Is ICASA Certification Necessary

[CBMusic]

Hi All,

I am wondering exactly which devices need to be ICASA certified. We are looking at selling products which connect to the internet via Ethernet cable only. Would these need to be ICASA certified?

If the device has a USB port which can have a dongle connected for internet connectivity, would this require ICASA certification?

 

[PaulGherkin]

No, however the moment it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ISM band RF, or such then yes you need ICASA certification

 

[Tacet]

No, however the moment it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ISM band RF, or such then yes you need ICASA certification

Mmm, what about EMC? Most of our industry seems to ignore it, but you need EMC certification from ICASA even for wired products.

https://www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/List-of-Regulated-Standards-For-Technical-Equipment-and-Electronic-Communications-Equipment-Regulations.pdf

 

[PaulGherkin]

Mmm, what about EMC? Most of our industry seems to ignore it, but you need EMC certification from ICASA even for wired products.

https://www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/List-of-Regulated-Standards-For-Technical-Equipment-and-Electronic-Communications-Equipment-Regulations.pdf

EMC is a different animal and yes, that's handled by the SABS NOT ICASA.

 

[CBMusic]

No, however the moment it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ISM band RF, or such then yes you need ICASA certification

Thanks Paul,

If the products are for RFID which uses the 865-868 MHz or 902-928 MHz range, would they require ICASA certification?

 

[PaulGherkin]

Thanks Paul,

If the products are for RFID which uses the 865-868 MHz or 902-928 MHz range, would they require ICASA certification?

Indeed.. the 868MHz band is the ISM band
If approved you will be then allowed to put the TA number on the device either in the form of a sticker or print it yourself.

What you are after is TYPE APPROVAL, its the same type of test and approval as the ETSI and other harmonized standards in the EU. And of course the FCC in the US.

Last time I did this, the forms were on ICASA's website with the procedure.

 

[Tacet]

EMC is a different animal and yes, that's handled by the SABS NOT ICASA.

The SABS signed a MoU with ICASA in 2016/2017. EMC type approval is done by ICASA.

Type approval requirements for South Africa – Independent Communications Authority of South Africa

Find out more about how Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment is authorized by the ICASA to be used in South Africa.

www.icasa.org.za

Any Equipment used or to be used in connection with the provision of electronic communications, unless explicitly exempted by the Authority, is subject to Type Approval by the Authority.

The type approval and licensing process consists of the following three phases:

• Testing of the performance in accordance with the applicable technical standards
• Testing of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – both emission and immunity measurements

 

[PaulGherkin]

The SABS signed a MoU with ICASA in 2016/2017. EMC type approval is done by ICASA.

Type approval requirements for South Africa – Independent Communications Authority of South Africa

Find out more about how Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment is authorized by the ICASA to be used in South Africa.

www.icasa.org.za

OK I didn't know that, I haven't been in the engineering game since 2014- I am a software developer now