"IoT Wireless Device Certification and Registration Simplification" Notice Amendment

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it has revised the "Notification on Conformity Assessment of Broadcasting and Communication Equipment," which eases the conformity assessment burden on companies manufacturing and selling ICT products and reflects new environments, and will implement it from the 20th.

Conformity assessment refers to the system in which manufacturers, sellers, and importers of broadcasting and communication equipment verify whether their products meet technical standards before market distribution and obtain radio certification or registration.

The main contents of this revision include ▲ simplification of conformity assessment procedures for Internet of Things (IoT) convergence wireless devices ▲ indication of radio certification and registration through QR codes ▲ exemption from conformity assessment for science experiment assembly kits ▲ clarification of equipment subject to electromagnetic compatibility assessment ▲ and deregulation of wired terminal devices.

First, regarding the conformity assessment procedures for IoT convergence wireless devices, if wireless modules (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, etc.) are removed from or replaced with other certified or registered wireless modules in smart home appliances or wearable devices, companies can sell the products by submitting only a change report. Previously, certification or registration had to be obtained again for each finished product, but this has been simplified.

Additionally, radio certification and registration can also be indicated through QR codes, reducing the burden on companies to label many products individually.

Furthermore, science experiment assembly kits using low power such as batteries (excluding those with wireless functions) are exempted from conformity assessment as long as consumers are informed that the assessment has not been conducted, and the targets for electromagnetic compatibility assessment among electrical, electronic, and multimedia devices have been clarified. By minimizing provisions such as 'other similar devices,' ambiguity and confusion are expected to decrease.

Moreover, considering the gradual decline in the use of wired terminal devices such as wired telephones and fax machines, all conformity certifications have been relaxed to conformity registrations.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "This was prepared after collecting opinions from related companies and discussing with experts over several months since the end of last year," and added, "While easing pre-regulations to allow various ideas to flourish in the market in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, we will strengthen post-management to protect the health and property of the public."

Detailed revision contents of the notification can be found in the legal information archive on the website of the National Radio Research Agency (http://rra.go.kr).