Global Regulatory Updates

Canada's ISED has released RSS-310 Issue 6 (with Amendment 1), updating requirements for licence-exempt Category II radio equipment. Key changes include expanded scope for cable-locating equipment, new requirements for stand-alone receivers and passive RFID tags, and streamlined compliance obligations. A one-year transition period applies. All stakeholders must ensure compliance with the new standard for continued market access.

Hong Kong's OFCA has published HKCA 1056 Issue 3, updating technical and evaluation requirements for LTE and NB-IoT base stations and repeaters. The specification now explicitly includes NB-IoT base stations, updates the list of permitted frequency bands, and mandates compliance with ETSI and 3GPP standards. Certification under the HKTEC Scheme is required for all affected equipment. Stakeholders must ensure compliance to maintain market access.

SASO has announced the replacement of the technical standard for ICT equipment in Saudi Arabia. SASO 3114:2026 will become mandatory after October 31, 2026, impacting all importers and manufacturers. Certificates under the old standard will be discontinued by March 31, 2027. Stakeholders must ensure compliance to maintain market access.

China has confirmed a mandatory update to CCC certification standards for household appliances, introducing GB/T 4706.1-2024 (safety) and GB 4343.1-2024 (EMC). All CCC-certified products must transition to the new standards by mid-2027, with supplementary testing required. The update aligns China with international norms and impacts manufacturers, importers, OEMs, and labs. Immediate action is essential to avoid certificate suspension and market disruption.

Vietnam has enacted a new regulation on conformity declaration and assessment methods, introducing mandatory requirements for technical regulation compliance, updated certification methods, and enhanced post-market surveillance. The regulation affects manufacturers, importers, certification bodies, and regulatory authorities, and aims to align Vietnam's system with international best practices. Stakeholders must update their compliance processes and documentation to meet the new standards.

Canada updates RSS-287 technical requirements for emergency beacon devices, introducing new compliance obligations for EPIRB, ELT, PLB, and MSLD equipment operating on distress frequencies.