Document Requirements for India Type Approval

In India, there are two types of certification for telecommunications products: WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE. Both require different documents when applying. By understanding the document requirements for India type approval, you will understand the difference.

This certification is proof that devices distributed and marketed in India meet established safety and quality standards. The Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) and the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) are the two authorities that regulate the document requirements for India type approval, specifically for telecommunications products.

This article will help you understand the document requirements for India type approval. This way, you can prepare early and avoid errors or missing documents.

Different Types of Certification

Before understanding the document requirements for India type approval, it’s important to understand the types of certifications required to market products in the country. India type approval has five different types of certifications.

• Equipment Type Approval (ETA), which is issued by Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC)
• Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
• Certification of Telecom Equipment, which is issued by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre and Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (TEC MTCTE)
• BEE certification, which is issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency

Each type actually has different document requirements for India type approval application. We will focus solely on WPC ETA and TEC MTECTE, which are certifications for telecommunications products.

By understanding the differences between these types, the certification application process will run smoothly and effectively.

1. WPC ETA

WPC ETA is a certification required for products operating in license-free frequency bands. As part of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications of India, the WPC ensures that all such products are certified.

Examples of products requiring WPC ETA certification include devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, Zigbee, NFC, or other radio frequency technologies.

WPC ETA certification can only be achieved through document or paperwork evaluation. Therefore, applicants must have test reports from foreign laboratories that comply with Indian standards.

2. TEC MTCTE

TEC MTCTE is a certification required for all telecommunications products directly connected to telecommunications networks. Under the Department of Telecommunications of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of India, TEC ensures that all products meeting this definition comply with applicable standards.

Examples of products requiring TEC MTCTE certification include wire telephone equipment, modems, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Passive Optical Network (PON), mobile radio trunking systems, and other telecommunications technologies.

TEC MTCTE certification can only be achieved through local testing. Therefore, passing the testing in the Indian lab will affect the submission process for all documents.

What are the Document Requirements for Thailand Type Approval?

Now that you understand the differences between WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE, it’s time to learn about the document requirements for India type approval. The following are the documents required for each type of certification.

1. Document requirements for WPC ETA certification 

Here are the documents that you must prepare for WPC ETA certification:

1. Business License and its English translation
2. ISO Quality Management (9001: 2015)
3. RF test reports 
4. Trademark Certificate
5. Technical Specification of the Product
6. User Manual of the Product
7. Contact Details as per Form A (Format Attached)
8. GST /COI of the Indian Company
9. KYC of the Authorized Signatory
10. Authorization letter from the manufacturer for AIR

2. Document requirements for TEC MTCTE certification 

Here are the documents that you must prepare for TEC MTCTE certification:

1. Testing Document- Test SOPs, Commands, and SWs
2. AIR company registration document
3. MOU between AIR and Manufacturer
4. User Manual
5. Specification sheet
6. Product photos
7. Label Artwork
8. BOM (Bill of Materials)

Document Evaluation Process

The document evaluation process is standard for applying for India type approval for WPC ETA certification. There is no local testing for this type of certification. In other words, applicants must obtain test reports from an international laboratory accredited by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

Accreditation is based on ISO/IEC 17025, with standards referenced to Conformité Européenne (CE) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This lab will be used for Radio Frequency (RF) testing.

All documents required for further evaluation will be submitted through the Saral Sanchar portal. Document evaluation by the WPC takes a few days.

The certificate will be issued immediately after the documents pass the evaluation. However, documents that fail the evaluation must be completed and resubmitted for re-evaluation by the WPC.

Local Testing Process

The local testing process is the standard for applying for India type approval for TEC MTCTE certification. There is no document evaluation option for this type of certification. In other words, testing is conducted directly in a local Indian laboratory.

The process is the same as local testing in other countries. Certification applicants must submit samples for testing. The number and type of samples will depend on the device’s features and testing requirements.

The test reports will then be combined with other required documents for submission through the MTCTE portal. The submitted documents will be evaluated by the TEC.

Those are the document requirements for India type approval that you must prepare. Incomplete documents or ignorance of the appropriate certification type will result in a delayed or rejected certification application.

Therefore, it is important to understand and prepare all the appropriate documentation from the initial stages of application preparation. This will enable you to access the Indian market easily and efficiently.