ICASA Calls for Comment on New Type Approval Regulations by End of Today

22 February 2013

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published new draft regulations for type approval of electronic communications equipment and facilities. Comment on the regulations closes by end of business today (Friday, 22 February 2013).

ISPA calls on its affected members to take advantage of this opportunity to make their opinions known. “If you’re a supplier of this type of equipment, it is worth your while to take this chance to read the draft regulations and make the necessary input,” said Dominic Cull, ISPA’s regulatory advisor.

“These regulations are published in terms of Section 35 the Electronic Communications Act, and they mandate the new process through which any equipment, device or system is authorised for use in South Africa,” adds Cull.

All electronic equipment used in South Africa to provide electronic communications needs to be certified by ICASA. The regulations cover radio, telecommunications and telecommunication terminal equipment. There is a non-refundable fee payable for the approval, and certifications last for five years. It’s important to note that equipment certified under the existing regulations will remain valid under the new regime when it is introduced.

Requests for certification must be accompanied by tests confirming compliance with the published technical standards; technical, physical, operational, installation and user information; software and firmware version numbers and a declaration of how the obsolete equipment will be disposed of in an environment-friendly manner. Test reports must come from an accredited testing laboratory, and must not be more than five years old.

“Maintaining appropriate equipment standards is an important element in creating an enabling environment for a globally competitive digital economy,” says Mr Cull. “The industry must play its part in ensuring that the regulations are in line with its needs.”

The regulations are published at http://www.ellipsis.co.za/draft-type-approval-regulations-2013/ along with the Government Gazette with information about the submission of comments.