When planning to enter the Canadian market with electrical/electronic products, understanding ISED's IC mandatory certification requirements is essential. This guide covers required documentation and certificate validity for efficiently obtaining this market "passport."
Canada's IC certification is mandatory for electrical/electronic products, managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). It primarily ensures compliance with Canada's EMC and radio communication regulations, preventing harmful interference.
Certification Modes:
·IC Certification (or ICES Verification): For non-wireless products (e.g., power supplies, appliances, computer peripherals). Typically uses self-declaration.
·IC-ID Certification: For wireless products (e.g., Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi routers, smartphones). Requires certification and a unique IC-ID number.
Required Documentation List:
For IC certification, especially IC-ID, prepare these technical files/docs
General Core Documentation (Typically required for all product applications)
1.Product Description Documents:
·User Manual (English): Product usage instructions and operational guidelines.
·Technical Specifications Sheet: Detailed electrical parameters and specifications.
·Operational Description: English document describing product functionality.
2.Technical Design Documents:
·Circuit Schematics: Including product schematics, PCB layout.
·Block Diagram: Showing main components and functional modules; must indicate all crystal frequencies, quantities, and locations.
3.Company Qualification & Application Documents:
·Business License: Proof of legal business entity status.
·Application Form: Completed IC certification application form.
·Product Photos: Including exterior appearance and internal structure photos.
4.Test Reports: From an ISED-accredited laboratory, e.g., electromagnetic emissions reports.
Additional Requirements for Wireless Products (IC-ID):
If your product has wireless functions (applying for IC-ID), besides the general docs above, also and prepare:
1.Sample Requirements: Typically need one RF-constant sample and one regular sample. The constant sample ensures continuous transmission at specific frequencies for multi-channel products, facilitating testing.
2.Wireless Module Technical Parameters: Provide detailed parameters like frequency range, channel numbers, max output power, antenna gain, modulation type, etc.
3.Label Information: Product label must include: Manufacturer Name or Trademark, Model Name, IC ID Number (format typically `IC:XXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY`).
4.Local Representative Information: This is mandatory. Non-Canadian companies must appoint a Canadian Local Representative and provide their address and contact details.
5.Bilingual Requirement: Warning labels on the product or in the manual must include both English and French.
Certificate Validity Explained:
Information on IC certificate validity varies, potentially due to product type or certification mode differences:
·5-Year Validity: Some sources indicate IC certificates are typically valid for 5 years.
·6-Year Validity (with mid-term review): Other sources state a 6-year validity, but require a review in the 3rd year to ensure ongoing compliance with latest safety/quality standards.
·Validity Tied to Standard Updates: Another perspective is that IC certificate validity is **based on standard updates; the certificate remains valid as long as the relevant product standards haven't changed.
Given these differences, the safest approach is to closely monitor ISED's latest policy/standard updates and communicate with your certification body for accurate validity information for your product.
Practical Tips for IC Certification:
1.Monitor Standard Updates: ISED technical specifications are updated continuously; make tracking standard updates core to maintaining certificate validity.
2.Ensure Label Compliance: The IC-ID must be permanently marked on the product, with font height typically ≥1mm.
3.Prepare Bilingual Documents: User manuals may need English & French versions.
4.Leverage FCC Reports: IC testing aligns closely with U.S. FCC; consider joint application to potentially reuse reports, saving cost and time.
We hope this guide helps you efficiently complete Canada's IC certification. For specific issues, consult professional agencies or ISED directly. Contact BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140 for professional certification advisory services.
