Companies applying to certify radio apparatus and broadcasting equipment should ensure that they follow the updated RSP – 100 – Certification of Radio Apparatus released by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada) in November, 2014.
On
November 13, 2014, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released “The Radio Standards Procedure for Certification of Radio Apparatus (RSP-100 Issue 10)“, which sets out the requirements for certification of radio apparatus and broadcasting equipment in Canada. Also on November 13, 2014, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada) released “RSS-Gen- General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus” .
What’s New?
(1) Issue 10 of RSP-100 has been entirely modified. There are numerous changes to the content including the numbering of sections. Consequently, all changes may not be captured in this list.
(2) Sections 2.3, 2.4, 3, 4, and 7 have been added to RSP-100, Issue 10; they were previously in RSS-Gen, Issue 3.
(2.7) Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus
Certain types of radio apparatus are permitted to operate without licensing from Industry Canada. These are typically low-output power devices that are intended primarily for consumer or commercial applications.
Licence-exempt (unlicensed) radio apparatus share spectrum with licensed radio services and must operate on a no‑interference, no-protection basis in relation to all other radio systems. Licence-exempt radio apparatus may not cause radio interference to, and cannot claim protection from interference caused by, licensed radio services.
(4.5) Transfer of a Certification
Certification ownership may be transferred from the current owner to a new entity that wishes to assume all of the previous owner’s responsibilities associated with the certificate. To transfer the ownership, the new entity shall send a letter to the Bureau providing a copy of a signed letter from the current certificate holder, authorizing the Department to transfer the ownership from the current owner to the new entity and change the certificate file information to reflect the new owner’s information. The letter must also attest that the equipment covered by the certificate is identical in design and construction to the originally-approved model.
A completed and signed copy of Annex A is also required.
(5) Modification of Certified Radio Equipment
5.1 General
Modifications to certified radio equipment may require re-certification of the radio equipment. The certificate holder shall inform the certification body or the Department of any changes that may affect compliance with the technical requirements of the standards under which the device was originally certified. These changes may require either complete or partial re-testing. Full details shall be submitted to the certification body or to the Department, including any test results where applicable.
5.2 Class I Permissive Change
A Class I permissive change includes those modifications in the radio equipment that:
- do not change the electrical characteristics beyond the rated limits established by the manufacturer;
- do not change external or internal mechanical characteristics significantly enough to require new photographs to identify the modified radio equipment; and
- do not change the model number.
A Class I permissive change does not require notification to Industry Canada. However, when Class I permissible changes are made, the certificate holder must ensure that the attestation of compliance with RSS-102, last submitted, continues to be valid.
5.3 Class II Permissive Change
A Class II permissive change includes those modifications in the radio equipment which do change the electrical characteristics beyond the rated limits established by the manufacturer, without violating the minimum requirements of the applicable standard. A Class II permissive change requires notification to Industry Canada. However, when Class II permissible changes are made, the certificate holder must ensure that the attestation of compliance with RSS-102, last submitted, continues to be valid.
(6.2) Post-certification Audits, Investigations and Quality Control
Post-certification audits will be conducted by the Bureau and the CB in order to ensure continuing compliance. The Department may request from a certificate holder random radio equipment samples at the certificate holder’s expense for post-certification audit testing, or as a result of radio interference complaints. In the event of an investigation of non-compliance, the certificate holder will be asked to provide to the Department records of the quality control process, as well as any relevant information that would help to identify issues related to compliance. It is expected that all certificate holders will be able to demonstrate a quality control process used for production inspection and testing in accordance with good engineering practices.
Our Canadian Representative Service includes a free non-obligation consultation that offers reasonable guidance of how to efficiently get a license for certified equipment for your business.
If you have any questions or would like more information regarding radio equipment certification in Canada or require a Canadian Representative for your application to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada), call or email Koby Smutylo at 613 869 5440 or koby@lawyercorporation.ca.
