India
Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunications Equipment (MTCTE)
The Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) was implemented in India starting on October 1, 2019. Under this scheme, telecom equipment manufacturers, OEMs, importers, and dealers must undergo mandatory testing and certification before selling, importing, or using the notified telecom equipment in India. The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) designates labs to test the equipment for conformance with Essential Requirements (ERs). Based on the test reports, TEC issues certificates that are valid for ten years. Compliance International Telecom Laboratories in New Delhi is one such designated lab under the MTCTE regime. The initial phase covers specific types of telecom equipment, including 2-Wire Telecom Equipment, Modems, G3 Fax Machines, ISDN CPEs, Cordless Telephones, and PABX systems. Currently, the MTCTE covers a total of 95 products/variants across 5 phases, encompassing 70 Essential Requirements (ERs). The testing and certification envisaged in MTCTE Procedure Compliance International Telecom Laboratories holds accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and designation from TEC. Our scope includes:- Routers (all types)
- Switches (all types)
- Media Gateways
- Signalling Gateways
- Session Border Controllers
- IP Terminals
- ISDN Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
- ISDN Video Conferencing Systems
- PABX systems
- SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy)
- DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
- OTN (Optical Transport Network)
- GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network)
- 2-Wire Telephone Equipment
- High-Speed Line Drivers
- Soft Switches
- Type Approval: This process involves testing and certifying telecom products according to TEC’s Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP) for conformance with the Standard for Products/Equipment (formerly known as Generic Requirements) issued by TEC.The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) grants Type Approval based on its Generic Requirements (GR) standards. Similar to the Interface Requirements (IR) standards, GR standards are categorized by functional equipment type. To obtain approval, telecom equipment must undergo in-country testing, which may include environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. Additionally, an Infrastructure Assessment of the applicant’s test and repair facilities in India is required.Type Approval primarily applies to equipment intended for procurement by India’s former government carriers. Compliance International’s India-based team has extensive experience supporting global equipment vendors for nearly two decades. We offer critical advice on approval strategies and excel at achieving results, even in challenging situations. Our comprehensive solution for TEC Type Approval includes logistics, extensive engineering test support (including environmental and EMC testing), and a straightforward approach to navigating administrative procedures, including the Infrastructure Assessment process
- Interface Approval: In this process, telecom products are tested and certified based on TEC’s Test Schedule & Test Procedure (TSTP) for conformance with the Standards for Interface (formerly known as Interface Requirements) issued by TEC. Interface Approval may be mandated as a compulsory certification by license conditions, government entities, or service providers.The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) issues Interface Approval based on its Interface Requirements (IR) standards. These standards are categorized by functional equipment type and typically define network interfaces. For equipment intended to connect to public network services, obtaining approval is necessary. The applicant seeking approval must be a local Indian company.Compliance International's India-based team has been assisting global equipment vendors for nearly two decades. We offer crucial advice on approval strategies and possess a remarkable ability to achieve results, even in challenging situations. Our turnkey solution streamlines the TEC Interface Approval process, covering logistics, extensive engineering test support (including EMC testing when required), and a straightforward approach to navigating administrative procedures
- Certificate of Approval (CoA): CoA is granted when TEC does not have a Generic or Interface Requirement for a specific product. The testing is conducted based on the manufacturer’s specifications and the approved TSTP.
- Technology Approval: This scheme covers approval for specific technologies or features beyond the standard requirements.
Equipment Type Approval (ETA)
The growth of the telecommunications sector has led to an increase in the import of wireless products in India. Consequently, the government has taken measures to ensure that these products adhere to regulatory standards. According to the Indian Telegraph Act and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, all approved Radio and Wireless equipment operating in de-licensed frequency bands in India must obtain mandatory Equipment Type Approval (ETA). The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of India’s Ministry of Communications grants this approval. Import licenses, issued by the same authority, are necessary for customs clearance of imported items. The WPC certificate for import in India is obligatory. It verifies that the imported wireless product operates within the de-licensed frequency band—a requirement that all wireless products must meet. The WPC certification process is relatively straightforward compared to other types of certification and typically takes 1 to 2 months to complete. After registration, RF (Radio Frequency) test reports must be submitted. These tests should be conducted by an accredited testing laboratory. Previously, it was possible to perform the tests abroad and submit the corresponding reports. However, since the beginning of 2021, foreign test reports are no longer accepted, and tests must be carried out within India. Notably, a factory inspection is not required for WPC (ETA) approval. For equipment operating in other licensed bands, a separate Operating, Experimental, or Demonstration license from the Department of Telecommunications is required. Only Indian registered business entities or Indian citizens can apply for ETA. Compliance International, a registered business entity in India, has extensive experience supporting manufacturers with regulatory compliance in the country For more details, feel free to contact us.Compulsory Registration Scheme
In order to import electronics and IT products into India, you must acquire a BIS registration certificate through the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Here are the key points:
- Eligible Products: The CRS covers various electronic goods, including audio/video equipment, IT equipment, household electrical appliances, and more. These products must conform to Indian standards.
- Self-Declaration of Conformity: Manufacturers need to provide a self-declaration of conformity stating that their products meet the relevant Indian standards.
- Testing and Certification: Testing must be performed by a BIS-recognized laboratory to verify compliance with Indian standards.
- Factory-Specific Registration: Separate registration is required for each manufacturing facility where the product is produced.
Compliance International, as a registered business entity in India, can assist manufacturers with regulatory compliance based on decades of experience.
Click here for List of products covered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) in India
Remember, having the BIS CRS certificate ensures that your products meet safety and quality standards for the Indian market.