Wireless Testing and Certification

Compliance Challenges for Wireless Modules and Finished Products

The growing trend for manufacturers to add radio modules into products, beyond the more traditional market of laptops and mobile phones, means that they are now being included in everything from domestic appliances to industrial machinery. This has created a situation where manufacturers, importers and retailers of both radio modules and end-user products are unfamiliar with the regulatory requirements of their target markets. Consequently, they may fall foul of the various market surveillance authorities, as more countries introduce differing national standards.

Wireless Modules and Finished Products

Wireless modules provide products with communication technologies to support their specific function(s). Common technologies include Bluetooth®, RFID, GPS, NFC, GSM, WCDMA, LTE.

For example, GSM module would provide the platform for cellular communication using the network infrastructure to connect the device to another product with cellular capability regardless of proximity whereas Bluetooth® would support short range communication between devices.

Depending on the intended functions, finished products could be classified as Short-Range Devices (SRD). These types of devices typically have a low level of transmitted power, and hence their communication range is restricted. The definition ‘Short Communication Range Device’ may be applied to many different types of wireless equipment, including various forms of:

In addition to SRD, there are other finished products that might integrate short range communication with dedicated cellular and/or satellite-based communications modules. These include mobile phones, laptops, navigation equipment, and safety critical communication devices used in autonomous cars or medical applications.

Compliance for Modules Doesn’t Mean Compliance for a Finished Product

With the boom in wireless technologies and the need for real time services, communication (voice, data, or location) functions are being utilized by product manufacturers to innovate the product features. As the telecommunications industry is extremely competitive, the pressure is on to develop wireless-enabled technologies that deliver a market advantage. However, a key reason for non-compliance of final host products containing wireless modules is that while these modules are compliant as an independent unit, once they are integrated into another product, this often changes the regulatory requirements.

A wide variety of laws and guidelines from different countries and telecoms providers must therefore be met before your end-user product or radio module can enter new markets.

Wireless testing and certification services

TÜV SÜD’s experts can certify any of your wireless products, providing you with market entry standard compliance for the EU, USA, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. We are a recognized Notified Body (NB) under the European Union’s Radio Equipment Directive, a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) for the U.S., an Industry Canada Foreign Certification Body (FCB) and a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) for Japan. Our global market access experts study target market access requirements and advise customers on the most efficient and economic certification path, ensuring that your product or radio module complies with the regulatory requirements of its intended market.

services include:

• Pre-evaluation of modules or end-user products – identify applicable standards in each target country and the most efficient certification approach.
• Testing - to meet the regulatory requirements for market access to Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, and other related markets.
• Certification – against the requirements of over 100 countries.
• Research – our team of highly skilled experts has in-depth knowledge of the latest changes and updates to the global regulations and standards which are relevant to your products and target markets.
• Quality assurance - our global network of accredited test laboratories ensure compliance, identifying potential issues early to minimize market access and supply problems.

TÜV SÜD’s Global Market Access (GMA) service determines applicable regulations, managing product compliance for the different countries into which you sell. Our GMA services for telecoms and radio equipment include Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Download E-Book

Why Choose TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD has experience in telecommunication and radio equipment compliance, helping our customers to understand and comply with the wide variety of laws and guidelines from different countries and telecoms providers, which must be met before products can enter new markets. Our experts have specialist knowledge in key industries such as marine, aviation, defense, electronics consumer products, and communication technology infrastructure and equipment. They ensure you have the competitive edge and certifications to uphold it.