As the country with the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a highly attractive market. It has 71 million consumers for telecommunications products.
Therefore, before marketing their products in this country, manufacturers, importers, or distributors must understand RF certification in Thailand. By obtaining this certification, you can be sure that your telecommunications products are safe and comply with applicable regulations.
By understanding the comprehensive guide to RF certification in Thailand, you will make your products easier to market and use in this country.
What is RF Certification in Thailand?
RF certification in Thailand is known as NBTC. This stands for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the authority that regulates radio frequencies, telecommunications, broadcasting, and satellite operations in Thailand.
The NBTC certificate serves as a tool to ensure that telecommunications products are safe, compatible, and interference-free. Without this certificate, you will be unable to access the Thai market legally.
Products Requiring Certification
Products that require NBTC certification are divided into three classes: Class A, Class B, and Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). Each category has its own group of products.
Products classified as Class A devices include drones, wireless microphones, vehicle radars, and satellite equipment. Devices falling under the Class A category must be fully registered with the NBTC Office.
Products classified as Class B devices are mobile devices. Devices in the Class B category must be certified at the NBTC Office.
Meanwhile, the SDoC is a scheme intended for products that do not require registration or certification. Typically, this covers products with RF features such as Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, and short-range devices. Devices falling under the SDoC category only need to submit a Declaration of Conformity to the NBTC office.
Who Can Apply for Certification?
Those eligible to apply for RF certification in Thailand are Thai nationals or companies registered under Thai law. Foreign manufacturers cannot apply for this certification directly.
To apply for certification, manufacturers must appoint a Thai company to act as their representative. This representative may be a local importer or distributor.
The appointed local company must hold the relevant license under Thailand’s Broadcasting and Television Business Act. This is required to obtain a supplier code, which will be used for the certification process.
NBTC Certification Process
Generally, the RF certification application process in Thailand has two paths: paperwork and local testing. However, the paperwork or document evaluation route is the most recommended.
This is because local testing in Thailand causes high fees and long wait times. Therefore, to save costs and speed up the process, we generally recommend using the paperwork route.
Document Evaluation
For the paperwork or document evaluation method, you must have a test report from an overseas laboratory. The laboratory must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and comply with CE or FCC standards.
Required documents include:
- Form
- Company registration certificate
- Product catalogue
- Test reports
- Lab accreditation certificate
- Equipment photos (front, back, sides, and label)
Submitting Documents and Evaluation
All required documents must be in Thai or English. Furthermore, these documents must be submitted directly to the NBTC office.
Why must they be sent directly? Because the RF certification application process in Thailand cannot yet be submitted online.
Once the document is received at the NBTC office, the evaluation process will begin. For products that pass the evaluation, the certificate will be prepared for issuance and legalization.
Lead Time and Certificate Validity
Lead times for RF certification in Thailand vary. For Class A and Class B, the lead time is approximately six weeks. For SDoC, it takes approximately two to four business days.
An issued NBTC certificate remains valid as long as there are no changes to the RF specifications. Recertification is required if there are modifications to the antenna, transmission power, or interface card.
Label Requirements
After obtaining RF certification in Thailand, telecommunications products must meet the official labeling requirements set by the NBTC. This is mandatory for all product classes.
Labels for Class A and Class B products have the same format. The label must consist of three components: the registration number, the year of registration, and your four-digit supplier code.
For SDoC products, the format consists solely of a mandatory compliance statement. The statement reads: “This telecommunications equipment complies with NBTC standards or technical requirements.”
Labels for Class A and Class B must be affixed directly to the product in a visible and permanent location. As for the SDoC statement, it must be included in the user manual or product documentation.
