 14-1 adopted as a Canadian regulatory standard? | CISPR 14-1 has not been adopted in Canada as a regulatory standard. However, certain products which are typically covered in CISPR 14-1, are in the scope of ICES-001 (for example, induction cooking appliances or ultrasonic humidifiers). |
23 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | General Standard Inquiry | ICES-001; ICES-005 | Ultraviolet, UV, infrared, IR, irradiator, radiation apparatus, UV Lighting | Are any ICES standards applicable to Ultraviolet (UV) / Infrared (IR) irradiators? | IR and UV radiation apparatus are subject to ICES-005 . However, radiation apparatus which are microwave-powered are subject to ICES-001 (see https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf00018.html). |
24 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Band Use Scope Interpretation Standard Requirement |
ICES-002; ICES-003 | Information technology equipment, ITE, digital, vehicle, EV, boat | Does ICES-003 apply to information technology equipment (ITE) / digital apparatus exclusively intended for installation in a vehicle / boat? |
If the ITE or digital apparatus is exclusively installed in the vehicle / boat at the factory, before the vehicle / boat is placed on the market, then ICES-003 does not apply. In this case, the ITE or digital apparatus is verified together with the vehicle/boat against ICES-002. However, if the ITE or digital apparatus is (also) marketed independently, e.g. for post-market installation in a vehicle/boat, then the ITE or digital apparatus has to comply with ICES-003. |
25 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-005 | Stabilization Time | Given that ICES-005 accepts both CISPR and ANSI testing methods, and only one specifies a stabilization time, does a product that ‘fails’ during stabilization time considered to pass or fail compliance to ICES-005? |
The requirements for stabilization time are only specified in CISPR 15. However, the same requirements may also exist in the future ANSI C63.29 standard (currently in development, and which will apply specifically to lighting equipment). As such, even though ANSI C63.4 does not have any requirements on stabilization time, we would not consider a lighting equipment that fails the limits in ICES-005 during the startup period as actually failing the requirements of ICES-005, as long as that lighting equipment passes the other limits therein after the stabilization time expires. |
26 | 2021-03-17 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-Gen | SDoC | When conducting a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), does the company or manufacturer need to have a legal entity in Canada or can it be signed by a party outside Canada’s jurisdiction? |
Typically, the manufacturer will be performing the testing / labelling in accordance with the technical standard. The SDoC is accomplished through the labelling of the product (similar to the CE mark in Europe, or the FCC mark in the U.S.). The manufacturer can be located in another country without being a Canadian legal entity. For importers and distributors, they have a legal responsibility to ensure the equipment they are importing or distributing is in compliance with ISED’s technical standards. This can be done by verifying with the manufacturer that the device was tested and is in compliance with ISED’s rules, including labelling requirements. If the manufacturer did not test the devices for Canada, the importer would have the responsibility to perform the testing/labelling before placing any product for sale on the Canadian market. For more information on the conformity regimes, please see: |
27 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Modules, Full Modular Approval, Limited Modular Approval, LMA | What is the difference between Full Modular Approval (MA)and Limited Modular Approval(LMA)? |
The detailed requirements for Modular Aproval are stated in RSP-100 Form D. |
28 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Host, Modules, Full Modular Approval, Limited Modular Approval, LMA | What are the requirements for integrating a certified radio module into a host device? |
The host device requirements are dependant on the type of certification of the module being integrated, Limited Modular Approval or Full Modular Approval. The module(s) shall be integrated into host products as per the requirements/instructions for intended use/configuration provided by the module certificate holder. Host products and associated modules (i.e. final product) shall meet all applicable requirements set out in RSS-GEN, including the radio frequency (RF) exposure compliance requirements in RSS-102. |
29 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Host, Modules, Full Modular Approval, Limited Modular Approval, LMA | Does my device need certification if it contains a certified radio module? |
Host products do not require certification provided they contain certified radio modules and do not contain any other radio transmitters. Host products and associated modules (i.e. final product) shall meet all applicable requirements set out in RSS-GEN, including the radio frequency (RF) exposure compliance requirements in RSS-102. |
30 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Test Labs, Certification Bodies, CBs | What are Test Labs and CBs (Certification Bodies)? |
Testing Laboratories and Certification Bodies that are recognized by ISED are listed on ISED's website. Testing laboratories test the products according to the required Canadian regulations for radio certification with ISED. Certification Bodies are recognized independent organizations who conduct certification of radio-communication equipment for the purpose of sale in the Canadian market. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/mutual-recognition-agreements/en/conformity-assessment-bodies |
31 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Test Labs, Certification Bodies, CBs, New Product, New Certification | I have a product that I would like to get certified. How can I do it? |
Certification of a product requires various steps and documents which are detailed in RSP-100. The product must comply with Canadian regulations and standards. The application can be submitted electronically, using the Equipment Certification Services provided on the Spectrum Management System website. Generally, applicants utilize the expertise of Testing Laboratories and Certification Bodies to obtain certification with Canada. |
32 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Documents Required, Certification Process | Which procedure provides guidance on submitting a certification application for radio equipment? |
The procedure to apply for radio equipment certification is RSP-100. The Form/Annex A andForm/Annex B from RSP-100 must be completed and signed. These Annex forms and other required documents must accompany your application. |
33 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Documents Required, Certification Process | What documents do we need to submit for radio certification? |
The requirement for documents varies according to the type of application and services required. Please see Annex/Form C of RSP-100 for complete list of document. |
34 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Family Certification, Multiple HVINs | What is a Family Certification? |
When multiple product versions (identical or similar products) with unique PMN, HVIN and FVIN combination are certified under one certification number, it is referred to as family certification. Multiple versions can be listed in the Radio Equipment List with one application or multiple applications over time. Please see the additional requirements for family certification in RSP-100. |
35 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Multiple Listing | What is a Multiple Listing? |
When the existing certificate holder or an another entity/company (new applicant) requests a new certification number based on an existing certification, it is referred to as a multiple listing application. Please see the additional requirements for a multiple listing in RSP-100. |
36 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Reassessments, Permissive Change, C1PC, C2PC, C3PC, C4PC | What is required if we modify certified equipment? |
When certified equipment is modified, the extent of the modifications will determine the required actions for the client. If the product modifications require notification to ISED, then a permissive change application (reassessment) is required to be submitted. The requirements for permissive change application(s) are provided in detail in the RSP-100. |
37 | 2021-05-18 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Reassessments, Permissive Change, C1PC, C2PC, C3PC, C4PC | What is a Class I/II/III/IV (C1PC, C2PC, C3PC, C4PC) Permissive Change? |
Any modifications to a certified product may require recertification with ISED. The various types of modifications are divided into four categories and referred to as Permissive Changes. The requirements for different types of changes to a certified product are detailed in RSP-100. |
38 | 2021-05-18 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Retain Product Samples, Market Surveillance, Certification Bodies | Do I have to provide certified product samples for market surveillance activities by the Certification Bodies (CBs) or Certification Bureau of ISED? |
Post-certification audits will be conducted by ISED and the CB in order to ensure continuing compliance. The technical acceptance certificate (TAC) holder shall provide random radio product samples at the certificate holder’s expense, when requested by ISED or the CB, for post-certification audit testing, or for determining radio interference. |
39 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSP-100 | Terminal Equipment, Dual Certification | My terminal equipment has wireless transmitter as well which requires certification. Can the terminal registration and radio certification be done in one application? |
Yes, the application can be submitted to ISED with one certification number which will also be a terminal registration number. It is considered a Dual Certification (Terminal and Radio). |
40 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-102 | Reassessments, Permissive Change, C1PC, C2PC, C3PC, C4PC | Do I need to perform SAR measurements if my product is modified. | There are many factors that need to be considered for SAR requirements. ISED recommends that you review the guidance on ISED website at the link below. (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ceb-bhst.nsf/eng/h_tt00080.html) |
41 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-111 | RSS-111,MIMO, Testing | Can massive input – massive output (MIMO) capable equipment be certified under RSS-111? |
Yes, If MIMO-capable equipment complies with all requirements in RSS-111, the equipment can be certified under this standard. Standards are intended to be technology neutral. RSS-111 covers equipment with multiple transmitters in Section 5.3.1. |
43 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-192 | 5G, FCC KDB, Measurement | If the device has two or more antenna ports, is the measured value of each antenna port combined to determine the total conducted power? | When the limit is specified per single antenna port, then each port of a device that has two or more ports must comply with the applicable limits. However, if the limit is not per single antenna port, then the measured conducted power from each port should be combined and compared to the limit. |
44 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-199 | NB IoT | Does ISED plan to revise RSS-199 to allow 3GPP NB IoT operation? Is it possible to certify a base station transmitter that supports NB IoT? |
The introduction of NB-IoT equipment in the band 2500-2690 MHz would need to be consulted with interested stakeholders prior to modification of the standard. ISED would re-visit this matter the next time the standard is revised. Accordingly, all equipment operating in the frequency band 2500-2690 MHz, including base station, must meet the requirements in the current RSS-199. |
45 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-220 | RSS-220, UWB, antenna | Are ground penetrating radar (GPR) antenna systems approved by Innovation, Science and Industry Canada ? |
Antennas per say do not require approval by ISED. However, should the technology to be used be ultra-wideband (UWB), then the UWB GPR device is required to comply with the requirements prescribed in RSS-220. Certification of these types of devices is required. |
46 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-220 | RSS-220, UWB, key fob, handheld category | Which category of RSS-220 encompasses an ultra-wideband (UWB) key fob system (i.e. UWB component within the key fob and onboard the vehicle)? |
Vehicular key fob systems (i.e. both the key fob itself and the onboard vehicle UWB component), using ultra-wideband technology, fall under the handheld category and shall apply the requirements of that category. |
47 | 2021-03-04 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-220 | RSS-220, UWB, harmonization, 161-31 GHz, 31-475 GHz | Why are ISED’s limits different from the FCC’s for the 1.61-4.75 GHz frequency band? |
The Department seeks to harmonize as much as possible. However, in this particular case, the Department implemented different limits than the FCC’s limits for the 1.61-4.75 GHz frequency band in order to protect services such as the mobile service in adjacent frequency bands. It should be noted that for the frequency band from 4.75 GHz to 10.6 GHz, the Department has harmonized limits. |
48 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-220 | RSS-220, UWB, outdoor device, handheld device, localization | Can ultra-wideband (UWB) be used outdoors for localization? | Yes, UWB technology under the handheld category can be used for localization. All requirements applicable to the handheld category prescribed in RSS-220 shall apply. |
49 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-220 | RSS-220, UWB, outdoor device, handheld device, localization | In addition to RSS-220, are there other applicable standards for ultra-wideband (UWB) technology? | Yes, there are other standards and requirements to consider in addition to RSS-220. For example, RSS220 normatively references RSS-GEN and its own applicable normative references. |
50 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-251 | RSS-251, vehicular radar, robot, warehouse | Is a mobile robot used in a warehouse considered a “vehicle” as per RSS-251 ? | Yes, a mobile robot used in a warehouse is considered a vehicle as per the RSS-251 if the vehicular radar is used to support maneuvering the area, avoiding accidents, etc. |
51 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-310 | Infrared remotes, remote controls, IR remotes, IR | Now that RSS-310 has removed the exemption related to infrared devices, what is the implication specifically for infrared remote controls? |
While the frequency band 300 GHz – 3 THz does fall within the scope of the Radiocommunication Act, ISED does not currently prescribe any specific regulatory requirements for the infrared transmitter itself other than ICES-003 (due to the use of digital circuitry in the remote control for controlling and conditioning the data sent through the infrared transmitter). As such, equipment such as remote controls continue to only require compliance to ICES-003. The intention of the change to RSS-310 was intended to ‘future-proof’ the regulations in light of the continuing evolution with regards to spectrum uses. |
52 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSS-GEN | Certification | Do I need a separate HVIN for the left and the right earpiece of the wireless headphones? |
ISED allows the two headphones to be certified under one HVIN or two HVINs. If the applicant wishes to have two HVINs(one for left and one for right), ISED will accept the HVINs as Family Certification. |
53 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSS-GEN | Product Label | Is the “IC:” prefix for a certification number still acceptable or should it be “ISED:”? | As per RSP-100, the correct prefix is still “IC:” for the certification number. |
54 | 2021-04-28 | CEB | Certification Process | RSS-GEN | Canadian Representative | Do we need a Canadian Representative? |
An applicant who does not have a Canadian address and contact, must provide in writing the identity of a contact representative located in Canada who is capable of responding to enquiries and who can provide post-certification audit samples at no charge to ISED. The requirement is further detailed in RSP-100. |
55 | 2021-05-18 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-GEN | Category I, Category II, Categories | What is the difference between Category I equipment and Category II equipment? |
Category I equipment must meet the requirements of the applicable Canadian standard(s) and requires certification. Category II equipment must also meet the requirements of the applicable Canadian standard(s) but is exempt from certification. (subsection 4(2) and 4(3) of the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations.) (https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ceb-bhst.nsf/eng/h_tt00082.html) |
56 | 2022-09-07 | CEB | Standard requirement interpretation; Compliance | RSS-GEN; ICES-GEN | Labeling, exemption, ICES, CEB, authorization, RSS | My product is very small and I can not place a label on the product. Can I get an exemption? |
Label exemption requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. To obtain such an authorization, please submit a request to the Certification and Engineering Bureau with:
If it is determined that the request is valid, the Certification and Engineering Bureau will issue an authorization for an alternative label placement, such as in the user manual and/or product packaging. However, in case of devices with size smaller than two and a half centimetres in axes of dimension (e.g., earbuds and hearing aids), if the product label information cannot be placed on the device itself, the product label information shall be placed in the manual and on the packaging. For these small devices, label exemption request to ISED CEB is not required. |
57 | 2021-04-29 | CEB | Certification Process | RSS-GEN | Import, Importing Requirements | Can I import devices that are not certified yet but are going through the process of certification? |
No person shall manufacture, import, distribute, lease, offer for sale, sell, install or use equipment which is not certified and not listed in REL Radio apparatus used solely for the purpose of research and development, experimentation, demonstration or assessment of marketability are exempt from certification and labelling requirements but may be subject to a developmental licence. These radio apparatus shall not be leased, sold, or offered for sale in Canada. |
58 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-GEN; RSS-191 | Receiver Spurious Emission | For Millimeter Wave (mmWave) at 30 GHz, to what frequency should testing be conducted for receiver spurious emission? | For mmWave band at 30 GHz, receiver spurious emission measurement are required up to 40 GHz, as stated in RSS-GEN. |
59 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-GEN; RSS-247 | Certification, Use, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, emissions | I’m developing a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device. What emission limits do I need to make sure my equipment complies with? | WiFi or Bluetooth transceivers are subject to RSS-247 requirements. Please refer to RSS-GEN and RSS-247 for detailed emission limits. |
60 | 2021-06-03 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-HAC | RSS-HAC, Certification, transition period | Is RSS-HAC already mandatory for certification? | The certification of RSS-HAC is not mandatory until January 1, 2024. |
61 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | RSS-HAC | RSS-HAC, radio devices | What equipment needs to comply with RSS-HAC? |
RSS-HAC applies only to a subset of radio devices (e.g. cellphones) listed at the following link: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ceb-bhst.nsf/eng/h_tt00124.html |
62 | 2021-05-18 | CEB | Certification Requirements | SPR-002 | SPR-002, RF Exposure, Nerve Stimulation, Specific Absorption Rate, SAR | What test equipment should I use for demonstrating compliance against SPR-002 (nerve stimulation)? |
The test equipment used for nerve stimulation measurements must follow these requirements:
But if the probe has a reduced frequency range, multiple probes may be used to cover the entire frequency range of 3 kHz to 10 MHz
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63 | 2021-03-17 | CEB | Certification Requirements | SPR-002 | SPR-002, RF Exposure, Nerve Stimulation, Specific Absorption Rate, SAR | Does my device fall under the scope of SPR-002 or need to be assessed against the nerve stimulation exposure limits? |
Radio apparatus operating between 3 kHz and 10 MHz falls under the scope of SPR-002. As stated in section 2 of SPR-002, regardless of the power levels, they shall be assessed against the nerve stimulation exposure limits. There are currently no exemption limits for nerve stimulation. Therefore, the exemption from routine evaluation in section 2.5 and Annex/Form C of RSS-102 for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) do not apply to nerve stimulation. |
64 | 2021-11-19 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-003 | ITE, Digital apparatus, Wireless modules | For a product incorporating a radio transmitter, can the transmit function be turned off on the radio module(s) during ICES-003 compliance testing? |
The transmit function of the radio transmitter can be turned off provided it does not affect the emissions from the digital or Information Technology Equipment (ITE) circuitry. Alternatively, if the transmit function is kept on, the emissions related to the radio transmitter can be ignored when assessing compliance with ICES-003 limits. However, this may complicate the test setup since there may be a need to include notch filters or attenuators. In this case, an emission having a level above the applicable ICES-003 limit can be ignored only if it is demonstrated to be generated by the radio transmitter and not by the digital/ITE circuitry. |
65 | 2021-11-19 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-003 | ITE, Digital apparatus, Wireless modules | When testing a product for evaluating its compliance with the ICES-003 radiated emission limits that are applicable above 1 GHz, does the compliance report need to include the results of both the peak and average measurements? |
In case the emission level measured with the peak detector is at or below the average limit, then reporting only the peak detector result is sufficient. If the emission level measured using the peak detector is at or below the peak limit, but above the average limit, the measurement has to be performed with both the peak and average detectors and both results need to be reported. If at least one emission is above the peak limit when measured using the peak detector, reporting only the peak detector results is sufficient, since the device already fails the ICES-003 limits. |
66 | 2021-11-19 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-003 | ITE, Digital apparatus, Wireless modules | Is it mandatory to include a reference to the report demonstrating compliance with the applicable Radio Standards Specification (RSS) standard(s) within the ICES-003 report? |
As stated in the first paragraph of section 1.4 in ICES-003 issue 7, the equipment must comply with both ICES-003 and the applicable RSS standard(s). The simplest way to demonstrate compliance with this requirement is to insert a reference to the RSS report in the ICES-003 report. Alternatively, a combined ICES-003/RSS report can be used. Here’s an example of a reference that can be added to the report: This product has also been tested to and demonstrated to meet the requirements of The applicant (e.g., manufacturer of the digital or Information Technology Equipment (ITE) product) will need to provide this information to the testing laboratory in order for them to include it in the ICES-003 report. |
67 | 2021-11-19 | DRS | Standard Requirement | ICES-003 | ITE, Digital apparatus, Wireless modules | What needs to be included in the ICES-003 test report when the product under test incorporates a previously certified radio module? |
This scenario is addressed in the second paragraph of section 1.4 in ICES-003 issue 7. In this case, the digital/ITE product is considered a “host”, per RSS-GEN, and two requirements apply: labelling of the host; and compliance with RF exposure requirements (per RSS-GEN and RSP-100). Therefore, specific to the test report:
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68 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | Can a testing laboratory issue non-accredited test reports for RSS-248? |
A test lab can issue non-accredited test reports for RSS-248 until its renewal date. However, if the test lab is renewing its recognition, it will be required to add RSS-248 to its scope of accreditation and only issue accredited test reports. Note: Testing laboratories should consult with their accreditation body (AB) to ensure non-accredited test reports are not contravening any AB requirements, such as the use of the AB logo. |
69 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | Can a Certification Body accept a non-accredited test report for RSS-248? | Until May 19, 2024 a Certification Body can accept a non-accredited test report so long as the testing laboratory is currently recognized for RSS-248. |
70 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What is the process to be recognized by ISED as a Canadian Certification Body? | The process to be recognized by ISED as a Canadian Certification Body is outlined in REC-CB. Once the Canadian CB ensures that it meets ISED's requirements for recognition, the online Application for Recognition of a Canadian Certification Body must be submitted to ISED. |
71 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What is the process to be recognized by ISED as a Foreign Certification Body? | The process to be recognized by ISED as a Foreign Certification Body (CB) is outlined in REC-CB. Designating authorities must use the Application for Recognition of a Foreign Certification Body on behalf of the foreign CB to attain recognition. |
72 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What are the requirements for Certification Bodies to have contractual arrangements with testing laboratories? |
Conditions for Certification Bodies (CB) are outlined in REC-CB: ‘’ For the purpose of maintaining current technical competence, knowledge and expertise, CBs shall: Enter into contractual arrangements with testing laboratories located in an MRA economy such that the CB's personnel can have access to testing laboratories personnel and facilities that are capable of performing the required testing and can supervise the testing. These contracted testing laboratories must be recognized by ISED and accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by a recognized accreditation organization or equivalent, under the terms of the MRA. Copies of all contractual arrangements with the testing laboratories shall be provided to ISED by the CB, either directly (Canadian CB) or through the Designating Authority (in the case of a foreign CB), before the recognition is granted.’’ Please see Arrangements/Agreements for the list of economies with which Canada has implemented MRAs. |
73 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What documents need to be provided to ISED when a Certification Body applies for a new recognition, renewal or scope Amendment? |
Certification Body (CB) should provide:
For additional information, please refer to REC-CB - Recognition Procedure and Requirements for Certification Bodies and DES-CB - Procedure for the Designation of Canadian Certification Bodies (CB). |
74 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What documents need to be provided to ISED when a Canadian testing laboratory applies for a designation, renewal or scope amendment to an ISED MRA-Partner? |
For any of the above, the testing laboratory should provide:
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75 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | When a new issue of a standard is published and the standard includes a transition period, when is the testing laboratory expected to update its scope of accreditation? | A testing lab must add the new issue of the standard to their respective ISO/IEC 17025 Scope of Accreditation within two years, or during the re-assessment, unless newly published or revised RSS and/or BETS provides specific instructions. |
76 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | In which cases does ISED accept document review for a scope expansion vs an interim assessment? | ISED will assess this type of request on a case-by-case basis. Such request should be made by email to : mraadmin-adminarm@ised-isde.gc.ca |
77 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | Which standards/specifications do NOT require ISED-recognition? |
Lab recognition is not required for labs testing equipment under the scope of:
Please note that lab recognition is not required for labs testing equipment under the scope of Interference Causing Equipment Standards (ICES) or Category II (EMC only). (https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01340.html). |
78 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | How do I make amendments to our Wireless Device Testing Laboratories listing on ISED’s webpage (contact, address, name change, etc.) | Canadian Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) must submit their request directly to ISED. For foreign CABs, changes to a listing must be requested from the designating authority. |
79 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What are ISED requirements for submitting the technical assessment checklist when there are one or more physical locations? | If applying for one or more physical locations, a unique checklist need to be provided for each location when the scope of accreditation differs. ISED would also accept a single checklist which specifies the scope for each location on the first page. |
80 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | What are ISED requirements for the technical assessment checklist when a scope expansion is sought? | When only seeking a scope expansion through an accreditation body (AB) interim assessment, the AB assessor can partially complete the new checklist for the relevant questions. |
81 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | Can all Testing Laboratories listed on the Wireless Device Testing Laboratories page be used by Certification Body for the purpose of subcontracting? |
The REC-CB procedure clarifies that contracted testing laboratories must be recognized by ISED and located in an MRA economy, and accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by a recognized accreditation organization or equivalent, as per the terms of the MRA. This is not a new requirement. For the purpose of certification, subcontracting is limited to ISED-Recognized testing laboratories located in an economy with which Canada has implemented MRAs or any other equivalent agreement or arrangement (such as Free Trade Agreements). That said, not all testing labs listed on the Wireless Device Testing Laboratories webpage can be used for the purpose of subcontracting. The below information clarifies which economies would be included. Canada has implemented, with the European Union, the Protocol on the mutual acceptance of the results of conformity assessment of the Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This Protocol is the equivalent of an MRA. Following Brexit, Canada has implemented the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement which allows for the continuity of the mutual acceptance of the results of conformity assessment. Under the MRA between Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Canada has implemented the arrangement with the following economies : Australia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United States and Vietnam. In addition to the agreements/arrangements above, Canada has also implemented other agreements with Israel, Mexico, Switzerland and with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway the European Economic Area). More information on agreements/arrangements can be found at the following link: |
82 | 2022-07-18 | DRS | Accreditation Process Conformity Assessment Bodies |
MRA | Certification Body, Test Labs, Test report, Recognition, Renewal | Does ISED recognize equipment certified under other jurisdictions? | No, ISED does not recognize equipment certified under other jurisdictions. Devices entering Canada must comply to the applicable Canadian technical standard. |
83 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Scope interpretation | ICES-001; ICES-002; ICES-003; | Robot, Robots, Mechatronic | Does ISED have specific standards related to robots (industrial, commercial, domestic) or autonomous machines? |
Robots and autonomous machines are subject to the interference-causing equipment standard (ICES) that corresponds to their main function and intended use. As such, industrial, commercial or domestic robots are subject to ICES-001; autonomous vehicles, boats and devices with traction batteries are subject to ICES-002; other types of robots, such as toy robots, are subject to ICES-003. If the robot or autonomous machine incorporates radio modules, then it must also comply with the radio standard specifications (RSS) that apply to the specific radio technology. |
84 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Scope interpretation | ICES-GEN; RSS-GEN | Manufacture, component, product | Do radio equipment standards and interference-causing equipment standards apply to specific components or only to finished products? |
ICES standards apply only to finished products, not to components. RSS standards apply to both finished products and to radio modules (see modular certification in RSS-GEN and RSP-100). Accessories that are independently marketed, such as a wireless computer mouse or a corded external power supply, are finished products and thus subject to the applicable ICES and/or RSS standard. |
85 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Compliance, Scope Interpretation | ICES-003 | Component, External, Module, Enclosure | Which device/component is to be tested for compliance with ICES-003 if the interference-causing component is externally wired to an appliance/electrical machinery? Does the entire appliance/machine require testing? |
Only the external component (e.g., an external thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner) is subject to ICES-003, as opposed to the entire appliance. |
86 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Certification requirements, scope interpretation | RSS-216 | WPT, wireless power transfer | Which types of wireless power transfer (WPT) devices require certification? |
Only type 3 WPT source devices require certification. Details regarding these types of devices, as well as descriptions of other categories of WPT devices and the applicable requirements are specified in RSS-216 |
87 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Scope interpretation | RSS-216; | WPT, wireless power transfer, Qi | Are Qi WPT devices allowed in Canada? What category of WPT devices would they fall under? |
Yes. Many Qi WPT source devices can be classified as Type 1; however, if the transmitted WPT signal is modulated to transmit both power and information to the WPT client device, the Qi WPT source device is classified as Type 2 or Type 3, certification being required for Type 3. Qi WPT client devices are classified as ISM equipment. For additional information, refer to RSS-216. |
88 | 2022-09-07 | CEB | Certification requirements, scope interpretation | General | Certification, component, device | Do individual components in radio devices need to be certified or is it the final device that is certified? |
ISED standards typically applies to final products. However, a radio module can be separately certified, as described under modular certification in RSS-GEN and RSP-100. |
89 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | General standard inquiry, scope interpretation | RSS-247 | LoRa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | What standard applies to LoRa devices? |
LoRa (from “long range”) devices which contain no other type of radio transmitter and operate in the 902-928 MHz band at power level between 15 dBm to 30 dBm, require radio certification under RSS-247 |
90 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Scope interpretation | RSS-247; RSS-248 | Indoor, outdoor, Wi-Fi, IoT, internet of things | Are Bluetooth/Wi-Fi devices installed just outside a building considered indoor? |
No, a device must be inside the building, enclosed by four walls and a roof, to be considered indoor. |
91 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Certification requirements | MRAs | EU, Europe, European Union | Does ISED recognize certification under the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED), also known as Directive 2014/53/EU? |
ISED does not recognize equipment certified under other jurisdictions. Devices entering Canada must be certified under the applicable Canadian technical standard. |
92 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Scope interpretation | RSS-102 | Computational, Measurement, power density | In the recently updated REC-LAB procedure, the scope of accreditation for RF exposure has been split to include both measurement and computational. Is the RF exposure computational scope required to perform simple power density calculations based on the formula S=PG/4πR2? |
The RF exposure computational scope is intended for labs capable of performing computational modelling (simulations) using techniques such as on finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) or finite element method (FEM) to demonstrate compliance with ISED’s specific absorption rate (SAR) and nerve stimulation (NS) limits. Simple power density (MPE) calculations using this formula are not considered as computational modelling. Further clarifications on this can be found in Notice 2022-DRS0002. |
93 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Standard requirement | SPR-002 | Frequency, Emissions | When conducting measurements for compliance to nerve stimulation exposure limits, how can I reduce the investigated frequency range to less than the full 3 kHz to 10 MHz span? |
To reduce the investigated frequency range to less than the full 3 kHz to 10 MHz span, the applicant must demonstrate that:
The characterization is an analysis of the radiated emissions from the DUT over the entire frequency range from 3 kHz to 10 MHz. To ensure proper frequency range reduction, the applicant shall provide spectrum plot(s) over the entire frequency range of 3 kHz to 10 MHz demonstrating that there are no emissions outside the investigated or reduced frequency range. |
94 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Technical interpretation | SPR-004 | FCC, time-averaging period | Is the FCC time-averaging period (100s for 3GHz or lower and 60s for 3GHz-6GHz) acceptable for ISED? |
The FCC time-averaging periods are not acceptable for ISED.
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95 | 2022-09-07 | DRS | Certification requirements | RSS-GEN | New Issue of Standard, New RSS | When a new issue of an RSS is published, do certified devices need recertification to the new issue of that RSS? |
When a new issue of an RSS is published, all devices that continue or start to be placed on the market after the specified transition period expires shall meet the latest RSS issue requirements. For already certified products, a reassessment application to ISED is not required unless the device is required to be retested and values listed in REL require revision due to the new issue of the applicable RSS; however, situations like this are very rare. In most cases, new RSS revisions do not impact the already certified products. Nevertheless, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their products are compliant to the latest issue of the applicable RSS. |
96 | 2023-07-20 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | ICES-001; RSS-102; RSS-216 | Industrial, scientific, medical | Some industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) devices covered under ICES-001 intentionally radiate electromagnetic energy. Are these devices subject to the radio-frequency (RF) exposure requirements in RSS-102? |
ISM equipment are generally not subject to RSS-102. However, wireless power transfer (WPT) source devices (transmitters) covered under RSS-216 are subject to RSS-102 even when classified as Type 1 (i.e., interference-causing equipment). |
97 | 2023-07-20 | DRS | Scope Interpretation | ICES-GEN; ICES-001; ICES-002; ICES-003; ICES-005; ICES-006 | Supplier, Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity, SDoC | Who is “supplier” in the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)? Who is responsible under the SDoC? |
The supplier responsible under the SDoC includes all persons or entities located in Canada who are involved in one of the activities listed in subsection 4(3) of the Radiocommunication Act. These activities are: manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, offering for sale, and sale. Who the supplier is depends on the specific situation. For example, a person or entity importing interference-causing equipment units of a specific model into Canada is the supplier, responsible under the subsection 4(3) of the Radiocommunication Act, as are all persons and entities subsequently involved in the distribution, lease, offering for sale, and sale of such equipment in Canada; but in this scenario the manufacturer, who is not in Canada, is not a supplier responsible under the Act. |