GMA Update - October

Asia

Bangladesh: BTRC Issues Notice Requiring IPv6 Support in All Wi-Fi Routers

BTRC issued Notice No. 14.32.00000.500.46.001.24.209 on 4 August 2025, announcing the withdrawal of Notice No. 14.32.00000.500.46.001.24.000007160. The new directive mandates that all Wi-Fi routers produced and marketed within the country must support IPv6.

Hong Kong (China): OFCA Released HKCA 1081 Issue 2

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) has released the updated performance specification HKCA 1081 Issue 2 for 6 GHz WLAN radio equipment. According to the specification, equipment must operate within the 5945–6425 MHz band, while the 5925–5945 MHz range is reserved as a guard band.

India: DoT Drafts Regulations for Lower 6 GHz Band, Proposes Opening 5925–6425 MHz for Use

On 16 May 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of India released the draft “Rules for Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in Lower 6 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2025.”

The draft rules apply to the 5925–6425 MHz frequency band and propose that Low Power Indoor (LPI) devices, Very Low Power (VLP) devices, and Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs) be exempt from licensing requirements.

These rules will come into effect on the date of their official publication by the DoT.

India: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), India, issued a notice extending the validity of the voluntary Star Rating (Standards & Labeling) labels for microwave ovens and air compressors.

The validity of the existing star rating tables under the voluntary phase of the S&L program for the following appliances has been extended up to 31st December, 2026:

• Manufacturers with BEE-approved models who wish to continue using the star labels beyond this period are advised to submit updated sample labels along with the original approval letter by 30 November 2025, or by the deadline specified in the official notification (once issued).
• If the renewal application is not submitted by the specified date, the use of star labels for those models may be deactivated automatically starting 1 January 2026.

Malaysia: MCMC Issues Notice on Implementation of New Technical Specifications for LMR Equipment

On 4 September 2025, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued a notice on its official website (reference number SQASI/CMCS/1/25/0005) announcing that the new technical specification MCMC MTSFB TC T012:2025, titled "Land Mobile Radio Equipment – Specification (Second Edition)," was officially approved and released on 26 June 2025. The revised specification introduces several changes, most notably an update to the frequency range for UHF Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment—such as conventional walkie-talkies—which is now set at 400–450 MHz. It also revises the channel spacing allocations for both UHF and VHF bands.

During the grace period from 26 June 2025 to 26 December 2025, equipment submitted for certification that complies with the previous version of the Technical Code will still be accepted. Certificates of Conformity (CoC) issued under the previous version may be granted, but their validity will be limited to a maximum of one year. Renewals of CoCs under the earlier version will also be allowed during this period, with the same one-year validity limit.

Starting from 27 December 2025, all new equipment submissions must fully comply with the revised Technical Code MCMC MTSFB TC T012:2025. Existing CoCs will remain valid until their expiry date; however, any renewal applications submitted after this date must conform to the updated specification.

Specific Certification Requirements for LMR Equipment

Situation 1

If the test report indicates a frequency range and channel spacing within Malaysia’s permitted limits, but the product specifications are broader than those limits:

• The applicant must provide a configuration setting declaration confirming that the default frequency range and channel spacing are set in accordance with Malaysia’s regulatory requirements.
• These settings must not be alterable or modifiable by the end user.
• All documents submitted for certification, as well as those intended for distribution to consumers or buyers, must accurately reflect this configuration.

Situation 2

If both the product specifications and the test report indicate a frequency range and channel spacing that exceed or do not conform to Malaysia’s permitted limits, the applicant must either:

• Conduct a Verification Test (VT) at SIRIM RFEMC Testing, or
• Perform a live demonstration to verify the configuration settings.

The demonstration must confirm that the default frequency range and channel spacing comply with Malaysia’s regulatory requirements and cannot be altered by the end user.

Interoperability Requirement

Applicants must conduct a connectivity test demonstration for the LMR equipment.

For LMR equipment that also supports cellular connectivity, compliance with interoperability requirements must be demonstrated independently for both LMR and cellular networks, as they operate on distinct infrastructures.

Malaysia: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Approval for IMT Band Certifications

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has approved the certification of the following IMT bands, subject to specific usage conditions and compliance requirements:

Philippines: NTC to Sunset 2G and 3G Services

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of the Philippines held a public consultation on 2 August 2025 regarding the planned decommissioning of 2G and 3G mobile network services. Following this, NTC issued Memorandum Circular No. 003-09-2025 on 28 August 2025.

According to the circular:

• 3G services will be fully phased out by 31 December 2026.
• 2G services will be decommissioned on a separate schedule, which will be announced in a future guideline.

NTC will also release additional guidance concerning the phase-out of mobile devices that support only 2G and 3G technologies.

Uzbekistan: New RoHS Regulations Announced

On 15 August 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan issued a decision approving new technical regulations on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and radio electronic products. These regulations govern the use of ten specific hazardous substances.

The initiative supports the implementation of Presidential Decree No. PP-91 dated 28 February 2024, titled "On measures to organize the activities of the Agency for Technical Regulation of Uzbekistan." It aims to establish uniform safety standards for electrical and radio electronic products, particularly by limiting the presence of hazardous substances.

The regulation will come into force on 15 February 2026. Products listed in Appendix 1—including most electronic appliances, home appliances, and lighting equipment—will be subject to mandatory Uzbek RoHS certification.

Europe

Ukraine: 6GHz Band Opens for WLAN Use

On 13 August 2025, Ukraine officially opened the 6GHz frequency band for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) applications. This move aligns Ukraine with global trends in expanding high-speed wireless connectivity and is expected to enhance broadband performance and support next-generation wireless technologies.

Moldova: Alignment with EU Conformity Standards

On 28 August 2025, the Official Journal of the Republic of Moldova published amendments to Law No. 235/2011, which will take effect on 28 February 2026. The revised Article 31 stipulates that products lawfully CE-marked and accompanied by an EU Declaration of Conformity—having already undergone EU-notified-body conformity assessment—may be placed on the Moldovan market without further reassessment. As a result, the national Certification Body has suspended its activities pending alignment with the new legal framework.

Africa

Egypt: NTRA to Ban Import of 3G-Only Devices

On 1 September 2025, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt issued a notice to manufacturers and importers of telecommunications devices, announcing that shipments containing cellular devices operating solely on 3G technology will no longer be type approved or permitted for import as of 1 October 2025.

The following device types will continue to be permitted:

• Devices operating solely on 2G technology
• Devices operating on 2G, 3G, and 4G technology
• Devices operating on 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technology
• Devices operating on 3G, 4G, and 5G technology

The following device types will no longer be permitted:

• Devices operating solely on 3G technology
• Devices operating on 2G and 3G technology

America

Brazil: ANATEL Discontinues Certification for FDD Band 2 (1880–1920 MHz)

On 20 August 2025, the Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) published Ofício nº 246/2025/ORCN/SOR-ANATEL, officially confirming the discontinuation of equipment certification for the FDD Band 2 (1880–1920 MHz).

This decision applies to all cellular devices—both newly submitted and previously approved. ANATEL has clarified that devices operating on this frequency band will no longer be eligible for approval or renewal. The FDD Band 2 will not be considered in any future certification processes.

Paraguay: CONATEL Requires Updated Certification for Wi-Fi 6E Devices

On 26 August 2025, Paraguay’s Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) issued Resolución Directorio N° 2121/2025, outlining new requirements for devices operating in the 5925–6425 MHz frequency band (Wi-Fi 6E).

Before activating this band on any device, manufacturers and importers must obtain an updated certificate explicitly confirming the device’s technical capability to operate within this range. This certification is mandatory for regulatory compliance and market access.

Argentina: ENACOM Certificate Issuance Delays Expected

Argentina’s National Communications Agency (ENACOM) has recently undergone a leadership change within its Homologation Department. As a result of this transition, delays of several weeks are anticipated in the issuance of homologation certificates.

Companies and project stakeholders are advised to take this situation into account and adjust their timelines accordingly to avoid disruptions.

Peru: National Cybersecurity Strategy 2026–2028 Released

On 15 August 2025, the Secretariat of Government and Digital Transformation in Peru published the National Cybersecurity Strategy of Peru 2026–2028 (ESNACIB).

The strategy aims to align Peru’s cybersecurity development with international standards, foster a resilient digital ecosystem, enhance protection and response capabilities against cyber threats, and promote cybersecurity in future research and innovation initiatives.

Please contact our GMA team if you need any more information on Global Market Access Services or help in complying with international requirements.

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Disclaimer: This is a publication of SGS GMA & 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.