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South Africa
Regulatory Approval
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
This telecom approval is directed at products with telecom technology. These technologies include WIFI (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth, Cellular (GSM, UMTS, CDMA, LTE), Satellite, etc. ICASA approval refers to certification or authorization issued by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). ICASA is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the country's communications and broadcasting sectors, including telecommunications, radio, television, and postal services.
In the context of product approval, ICASA approval primarily applies to telecommunications and broadcasting equipment that uses radio frequencies, such as mobile phones, wireless routers, and broadcasting equipment. ICASA ensures that these devices meet technical standards, do not interfere with existing networks, and comply with South African regulations regarding spectrum management and safety.
Key Points About ICASA Approval:
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Type Approval for Communication Equipment: ICASA requires that certain telecommunication and radio-frequency (RF) devices undergo a type approval process before they can be imported, sold, or used in South Africa. This ensures that the equipment complies with South Africa’s communications regulations and technical standards.
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Devices That Require ICASA Approval: Any product that emits or receives radio frequency signals (such as mobile phones, wireless routers, Bluetooth devices, and radio transmitters) typically needs to be ICASA-approved before being allowed into the South African market. This includes devices that operate on specific radio bands that need to be licensed for use.
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Regulatory Compliance: ICASA ensures that the equipment meets the following requirements:
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Technical standards: Devices must operate within certain parameters to avoid interference with other equipment or networks.
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Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC): Devices must not cause harmful interference to other electronic equipment.
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Safety and performance standards: Equipment must meet safety and performance criteria as prescribed by ICASA.
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ICASA type approval requires acceptable CE reports. Test reports must be less than 5 years old.
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A local representative is required. Should the manufacture not have one available, CSIA can provide that service.
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Lead times are typically 6-8 weeks from the time CSIA has collected all the required documents.
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Once the certificate is issued an application to print your own labels is required.
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For this application we require an example of your label showing the ICASA local and certificate number.
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For all products except cellular the approval is valid indefinitely.
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Cellular products require renewal each March.
Note that modular approval is allowed however SABS EMC approval is required for all products that don’t hold ICASA approval certificates. So if you apply for ICASA approval of the RF module, SABS EMC approval will be required for each host product (end product that the module goes in). We feel the best strategy is to apply for ICASA approval for each end product instead of ICASA and SABS.
(SABS) South African Bureau of Standards
SABS is required for any device with an electrical component. This is a safety approval.
SABS approval refers to certification provided by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), which is the national standardization body of South Africa. SABS is responsible for developing and maintaining South African National Standards (SANS) and providing various forms of certification to ensure that products, services, and systems meet the required standards for safety, quality, and performance.
SABS approval is widely recognized across different industries in South Africa and ensures that products meet the necessary national standards, comply with regulations, and are safe for use in the market. If a product requires ICASA certification it is usually if not always exempt from the SABS process because EMC and low-voltage reports as well as supporting documentation are provided to ICASA. So for a wireless device ICASA is taking the place of SABS as well as certifying the radio/telecom aspects.
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SABS approval in South Africa requires acceptable CB or UL reports.
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One sample required for in country testing including all cable, connectors and software to put it in test mode.
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Factory inspection is required. This is a SABS CoC inspection, ISO9001 and CIG023 are not accepted. Manufacture will need to cover cost of travel expenses for the inspector.
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A local representative is required to submit the documents. Should the client not have a source in South Africa to fulfill that role, CSIA can provide that service.
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Lead time is approximately 8-10 weeks from the time all documents have been collected but will ultimately be determined based on what type of test reports are provided.
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Once issued the SABS certificate is valid for 3 years at which time a renewal is required.
(NRCS) National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications
NRCS is required for any device that plugs into the mains.
NRCS approval in South Africa refers to certification issued by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), which is a government agency that enforces compulsory standards and specifications for certain products and services in South Africa. The NRCS operates under the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) and is responsible for ensuring that products meet safety, quality, and environmental standards, as required by South African law.
Product Categories Requiring NRCS Approval:
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Electrical Products: Many electrical appliances, such as refrigerators, toasters, and electrical cables, must be NRCS-approved to ensure they meet safety and energy efficiency standards.
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Automotive Components: Components such as tires, brake linings, and lighting systems for vehicles are subject to NRCS approval to ensure they are safe and compliant with South African road safety standards.
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Fuel and Lubricants: Petrol, diesel, and lubricating oils are subject to NRCS approval to ensure they meet specified quality standards and safety regulations.
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Building Materials: Construction products like cement, steel, and insulation materials are often required to meet specific standards enforced by the NRCS.
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Consumer Goods: Certain consumer goods such as toys, food packaging, and personal protective equipment (PPE) also need NRCS approval to confirm they are safe for use.
Requirements for NRCS approval in South Africa:
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NRCS approval in South Africa requires acceptable CB report that must be less than 3 years old. The need for the CB report does not depend on the accreditation of the laboratory where the tests are performed, but rather comes from the complete Safety Test Report of which it is a part. In South Africa, the CB report and Safety test reports are linked and must be presented together as requirements for the submission of NRCS approval.
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NRCS may request one sample for testing after review of compliance folder.
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Lead time is approximately 8-10 weeks from the time all documents have been collected.
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The certificate is valid for 3 years.
South Africa ICASA label requirements:
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Labels must be affixed to the device before the device is made available for sales or lease or is supplied in any other manner. The label must be legible and protected against damage.
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The Label must bear ICASA logo and issued certificate number (TA XXXX-YYYY).
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Labels may be obtained from ICASA upon payment of applicable fee.
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In the event of suppliers wishing to produce their own label, a written request must be submitted for ICASA Approval prior to supply or use of equipment. ICASA will issue a formal letter in response to supplier's request to confirm if proposed label design has been approved.
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The minimum size of the ICASA logo on the label must be 3mm high and 3mm wide, the certificate number must be 1mm high, and the height to width ratio of the overall ICASA label must be 1:2. (e.g. 10 x 20 mm).
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E-labeling can also be used as an alternative method; a written request must be submitted for ICASA.
South Africa SABS label requirements:
SABS Product Marking ensures that products meet safety, quality, and redress requirements. Some of the requirements for SABS labels include:
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Manufacturer information: The label must include the manufacturer's brand name or permit number.
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Model number: The label must include the model number.
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Ratings: The label must include ratings requirements such as voltage, current, power, and frequency.
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Standard number: If only a small subset of the specification is tested, the standard number must be added to the marking.
South Africa NRCS label requirements:
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in South Africa does not have mandatory product marking requirements to ensure compliance with National Safety Standards. Instead, a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the NRCS is sufficient to demonstrate compliance.
Frequencies allowed in South Africa
900 MHz is allowed but there are certain restrictions.
Wi-Fi spectrum is available in the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands and is unlicensed, meaning it is open to customers and providers without getting permission or paying for it.
ICASA opened the lower 6 GHz band (5.925–6.425 GHz) for indoor, low-power Wi-Fi use. ICASA also published an RFI to create an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) database to allow spectrum sharing between unlicensed and incumbent users
Regulatory Updates For South Africa
June 2023
Following December’s public consultation, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has amended the table of radio frequency spectrum license exemptions incorporating the lower 6 GHz band for the provision of Wi-Fi services and the 122-246 GHz frequency band for Non-Specific Short-range Applications.
November 2022
The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) announced the implementation of the SABS ILAC EMC CoC Certification Process.
Based on this announcement of the new SABS ILAC EMC CoC Certification Process can manufacturers of non-telecommunication electronic and electrical equipment starting from 1st November 2022 apply for a SABS EMC Certificate of Compliance (CoC) by using EMC test reports from any laboratory that has been accredited by the International Laboratories Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). In the past SABS just accepted EMC test reports issued by SABS affiliated laboratories (SABS A-Labs).
A SABS EMC CoC is required for any non-telecommunication electronic and electrical product entering the South African market.
January 2022
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published an amendment to the Radio Spectrum Regulations 2015. This text updates technical requirements for Radio Apparatus exempt from radio frequency spectrum licences.
June 2021
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) released Draft Equipment Authorization Regulations in the Government Gazette on March 31, 2021 which proposes a new type approval system based on three classes of equipment:
Classification 1: Low Risk Equipment
Classification 2: Medium Risk Equipment
Classification 3: High Risk Equipment
Classification 1 equipment will be exempted from Equipment Authorization, while Class 2 and 3 equipment will be subject to the applicable conformity assessment approach. Under the new regulation, the conformity assessment approach will include two processes:
Certification Application Process, resulting in a CoC
Equipment Authorization Process, resulting in a Homologation CertificatePrior ICASA approvals will continue to remain valid, however products with prior approval will need to comply with the updated ICASA compliance mark. Adoption of the regulation is expected in early 2022, with implementation in mid-late 2022.
May 2021
NRCS (National Regulatory for Compulsory Specifications) has started the implementation of the SANS/IEC 62368 standard. The standard (IEC 62368) is allowed in the approval process by the NRCS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications). Note that all approved safety test reports with this standard are now accepted.
As a reminder, the standard (IEC 62368) is the combination of the scopes of standards 60950 (ICT Equipment) and 60065
(Audio/Video (AV) products). For the time being, standards 60950 and 60065 are still used in the country in addition to
62368.
March 2021
Spectrum auction of 4G and 5G postponed due to legal disputes
ICASA has halted the auctions of radio frequency spectrum licences pending the outcome of the court processes.
This could potentially delay the roll out of 5G in South Africa.
Contact CSIA for more updates on this issue.
August 2019
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) recently created and amendment to Annexure B of the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, 2015.
This updated amendment, now called Amended Radio Frequency Spectrum Amendment Regulations, 2019 made the following changes:
Inductive Devices: 9-140 kHz
ULP-AMI Devices: 9-315 kHz
ULP-AIDS and Peripherals: 315-600 kHz
RFID: 865-868 MHz
WLAN: 2400-2483.5 MHz
Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Communication Devices: 3100-3400 MHz
Wireless Access Systems/Radio Local Access Network (WAS & RLAN): 5470-5725 MHz