Type Approval FAQ

In terms of section 35 (1) of the Electronic Communications Act, “No person may use, supply, sell, offer for sale or lease or hire any type of electronic communications equipment or electronic communications facility, including radio apparatus, used or to be used in connection with the provision of electronic communications, unless such equipment, electronic communications facility or radio apparatus has, subject to subsection (2), been approved by the Authority”.

Electronic communications devices are Type Approved to ensure they function harmoniously with other devices. If a device is operating on a frequency channel that it is not supposed to or its power output is above the prescribed limits. In that case, it is more likely to cause interference to other devices, hence the need for all equipment to be Type Approved by ICASA.

Only South African registered entities can apply for Type Approval. 

1.  Technical, physical, operational, installation, and user information;

2. A brief technical description of the equipment, including information relevant to compliance;

3. Circuit diagrams and PCB layouts for those equipment parts directly impact compliance with the technical requirements. For Example, network interface circuits and radio interfaces;

4. Identification of software and firmware that may affect the compliance of a network interface or have an effect on radio frequency emissions

5. If the equipment is an interface card or module for installation in host equipment, the description shall provide sufficient information for compatible hosts to be determined;

6. Components (parts lists) that are critical to compliance shall be identified and fully specified with suitable tolerances;

7. Identification of the telecommunications networks concerned and any intentional radio spectrum usage; and

8. Test reports (RF, EMC, EMI & Safety) confirming compliance with the applicable standards

Yes. According to the Labelling Regulations 2013, no products should be sold without the label affixed to the product and the packaging.  

ICASA gives applicants two options about labeling: you can order labels directly from ICASA, or you can apply to self-print the titles or use a service provider approved by ICASA.

The 30 working days is approximately six weeks, but in reality, the process can take months and even years (worst case scenario). Still, with All Tech Compliance in charge of your application, you are guaranteed to get the certificate within the stipulated timelines. T’s & C’s Apply 

On the applicant's side, the common cause is an incomplete application and missing test reports, but on ICASA's side, there can be many reasons for the delay, but one of them is an overwhelming number of applications they receive daily. Still, one.

Yes, applications do get rejected, but it’s scarce. 

There are many reasons that an application can be rejected, but the most common reasons are:

• If the device does not meet the minimum performance requirements,
• If some of the essential requirements of the relevant standards are not tested,
• If an uncredited laboratory tested the test reports,
• If the equipment is operating in the wrong frequency band or a band allocated for other services or
• If the application is incomplete

Only four (4) models can be included per application. However, the models must be of the same equipment and must be tested together in the tests reports.

The test reports must be tested on SANS or EN (European Standards) standards.

FCC test reports are not accepted in South Africa. The reports can only be accepted if they are proven technically equivalent to the relevant SANS or EN Standard.