What is the Process for Obtaining an ISED Canada Certificate?
What Products Require an ISED Canada Certificate?
Radio frequency (RF) equipment that is sold or distributed in Canada is required to undergo testing in order to stay in compliance with standards set by Canada's Radiocommunication Act and Radiocommunication Regulations . Testing limits both intentional and unintentional electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from RF equipment in order to keep users safe. CSIA can help your company gain an ISED certificate for various types of RF emitting devices, including, but not limited to:
electronic products
mobile phones
wireless local area networking equipment
Bluetooth devices
remote control transmitters
land mobile radio transmitters
wireless medical telemetry transmitters
cordless telephones
walkie-talkies
electronic products
Power adapters
telecommunication equipment
IT equipment
electromagnetic compatibility products
equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres
radio and telecommunications terminal equipment
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ISED Canada Approval
International Type Approval and Safety Approval
Why do I need ISED Canada approval for my products.
Canada's Radiocommunication Act and Radiocommunication Regulations state that manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers of radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment or radio-sensitive equipment have three responsibilities:
They must make sure that the equipment they provide meets all the technical standards that are required in Canada for that type of equipment.
They must obtain a Technical Acceptance Certificate (TAC) if it is required for
that type of equipment.
They must ensure that all equipment is labelled to show that it meets the applicable standards.
Individuals and corporations that do not comply with the Regulations may face charges under the Radiocommunication Act. An individual may be fined up to $5,000 and/or face one year in prison. Corporations can be fined up to $25,000.
The Act also states that any officer, director or agent of a corporation who participated in an offence committed by that corporation is liable to the same punishment (fine and/or jail term) as an individual who is found guilty under the Act.
What are the procedures for certification and compliance?
Requirements that apply to both Category I and Category II equipment:
Maximum number - The maximum number of units that may be manufactured or imported without a TAC or without compliance to the standard, is one more than the number listed in the standard for that type of equipment.
Testing - The Department may test, or request that the manufacturer or importer test, the equipment at any time in order to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
Labels - Equipment certified to comply with applicable standards and/or for which a TAC has been issued must be labelled according to the requirements set out in the ISED Canada standards which apply to that equipment.
These requirements do not prevent labelling the product for other purposes or pursuant to other legislation.
You may not remove, replace or alter a label that has been attached as required by the applicable standards; or
mark, label or otherwise indicate how to modify equipment so that it will not comply with applicable standards.
Additional requirements for Category I equipment
A person who manufactures, imports, distributes, leases, offers for sale, or sells a piece of equipment in Category I must apply to ISED for a Technical Acceptance Certificate (TAC). The applicant must demonstrate that the model (or models) of equipment meet all the required standards. A report showing the results of all tests performed on the equipment must be submitted to the Department with the TAC application.
Applicants must follow the procedures outlined in Radio Standards Procedure 100 (RSP-100), Radio Equipment Certification Procedure, or in Broadcasting Equipment Standards Procedure 100 (BESP-100), Certification of Broadcasting Equipment.
ISED Canada may issue a TAC for a specific model of equipment or for several models that have similar technical characteristics.
Applicants may choose to submit the equipment directly to the Department's certification branch for testing and issuance of a TAC.
Special Considerations
New Models - The TAC number can only be used on the model of equipment that was tested and approved. If the holder of a TAC wants to produce a new model of equipment that possesses similar technical characteristics to a previously approved model, that person must submit a request to the Department to list the new model under the same TAC number. If the request is approved, the new model will be added to the radio equipment list published by the Department. This process is called "Family Approval".
New Manufacturers - The TAC number can only be used by the company that received the approval. If a different company wants to market equipment for which a TAC has been issued, it will have to apply to the Department for approval. The applicant must include an authorization from the holder of the current TAC with the request. If the request is accepted, the Department will issue a new TAC number for the new manufacturer. This process is called "Multiple Listing".
Changes to the Equipment - The TAC can only be used for the specific model or models of equipment for which it was issued. If the equipment is modified in such a way as to affect any parameter specified in the standard under which the equipment was certified, the modified equipment is no longer considered to be certified and requires testing to ensure that it complies with the applicable standard.
FCC Standards - ISED Canada wants to reduce the burden on manufacturers and importers and to expedite the process of certification in Canada. As a result, the Department will accept reports that show equipment complies with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards. However, the applicant must indicate how FCC standards compare to Canadian standards for this equipment. Where there are differences between the technical standards of Industry Canada and the FCC, supplementary test results will be required.
Pre-November 1996 - Approvals issued by Industry Canada (now ISED) before November 1996 are still valid as long as the approved equipment is labelled according to the requirements and standards in effect when the equipment was approved.
Additional requirements for Category II equipment
The manufacturer or importer of Category II equipment must ensure that it meets all the required standards for that type of equipment. Testing must be carried out as necessary. Test results must be made available to ISED Canada if the Department requests this information. The standards published in the Canada Gazette show the period of time for which test results must be made available.
For more information on ISED Canada approval contactCSIA.