In Canada all Radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment and Terminal equipment are subject to Canadian regulations, therefore, Canadian consumers should verify that equipment meet Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s technical regulations (see below), prior to making any purchases.
Technical regulations can apply to the following types of equipment:
- Radio apparatus - A device or combination of devices intended for, or capable of being used for, Radiocommunication (includes a broad range of equipment from remote car alarms to high-powered broadcast transmitters).
- Interference-causing equipment - Any device, machinery or equipment, other than radio apparatus, that can cause interference to Radiocommunication (includes digital equipment that uses a microprocessor or microcontroller, and Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment such as switching power supplies used in halogen lamps).
- Terminal equipment is a: " telecommunications apparatus such as a wired telephone or modem that can be connected to telecommunications networks of Canadian carriers; and used by a telecommunications service subscriber at their premises”
Different technical regulations apply to different category of equipment as follows:
Category I equipment - Most radio apparatus
Equipment must meet technical regulations and requires certification by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada or a Certification Body Footnote1. All Category I equipment for use in Canada must be labelled with Hardware Version Identification Number (HVIN formerly model number) and certification numberFootnote2. The HVIN and the certification number shall be permanently indicated on the exterior of the product or displayed electronically according to e-labelling requirementsFootnote3. The list of Category I radio equipment that has been certified for use in Canada is found in the Radio Equipment List (REL). Therefore, Canadian consumers should search the Radio Equipment List (REL) prior to purchasing Category I equipment:
Category I equipment includes but is not limited to the following : Broadcasting transmitters, digital scanner receivers, cellular phones, cordless phone, model aircraft remote control, FRS and GMRS devices, LAN devices, remote car Garage door openers and wireless routers.
The use of uncertified Category I equipment contravenes section 4(2) of the Radiocommunication Act which states:
No person shall manufacture, import, distribute, lease, offer for sale or sell any radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment or radio-sensitive equipment for which a technical acceptance certificate is required under this Act, otherwise than in accordance with such a certificate.
Warning on Radiocommunication jamming devices:
Radiocommunication jamming device is a Radiocommunication transmitter designed to interfere with, disrupt, or disturb in an adverse manner the reception of a Radiocommunication receiver. Radiocommunication jamming devices are NOT permitted for sale or use in Canada. The use of Radiocommunication jamming devices would contravene sections 4 and 9 of the Radiocommunication Act. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's policy and Government decision on Radiocommunication jamming devices can be obtained on our Internet site at the following address:
Radiocommunication jamming devicesCategory II equipment – Interference-causing equipment and some radio apparatus
Equipment must meet technical regulations but certification is not required. The manufacturer, supplier or importer shall nevertheless ensure that the regulations are complied with. The equipment shall also be properly labelled according to the applicable standards. Category II equipment includes but is not limited to the following: Electronic transformers or ballasts, alarm keypads, intelligent battery chargers, satellite TV receivers, VCR’s, DVD players, computers, or any equipment that generates and uses timing signals or pulses having a rate of at least 9 kHz.
The use of Category II equipment which doesn’t meet the required regulations contravenes sections 4(3) of the Radiocommunication Act which states:
No person shall manufacture, import, distribute, lease, offer for sale or sell any radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment or radio-sensitive equipment for which technical standards have been established under paragraph 6(1)(a), unless the apparatus or equipment complies with those standards.Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada publishes the lists of regulatory standards that apply to Category I and Category II equipment on our Internet site at the following address:
Regulatory standardsTerminal equipment :
Terminal equipment is a: " telecommunications apparatus that can be connected to telecommunications networks of Canadian carriers; and used by a telecommunications service subscriber at their premises” Terminal equipment must comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada technical regulations and must be registered with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The list of registered terminal equipment is found at the following address:
The use of unregistered terminal equipment which does not meet the applicable regulations contravenes the Telecommunication Act which states:
No person shall distribute, lease, offer for sale, sell or import any telecommunications apparatus for which technical specifications or markings are required under paragraph 69.4(1)(a), unless the apparatus complies with those requirements.