To ensure timely and smooth market access for your products, GTG Group has compiled the following regulatory updates for manufacturers to stay informed and updated.
China
MIIT releases 900MHz band RFID specifications
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China issued the “Regulations on Radio Management of 900MHz Band Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Equipment” on April 29, 2024. The regulations will take effect on November 1, 2024, at which time the regulations for 800/900MHz band RFID technology applications will be repealed.
Hong Kong, China: OFCA allocates 400 MHz spectrum in 6/7 GHz band for public mobile services
The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) has made a significant decision to allocate 400 MHz of spectrum in the 6/7 GHz band for public mobile services. This allocation will be conducted through an auction, expected to be completed by the end of 2024. OFCA’s decision reflects the growing demand for spectrum to support mobile services, especially with the increasing prevalence of 5G technology. The 6/7 GHz band is well-suited for mobile services due to its high capacity and fast data speeds. OFCA aims to enhance the quality and availability of mobile services for consumers and businesses by allocating this spectrum. The auction process will provide operators with a fair and transparent mechanism to obtain the necessary spectrum to meet increasing customer demands. For details on the spectrum allocation in the 6/7 GHz band, please refer to OFCA’s official announcement.
Pakistan
PTA announces the allocation of Wi-Fi 6E
On May 16, 2024, Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), announced the allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum for Pakistan’s unlicensed wireless local area networks (RLAN). Previously, the Pakistan Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) had approved the allocation of the 5925–6425 MHz band for unlicensed RLAN (Wi-Fi 6E) in Pakistan on an unprotected and interference-free basis with the following technical parameters:
- Band: 5925-6425 MHz;
- Power: Indoor 23dBm, 10dBm/MHz; Outdoor 14dBm, 1dBm/MHz, not exceeding 10dBm/MHz when operating at a narrower bandwidth.
PTA has notified that type approval applications for new products using Wi-Fi 6E technology are now permitted. For already certified products, if the applicant can demonstrate that the certified product supports Wi-Fi 6E, they can apply to PTA for an update to the certificate.
Vietnam
Vietnam MIC issues draft SAR technical regulation and to be implemented on July 1, 2025
On April 25, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam issued a notice and draft technical regulation QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT to introduce specific absorption rate (SAR) requirements for mobile phones. The draft regulation specifies limits and methods for measuring the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of phones. The regulation will apply to entities engaged in the manufacture, import, trade, and operation of mobile phones within Vietnam. The technical regulation ensures product compliance with safety requirements and outlines SAR testing procedures, including rapid SAR testing methods.
Comments are due by June 25, 2024. According to Article 2 of the notice, if subsequent announcements are passed and officially published, the technical regulation is expected to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Saudi Arabia
SASO updates requirements for smartphones chargers and electronic devices
The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) has updated requirements for the following HS codes. Valid SABER certificates with the following HS codes need to consider the standardization of electronic device port types and smartphone chargers (SASO IEC 62680-1-2:2017; SASO-IEC 62680-1-3:2017) before August 1, 2024.
- 847160000001 Mice
- 847160000002 Keyboards
- 851821000000 Single speakers mounted in a case
- 851822000000 Multiple speakers mounted in the same case
- 852581100000 High-speed cameras
- 852581200000 High-speed digital cameras for static images
- 852581900000 Other high-speed cameras
- 852582100000 Cameras resistant or tolerant to radiation
- 852582200000 Radiation-resistant or radiation-tolerant static image digital cameras
- 852582900000 Other radiation-resistant or radiation-tolerant static image cameras
- 852583100000 Night vision cameras
- 852583200000 Static image and night vision digital cameras
- 852583900000 Other types of static image and night vision cameras
- 852589100000 Video cameras
- 852589200000 Digital cameras to static images
- 852589900000 Other types of cameras
- 852691100000 Global Positioning System (GPS)
- 851762200004 Routers and hubs (distributors)
SASO will begin reviewing applications starting August 1, 2024, and certificates must be updated for compliance by October 1, 2024.
Indonesia
Indonesia issues new standards for SAR testing on phones and computers
In May 2024, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Indonesia has issued a new decree (No. 177/2024) setting stricter specific absorption rate (SAR) limits for mobile phones and tablets.
The decree implements new limits in two phases starting from April 1, 2024. Additionally, mandatory SAR test reports will be required for certification, and provisions for retesting non-compliant devices have been established.
European Union
European Commission publishes guidelines for the universal charger directive (EU)2022/2380
The European Commission published the “Guidelines for the Interpretation of the Universal Charger Directive” on May 7, 2024, in the Official Journal of the European Union, to assist with the interpretation and implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2380. The guidelines, in the form of Q&A, address common queries about the Universal Charger Directive through 51 questions, such as whether it applies only to rechargeable devices; whether products that support only wireless charging are exempt; whether products that support only DC charging (without AC/DC adapters) are exempt; whether products with a maximum power exceeding 240W are exempt; and whether the regulation covers USB cables.
European Commission eco-design regulation (EU) 2023/1670 latest requirements for batteries
The European Commission’s eco-design regulation (EU) 2023/1670 focuses on the eco-design of specific products, tracing back to the ERP Directive 2009/125/EC and earlier the EUP Directive 2005/32/EC. The latest regulation (EU) 2023/1670 not only regulates various aspects of end products but also provides detailed specifications for key components, especially batteries.
- Regulated products: smartphones, mobile phones (non-smartphones), cordless phones, tablets
- Latest implementation date: June 20, 2025
United Kingdom
UK Department for Business and Trade revises list of standards for general product safety regulations
On April 18, 2024, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued Notice 0100/24, revising the list of standards for the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1803). Notably, the electrical safety standard required in the standard list is EN IEC 62368-1:2020:A11:2020, which is higher than the CE LVD Directive harmonized standard EN IEC 62368-1:2014/AC:2015, as well as its subsequent version EN 62368-1 2014/A11:2017. Attention should be paid when adopting the standard.
United States
US develops safety standards for electric vehicle power batteries
On April 15, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 305a “Electric Vehicles: Powertrain Integrity.” The comment period for the notice ends on June 14, 2024. The new standard will replace the current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 305 “Electric Vehicles: Electrolyte Leakage and Electric Shock Protection.” The core change of the new standard is to add safety performance requirements for the power batteries of all electric vehicles.
According to the notice, NHTSA’s proposed new standard aims at two main goals: one is to expand the scope of the standard to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 4536 kilograms (10000 pounds) and add new requirements and test procedures related to electric vehicle safety, such as comprehensive performance and risk mitigation requirements for rechargeable energy storage systems (REESS), i.e., power batteries; the second is to further promote the harmonization of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards with regulations such as GTR No.20 under the 1998 Global Agreement on Uniform Technical Provisions for Motor Vehicles.
We would like to remind: with the increasingly stringent regulation for exporting new energy vehicles, export enterprises in China should pay close attention to updates on the access requirements of the importing countries, strictly comply with DOT certification and related FMVSS standards for the performance testing and safety testing of complete vehicles and related components, especially power batteries, and effectively respond to foreign technical trade barriers from the source of vehicle design and manufacturing. At the same time, strengthen communication with customers and strictly prepare the corresponding documentation as required.
Chile
Chile extends application period for certification process of external battery chargers for home use
On March 26, 2024, the Chilean Electricity and Fuel Regulatory Agency (SEC) issued Resolution No. 24063, extending the application date of the PE No.1/38 protocol for the safety certification process of external battery chargers and/or batteries for household and similar uses.
The resolution approved the extension of the application date of the PE No.1/38 protocol by six months, which was approved by Resolution No. 14224 of 2022, to give companies adequate time to complete the certification process.
Therefore, the PE No. 1/38 protocol will apply from September 30, 2024. From this date, manufacturers, importers, and distributors must obtain a safety certification certificate before placing the products on the domestic market.
About us
Founded in 2012 and headquarters in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, Guangdong, GTG Group is a comprehensive testing laboratory that consistently upholds the noble mission of “making the world safer and life better,” adhering to the service philosophy of “customer first, team cooperation, and mutual creation and win-win solution.”
GTG Group specializes in global testing and certification for products such as information technology (IT) products, audiovisual (AV) products, power supplies, lighting products, batteries, personal light electric vehicles, Bluetooth devices, WiFi equipment, 2/3/4G communication products, SRD wireless devices, small home appliances, medical devices, automotive electronics, etc. We are committed to becoming an internationally recognized certification body, safeguarding the product selling worldwide.