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EMC (SABS) and RF (ICASA) Type Approval in South Africa
In 2016, the ‘Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)’ and ‘South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)’, signed a MoU to prevent low quality electronic products from entering the South African market.
1. EMC - SABS Type Approval
SABS is an EMC conformity certification body, which is mandatory certification for electromagnetic waves in South Africa. SABS determines the national standards that must be complied with in order to get the EMC Approval certificate, known as the SABS CoC (Certificate of Compliance).
SABS is an EMC conformity certification body, which is mandatory certification for electromagnetic waves in South Africa. SABS determines the national standards that must be complied with in order to get the EMC Approval certificate, known as the SABS CoC (Certificate of Compliance).
SABS is applicable to all non-telecommunications products. Products for which ICASA is not applicable will require mandatory SABS approval. According to SABS, products that have ICASA Type Approval do not require SABS.
SABS testing for EMC compliance can only be performed by Authorised Laboratories known as SABS A-Lab, according to the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
SABS Approval has a 3-year validity period and the petitioner must provide a Local Supplier in order to obtain it.
Product scope
For example. Information technology equipment (ITE), Household appliances, Electrical tools, Electrical lighting equipment, Uninterruptible power systems (UPS), Vehicles, boats and internal combustion engine control devices, Equipment low voltage switchgear, control unit and power supply (with, DC - output)
SABS testing for EMC compliance can only be performed by Authorised Laboratories known as SABS A-Lab, according to the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
SABS Approval has a 3-year validity period and the petitioner must provide a Local Supplier in order to obtain it.
Product scope
For example. Information technology equipment (ITE), Household appliances, Electrical tools, Electrical lighting equipment, Uninterruptible power systems (UPS), Vehicles, boats and internal combustion engine control devices, Equipment low voltage switchgear, control unit and power supply (with, DC - output)
SABS test report requires:
- The test report must have a UIN(Unique Identification Number).
- The UIN must capture with an EUT photo.
- The test report must have three logos (Test Lab, Accreditation body, SABS).
- The full test results with units of measurement must be captured in the test report.
- The photos of the testing set-up must be captured on the test report.
- The photo and clear description of the product that was tested must be shown in the test report
- Signature for commissioner of oath on the application form
SABS labels:
SABS Product Marking ensures that the product meets Safety, Quality and Redress requirements. The label must be displayed as seen below:
- The test report must have a UIN(Unique Identification Number).
- The UIN must capture with an EUT photo.
- The test report must have three logos (Test Lab, Accreditation body, SABS).
- The full test results with units of measurement must be captured in the test report.
- The photos of the testing set-up must be captured on the test report.
- The photo and clear description of the product that was tested must be shown in the test report
- Signature for commissioner of oath on the application form
SABS labels:
SABS Product Marking ensures that the product meets Safety, Quality and Redress requirements. The label must be displayed as seen below:
And must include:
- Manufacturer’s trade or brand name (If there is no brand name, the manufacturer’s permit number will suffice)
- Model number
- Rating requirements (Voltage, current, power, frequency…)
- When a small subset of the specification is tested, the standard number will be added to the marking.
2. ICASA RF approval
In accordance with the South African standard, products with wireless or wired communication technology must obtain mandatory approval/type approval from ICASA by the local importer or agent prior to export/sale/customs clearance.
- Manufacturer’s trade or brand name (If there is no brand name, the manufacturer’s permit number will suffice)
- Model number
- Rating requirements (Voltage, current, power, frequency…)
- When a small subset of the specification is tested, the standard number will be added to the marking.
2. ICASA RF approval
In accordance with the South African standard, products with wireless or wired communication technology must obtain mandatory approval/type approval from ICASA by the local importer or agent prior to export/sale/customs clearance.
Testing for ICASA approval can only be performed at an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Testing Laboratory. Applicant must provide a local supplier (the certificate will specify the specific supplier ). The validity of ICASA approval is unlimited
Target products:
Includes Bluetooth/Wi-Fi devices, short range devices, GSM/Cellular frequencies, analog, digital communications, fax machines, modems, telephone terminals and related equipment, most All wireless devices and terminals connected to the public telephone network as well as other wired and wireless devices.
ICASA labels:
All equipment that has been Type-Approved by ICASA must be labeled and comply with the National Authority’s Labelling Regulations:
- The minimum size of the ICASA logo is 3mmx3mm.
- The height to width ratio of the overall ICASA label must be 1:2 (e.g. 10 x 20 mm)
- The label must have the ICASA logo and certificate number issued by ICASA
- The ICASA certificate number must follow the following format: TA XXXX-YYYY, in which:
TA: Type approval
XXXX: Year the TA Certificate was issued
YYYY: Serial number issued by ICASA.
- The label must be clearly legible on both the equipment and its packaging. The label must be properly protected against any damage that it may incur and that could lead to confusion. When requesting type approval, Local Suppliers must indicate whether an e-label and/or a printed label will be affixed to the equipment.
Target products:
Includes Bluetooth/Wi-Fi devices, short range devices, GSM/Cellular frequencies, analog, digital communications, fax machines, modems, telephone terminals and related equipment, most All wireless devices and terminals connected to the public telephone network as well as other wired and wireless devices.
ICASA labels:
All equipment that has been Type-Approved by ICASA must be labeled and comply with the National Authority’s Labelling Regulations:
- The minimum size of the ICASA logo is 3mmx3mm.
- The height to width ratio of the overall ICASA label must be 1:2 (e.g. 10 x 20 mm)
- The label must have the ICASA logo and certificate number issued by ICASA
- The ICASA certificate number must follow the following format: TA XXXX-YYYY, in which:
TA: Type approval
XXXX: Year the TA Certificate was issued
YYYY: Serial number issued by ICASA.
- The label must be clearly legible on both the equipment and its packaging. The label must be properly protected against any damage that it may incur and that could lead to confusion. When requesting type approval, Local Suppliers must indicate whether an e-label and/or a printed label will be affixed to the equipment.
Contact information for consultation:
GCL (HCM) COMPANY LIMITED
Hotline: 0393423091 | Hanoi: 02473099929
Email: hcm@gclab.org | louise.vietnam@pcn-global.com
Office: No. 27, Street 12, Khang Dien Residential Area, Phuoc Long B Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
Testing Lab: No. 115, An Phu Alley 04, An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province.
GCL (HCM) COMPANY LIMITED
Hotline: 0393423091 | Hanoi: 02473099929
Email: hcm@gclab.org | louise.vietnam@pcn-global.com
Office: No. 27, Street 12, Khang Dien Residential Area, Phuoc Long B Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
Testing Lab: No. 115, An Phu Alley 04, An Phu Ward, Thuan An City, Binh Duong Province.
