ITA Update September

In this publication, we list the latest changes and updates that affect the approval of products in international markets.

Australia:
NSW Government Releases New Safety Standards for e-mobility Devices and Lithium Batteries

The New South Wales government announced new mandatory safety standards for e-mobility devices and their lithium batteries in August 2024. These standards aim to ensure that only safe and compliant products are sold within the state. Implementation of these standards will begin in February 2025, with mandatory certifications being enforced from August 2025 onwards.

The e-mobility devices mainly regulated include:

E-bikes with a maximum continuous rated output not exceeding 500 watts:

• AS 15194:2016- Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles (also known as pedelecs), or
• EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 - Cycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC Bicycles, or
• UL 2849 - Electrical systems for e-Bikes

E-bikes with a maximum continuous rated output exceeding 500 watts:

• UL 2849 - Electrical systems for e-Bikes

E-bike batteries:

• EN 50604-1:2016+A1:2021 - Secondary lithium batteries for light EV (electric vehicle) applications, or
• IEC 62133-2:2017 - Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes- Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications- Part 2: Lithium systems, or
• UL 2271 - Batteries for use in light electric vehicle (LEV) applications

E-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards:

• AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023 - Household and similar electrical appliances- Safety. Part 2.114: Particular requirements for personal e-transporters, or
• EN 17128 - Light motorised vehicles for the transportation of persons and goods and related facilities and not subject to type-approval for on-road use- Personal light electric vehicles (PLEC)- Requirements and test methods, or
• UL 2272 - Electrical systems for personal e-mobility devices

E-scooters, e-skateboards and hoverboards batteries:

• AS/NZS 60335.2.114:2023 - Household and similar electrical appliances- Safety. Part 2.114: Particular requirements for personal e-transporters, or
• UL 2271 - Batteries for use in light electric vehicle (LEV) applications

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017

Bahrain:
TRA Enables the Use of Next Gen Wi-Fi 7

TRA enables the use of next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology by releasing an updated technical specification on July 28, 2024.

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Wi-Fi 7 Technology

China: 
MIIT Releases Draft For Radar And Radio Management Regulations

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a Draft for Radar and Radio Management Regulations on July 31, 2024. This regulation will be effective from January 1, 2025. Furthermore, starting from January 1, 2026, applications for SRRC type-approval certificates for radar equipment that do not comply with this regulation will no longer be accepted. These proposed regulations aim to improve production safety, environmental monitoring, and disaster mitigation, while addressing the increasing demand for radar technology. They are aligned with the Radio Management Regulations of the People’s Republic of China and related laws to ensure effective radio management and orderly airwaves.

Indonesia:
SDPPI Releases Regulation No. 352 of 2024 on Technical Standards for LTE/5G NR Mobile Telecommunication Devices

The Ministry of Communications and Informatics released Regulation No. 352 of 2024 on Technical Standards for LTE/5G NR Mobile Telecommunication Devices on July 25, 2024, which comes into force on the date of publication. 

This new regulation features the additional bands below for Smartphones and other devices with WWAN features supported by WWAN base stations:

LTE:

• Subscriber Station and Base Station: add bands 28 / 31
• Repeater: bands 1 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 28 / 31 (newly included, no band 40)

5G NR:

• Subscriber Station and Base Station: FR1 add n28; newly permit FR2 n258

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Number 352 of 2024

Jordan:
TRC Plans to Update Type Approval Regulations

The Telecommunications Regulation Commission (TRC) of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan previously held a public consultation on draft instructions for the type approval of telecommunications devices.

The new regulation is expected to be issued soon, and include the main updates listed below:

• Reduce the validity of certificates from 3 years to 1 year.
• Allow the option of affixing the label on the outer package and/or the device itself.
• Include exemptions for the devices like Bluetooth device, Wireless mouses and keyboards and so on.

Malaysia:
SIRIM Extends Application of IPV6 Interim Type Approvals

The Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) announced on July 11, 2024, the implementation of the interim Type Approval for IPv6 cellular equipment without Wi-Fi or IPv6 equipment over other media (e.g., Fiber Optics, etc., except Ethernet LAN), is extended for another year, effective from July 10, 2024, until further notice. As such, all new applications and renewal of Certificate of Conformity (CoC) are allowed with a maximum validity of one (1) year. Within the interim approval period, applicants must conduct testing in any accredited laboratory and submit the test report for SIRIM evaluation. Full approval will be issued if the IPv6 device complies with the IPv6 requirements.

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Updates on Certification of IPv6 Over Cellular Equipment without WiFi interface

Latest Regulation for Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Service Receivers

The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has approved and published Technical Code: Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Service Receiver - Common Test Suite (Third Revision) on April 4, 2024. This document shall be used in tandem with the latest revision of the technical code: Specification for Digital Terrestrial
Television Broadcast Receiver (Second Revision). A six-month grace period is granted by MCMC from the registration date until the full implementation, commencing on October 4, 2024, and testing shall be conducted based on the latest Malaysian Test Suite V2.0 to fulfill the requirements of this technical code.

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Technical Codes MCMC MTSFB TC T011:2024 Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Service Receiver - Common Test Suite (Third Revision) Specification for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcast Receiver (Second Revision)

Qatar:
CRA Announces Cessation of 3G Mobile Telecommunications Services by December 31, 2025

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) issued a decision to mobile Service Providers, mandating the cessation of 3G mobile telecommunications services before December 31, 2025.

For detailed information, please refer to the link: CRA Announces Cessation of 3G Mobile Telecommunications Services

South Korea:
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) declares, "Introduction of Electric Vehicle Charger Grading System to Enhance Consumer Choice!"

Key Information Includes:

• Amendment Announcement of the "Electric Vehicle Charger Technical Standards" (July 17, 2024, Wednesday)
• Diversification of grading.
• Relaxation of regulation to increase the credibility of the electric vehicle charging industry and reduce the burden on enterprises.

The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy's National Institute of Standards and Technology (Director: Jin Jongwook, hereinafter referred to as "KATS") will revise and announce the "Electric Vehicle Charger Technical Standards" on July 17 (Wednesday).

The revision aims to align domestic type-approval standards with international standards (OIML G22), enhancing the measurement reliability of the electric vehicle charging industry and reducing the burden on electric vehicle charger manufacturers by simplifying type-approval standards.

OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology, established in 1955) is an international organization established for the standardization of legal metrology regulation. OIML G22 (September 2022) refers to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) - Metrological and technical requirements. Prior to this, KATS held public hearings in January 2024 and administrative announcements from April to May 2024 involving various stakeholders (manufacturers, charging operators, type-approval agencies, etc.), reflecting industry opinions and finalizing the revision plan.

The main content of the revision includes:

• Refining type-approval grades based on tolerances.
• Relaxing the standards for changes in type-approval.

KATS anticipates that this revision will lead to a wider domestic proliferation of electric vehicle chargers with superior measurement performance, thereby promoting fair transactions between charging operators and electric vehicle drivers.

The single-grade chargers (AC, DC) are subdivided into two levels for alternating current (AC) chargers and three levels for direct current (DC) chargers.

The current single-grade type-approval system will be refined based on tolerances to distinguish products with superior measurement performance.

For minor changes in software (SW) functions: shifting from (current) SW identification followed by change certification to (revised) being simplified as a reporting matter.

Director of the Policy Bureau, Park Jae-young, stated, "This revision not only distinguishes electric vehicle chargers with superior metrological performance to enhance the choice of electric vehicle drivers (consumers), but it also reduces the type approval burden on the electric vehicle charger manufacturing industry and fosters their expansion into overseas markets." He further stated, "In the future, we will continue to discuss with various stake-holder organizations to promote the development of the electric vehicle charger industry.”

Tanzania:
TCRA Updates Technical Specifications for Short-Range Devices (SRD)

Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) published new technical specifications for SRDs on June 25, 2024.

• The frequency band of Wi-Fi 6 GHz 5,925-6,425 MHz is permitted for use.
• Operations of SRDs in the 77-81 GHz frequency band are permitted.
• Non-specific SRDs can now operate in the 122-122.25 GHz, 122.24-123 GHz, and 244-246 GHz frequency bands.

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Minimum Technical Requirements for Short-Range Devices

Vietnam:
Vietnam MOIT Releases Decision No. 1725/QD-BCT - New List of Energy-Efficient Products

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) issued Decision No. 1725QD-BCT on the new list of energy-efficient products in Vietnam. This Decision replaces Appendix 3 of Decision No. 1182/QD-BCT dated May 20, 2019, on promulgating the list of goods subject to specialized inspection under the management of the MOIT.

Compared with the old list in Appendix III of Decision No. 1182/QD-BCT, the new list supplements some goods/products subject to inspection for their energy efficiency and energy labelling from July 1, 2024, including:

• Liquid crystal display (LCD) type, light-emitting diode (LED), and other flat display computer monitors with display size up to 24 inches (HS code 8528.72.92)
• Laptops (HS code 8471.30.20)
• Computers (HS codes 8471.41.10, 8471.41.90, 8471.49.10)
• Electrical motors (HS codes 8501.52.19, 8501.52.29, 8501.52.39, 8501.53.90)
• Industrial boilers (HS codes 8402.11.20, 8402.12.21, 8402.12.29, 8402.19.21, 8402.19.29, 8402.20.20)
• Transformers (HS codes 8504.21, 8504.22).

For detailed information, please refer to the link: Decision No. 1725/QD-BCT 

Taiwan NCC:
Decisions of NCC Meeting

To enhance the approval and management processes of telecommunication equipment in Taiwan, the National Communications Commission (NCC) convened a meeting on August 1, 2024, resulting in the following decisions:

Starting August 20, 2024:

• Confidentiality for complete modules/limited modules and their host platforms must be applied together. If no confidentiality is sought for the module, host platforms using such module should not be kept confidential.
• Photos of the equipment's external appearance should be taken based on a "new device." For telecom equipment (including the final product) of varying external appearances, colors, or materials, the rules of the 6-surface colored photos must be followed.
• Applications for registering platforms with a complete module should include a video file and an affidavit letter. The video should start with the front side of the final product and continue with the housing removed to show the internal circuit board, including the complete RF module/components. The location of the complete RF module/components on the internal circuit board should be clearly displayed. The affidavit letter should be signed by the certificate holder.
• For any telecom equipment with wireless charging capability, the applicant must submit a type-approved wireless charger for inspection by the test lab to confirm compliance with all relevant technical standards.

Starting November 2, 2024:

• All domestically manufactured telecom equipment applying for compliance approval must include a "proof of manufacture authorization" issued by the NCC.

Taiwan BSMI:
BSMI Proposal for Legal Inspection Requirements for Stationary Lithium Battery Storage Appliances

To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it is expected that renewable energy power generation equipment and energy storage systems will gradually enter households. Due to the risks associated with thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries used in energy storage systems, the BSMI proposes to add stationary lithium battery storage appliances into the mandatory inspection scope. Two alternative conformity assessment procedures are made available for the choice of applicants, i.e. Registration of Product Certification (RPC) or Type-Approved Batch Inspection (TABI).

Proposed date of implementation: 1 Jul, 2025.

Scope of covered products:

Please contact our ITA team if you need any more information on International Type Approval or help in complying with international requirements.

Disclaimer: This is a publication of SGS ITA & Wireless team. Our intent is to assist you to quicker access the global market by providing news of worldwide regulatory certifications. Please properly cite the source whenever reposting. The information contained herein is provided “as is,” and we do not warrant that it will be error-free. In case of any discrepancy due to translations, the original source shall prevail.