- What legislation governs the manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, sale and use of radio equipment in Canada?
- What is the purpose of the standards and the certification program?
- How is radio equipment authorized and approved for use in Canada?
- How do I know if radio equipment is approved for use in Canada?
- Where can I find more information on technical standards for radio devices?
What legislation governs the manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, sale and use of radio equipment in Canada?
The Radiocommunication Act requires that anyone wishing to manufacture, import, distribute, lease, sell or use radio equipment in Canada, must ensure that devices are tested and certified to meet applicable technical standards. This requirement applies to all radiocommunication devices, whether locally manufactured or imported for use in Canada.
What is the purpose of the standards and the certification program?
The technical standards for radio equipment are prescribed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to ensure various radio apparatus used by radio services such as broadcasting, cellular, Wi-Fi, air traffic control and Public Safety can operate with minimal impact on each other and with the best use of the spectrum. The standards also ensure the radio apparatus meet the limits set forth by Health Canada on the exposure of radio frequencies, particularly concerning the limits for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Measuring SAR is a complex procedure. Further information on SAR and how to measure it can be found at the following site: SAR.
The Canadian Equipment Certification program ensures radio equipment used in Canada meets the requirements of the applicable standards for specific types of equipment. This program is applied to all manufacturers and importers of radio apparatus.
How is radio equipment authorized and approved for use in Canada?
All radio equipment must meet specific Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regulatory requirements and technical standards before it can be imported, sold or used in Canada. The process whereby equipment manufacturers demonstrate compliance with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's technical Standards is referred to as certification.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Certification and Engineering Bureau provides up-to-date information on all radiocommunication equipment certified for use in Canada. Certification information for specific types of radio devices can be obtained directly by reviewing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Radio Equipment List (REL) database or by contacting the Bureau.
How do I know if radio equipment is approved for use in Canada?
Before a radio device can be sold in Canada, manufacturers must demonstrate to the Department that the device meets applicable technical and regulatory requirements. Once a radio device has been approved for use in Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada will provide the manufacturer with a certification/registration number. All radio devices approved for use in Canada will bear a label, either physical or electronic, noting Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's certification/registration number. If the radio device is not labelled with an Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada certification/registration number, it is not approved for use in Canada.
Where can I find more information on technical standards for radio devices?
The following documents provide additional information on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's regulatory and technical requirements for low-power licence-exempt radiocommunication devices.
RSS-Gen sets out general requirements and provides information for the certification of radiocommunication equipment in Canada.
Radio Specification Standards (RSS) listed in the Radio Equipment Standards , the technical requirements applicable to most all radio devices requiring certification in Canada Information concerning Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's radio equipment certification process is available in RSP-100.
Specific enquiries concerning radio equipment certification can also be directed to:
Chief, Certification and Engineering Bureau
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
3701 Carling Avenue (Building 94)
P.O. Box 11490, Station H
Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8S2
Telephone: 613-990-4218
Fax: 613-990-5009
E-mail: ic.certificationbureau-bureauhomologation.ic@canada.ca