Almost every home in the world uses at least one household product featured with Bluetooth. Go ahead and check your own home!
We might never have imagined that our door handle could be connected to—or even controlled by—a cell phone. All we might know was that we needed a key to open it.
However, this is the magic of wireless network technology. We have to thank those who invented it, and especially the researchers who have developed its various applications.
Why? If you’re a user of these so-called “Smart Home Appliances,” you would know how enjoyable and convenient your life is because of it.
We hardly need to touch any of the appliances in our homes. Instead, the cell phone that we use almost every day becomes the controller of those appliances. This means that it’s almost impossible for us to overlook using the appliances around us.
Global industry players have “picked up on” this trend. They tend to make the idea of “smart homes” to be even easier to implement. It is a concept called the “Internet of Things (IoT)”.
Whereas initially each device used different wireless connectivity technologies, now they all are converge on a single network: the internet.
For businesses, the sales of IoT-based smart home appliances are becoming increasingly lucrative as the number of IoT users around the world continues to grow.
However, it’s important to understand that before selling these IoT products, we must comply with the applicable regulations—particularly those applied in the country where you plan to market the products.
At this point, you really need to understand Wireless Type Approval.
What is “Type Approval”?
Type Approval is the authorization granted by an authority—in this case, a country—for the distribution of a group (typically based on a model or type) of products featured with communication functions, whether for sale or for personal use.
While the approval as described above which is specialized for products with communication technology featured with wireless networks is referred to as “Wireless Type Approval”.
Telecom products are now at the heart of human civilization. This is because they enable connections between people to people, between people to devices, and between devices and other devices.
However, there is one potential issue with their use: the risk of harm—whether to users, to the products themselves, or to other products—due to the interference caused by these products.
Moreover, communication via wireless networks occurs in open air. Therefore, unlike in wired networks, there is no physical shielding for the transmitted data.
In addition to being vulnerable to interference—which can cause disruptions or even transmission failures—hacking is highly likely because anyone can infiltrate the system while data is being transmitted through the open air.
To avoid those risks, applicants for Type Approval need to undergo a series of processes to ensure the product’s compliance with the technical standards established by national authority. For that purpose, the product will be tested.
In addition, the legal status of Type Approval applicants will also be verified. This is to prevent the distribution of products without a responsible party, which could cause complications when discrepancies are found between the product specifications and the applied standards in the region or country.
Wireless Type Approval for IoT and Smart Home Appliances
The Internet of Things (IoT) is experiencing massive growth worldwide. The IoT itself is a technology that connects devices via a network.
Data collected from this inter-device connectivity is then stored in the cloud using the Internet Protocol (IP). The overarching vision of this concept is that every device in the world can connect to one another remotely via the internet.
IoT is now integrated into various sectors, ranging from household devices to large and complex industries, and even transportation systems.
The integration of IoT into home appliances (also known as smart home appliances) makes the sophistication of this technology accessible to everyone, since we use these household devices frequently.
From the industry perspective, the business of manufacturing and selling smart home devices is certainly lucrative. Currently, the market is growing larger, meaning more and more people are using these devices.
Wireless Type Approval for Smart Home Devices is crucial because as the number of IoT users increases, so does the risk associated with the use of radio waves in this technology.
1. Technology
Various wireless networking technologies can be used to create IoT-based smart home devices. Among the most commonly used are the following:
- Cellular: Used for portable devices. Offers extensive connectivity and high data transfer speeds for real-time monitoring needs.
- Wi-Fi: Offers the same capabilities as cellular networks, but on a local scale. Suitable for devices that require high connectivity.
- Bluetooth: A network protocol with very low power consumption. Used on devices that do not require large amounts of data transmission.
- Zigbee/Z-Wave: Network technologies used for smart home devices. They have independent protocols, making them ideal for use in a smart home system. Their main advantage is energy efficiency.
- LoRaWAN: A low-power, energy-efficient technology with a fairly long range. Ideal for use in homes with a large floor area.
- RFID and NFC: Supporting technologies for IoT-based devices. Used for close-range object identification.
And there are many other wireless technologies that can be integrated into smart home appliances.
It’s not unlikely that new technologies will also emerge to support the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart home environments.
2. Product Examples
For applicants seeking wireless type approval, all home appliances you intend to sell, if they incorporate any of the technologies mentioned above, must undergo this process.
Here are some examples of products frequently handled by Ndekor Type Approval Services for IoT and Smart Home Appliances:
| Product | Technology |
| Smart Door Lock System | NFC and RFID for card scanning Bluetooth/Wi-Fi for contactless access |
| Smart Lighting | Cellular for remote control with no location restrictions Wi-Fi for remote control with high connectivity and no delay Bluetooth as an alternative, more power-efficient control technology |
| Smart CCTV | Cellular for real-time remote control Wi-Fi for high-speed control; can be used for connectivity during high-resolution recording Bluetooth is used for the initial pairing process between a phone and a device |
| Smart Plug | Bluetooth is most widely used because it requires only simple connectivity (data transfer is not very large) Wi-Fi is used to support faster connectivity or higher power consumption |
| Smart Switch | Bluetooth is most widely used because connectivity does not require significant power Wi-Fi is used for faster connectivity |
| Robot Vacuum Cleaner | Bluetooth is used for the initial pairing of a smartphone with a device Wi-Fi is used for control because it requires stable and fast connectivity |
| Smart Washing Machine | Bluetooth is used for the initial pairing of a smartphone with a device Wi-Fi is used for automatic remote control with a fast connection Cellular are used to connect smartphone apps to devices so they can be controlled remotely (e.g., to turn them on or off, adjust rotation speed, etc.) |
| Smart Refrigerator | Bluetooth is used for the initial pairing Wi-Fi is used for close-range control with high-speed connectivity Cellular are used for remote control via an app (to adjust the temperature, turn lights on and off, etc.) |
General Procedure
Wireless type approval around the world is essentially intended to ensure that wireless features of the product comply with the technical regulations in that country.
These regulations generally refer to the applicable international standards for the technology embedded in the product.
Therefore, although there are broadly two procedures in this process—local testing and paperwork—both involve testing.
The difference is that local testing is conducted in the target country, while paperwork can be processed at any testing facility as long as it is recognized by the country’s regulatory body.
Consequently, the wireless type approval procedure we describe here is only an overview. Technical details may vary by country.
1. Specification Assessment
You submit the specifications to us along with the information about the target country. We will then analyse these specifications and determine whether or not the product is required to undergo wireless type approval.
Many manufacturers wish to use our services. After submitting their specifications, it turns out that their products are not required to undergo this process because they lack the features or technologies that meet the requirements. Therefore, applicants must fully understand this specification evaluation step.
2. Assessment of Applicable Regulations in Each Country
This is the next step after your product has declared as mandatory for wireless type approval.
As explained, each country has different technical requirements. At this stage, we will provide a list of the steps and documents required based on the requirement set in the target country.
3. Sample Preparation
If your target country requires local testing, or if you wish to conduct the test in the target country, we will provide information regarding the testing sample requirements.
Each country has different sample requirements, ranging from configuration, setup, sample type, to the required number of samples.
If local testing is not required, you do not need to worry about this step.
However, please note that some countries may require local testing based on the assessment of the regulatory body.
So even if your paperwork is ready, you may still be required to conduct local testing. The number and configuration of the samples will be determined by that body. We will keep you updated on this.
4. Documents Preparation
As explained earlier, wireless type approval essentially ensures that wireless products comply with the applied regulations in the target country.
Product compliance can be assessed through testing. Besides, the applicant’s legal status must also be verified.
Therefore, the core of this process is to submit all documents required to meet the above criteria.
Each country has different requirements. Generally, these include product specifications, product photos, factory’s ISO certificate, company legal documents, test reports, trademark registration certificate, and contract or agreement between the manufacturer and the local representative.
5. Pre-Certification and Official Testing
You should begin preparing the various documents listed above early on, especially if you plan to distribute your product in a country that requires local testing as part of the certification process.
Product testing is the most time-consuming step in the entire certification process. So, while you wait, you can prepare other documents.
Ndekor Type Approval offers a pre-testing service where we will first test your product in our office. This ensures that your product’s wireless specifications comply with the standard and regulations.
If, during this process, your product’s wireless features do not yet meet the requirements, you can make the necessary corrections and retest in our in-house lab at no additional cost.
6. Document Submission
We will help ensure that all required documents are complete, including the test report.
Each country has its own platform for submitting the required documents. Generally, this requires access through the applicant company’s account.
If you authorize us, we can be granted that access so that we can handle this step. However, if this is not permitted due to your company’s internal policies, we can guide you through the process via online platforms such as phone calls or video calls.
7. Certificate Issuance
After all documents are submitted, the regulatory body will review them and assess whether they are complete and meet all applicable legal requirements in that country.
Once that’s done, you’ll generally be asked to pay the certificate issuance fee. Once paid, the certificate will be issued on the same platform. However, once again, procedures may vary by country.
Global Wireless Certification
Since 2008, Ndekor has been providing wireless Type Approval consulting services in Indonesia. Currently, we assist many brand holders, owners, and manufacturers in marketing their products worldwide.
We continue to conduct research on global market access across countries around the world. Currently, here is a list of the countries we can serve:
| Country | Regulatory Body | Procedures | Local Representative | Lead Time |
| Australia | Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) | Paperwork | Required | 5 Days |
| Brazil | Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL) | Paperwork and Local Test | Required | 8-12 Weeks |
| Cambodia | Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) Paperwork | Paperwork | Required | 15 Days |
| Colombia | Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC) | Paperwork | – | 3-4 Weeks |
| Egypt | National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) | Paperwork and Local Test (mandatory for high risk level products) | – | 4-5 Weeks |
| India | Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC), Equipment Type Approval (ETA): products operating in free-license frequency band. Telecommunication Engineering Centre and Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (TEC MTCTE): products that connect directly to a telecom network. | Paperwork (for WPC ETA Certification) and Local Test (for TEC Certification) | Required | 1-2 Weeks (WPC ETA) 8-12 Weeks (TEC) |
| Indonesia | Direktorat Jenderal Infrastruktur Digital (DJID) | Paperwork and Local Test | Required | 3-5 Days (Paperwork) 4-6 Weeks (Local Test) |
| Japan | Ministry for Internal Affairs and Communication (MIC) | Local Test | Required | 3-4 Weeks |
| Malaysia | SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd | Paperwork and Local Test (mandatory for celluler features) | Required | 2 Weeks (Paperwork) 4-6 Weeks (Local Test) |
| Mexico | Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT), Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) | Local Test | Required | Safety NOM: 4-5 weeks Telecom: 3-4 weeks |
| Philippines | National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) | Paperwork | Required | 20-25 Days |
| Saudi Arabia | The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) | Paperwork | Required | 2 Weeks |
| Singapore | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) | Paperwork | Required | 3 Days |
| South Korea | The bodies supervised by KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards). | Local Test | Not Required | 8 Weeks |
| Thailand | National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) | Paperwork and Local Test | Required | 6 Weeks: for Class A and B 2-4 Days: for SDoC |
| Uni Arab Emirate (UAE) | Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) | Paperwork and Local Test (If requested by Regulatory Body) | – | 3-5 Days |
| Vietnam | Vietnam Telecommunication Authority (VNTA) | Paperwork and Local Test | Required | 8 Weeks |
| Yemen | Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) | Paperwork | Required | 4-8 Weeks |
Please note that all information regarding Type Approval in each country, as listed above, may technically vary.
Take local testing procedures, for example. The number of samples required may vary from country to country.
Therefore, it is best to contact us directly for a more detailed explanation tailored to your destination country.