Release Date: May 2026 | Target Audience: Vehicle radio/infotainment manufacturers, DAB module suppliers, EU auto parts exporters

Most new clients are confused about applicable standards, test items and product classification for DAB certification. This article sorts out full standard numbers, test item breakdown and certification path matching rules.

1. Position of ETSI TS 101 756 in DAB Certification System

ETSI TS 101 756 full name: Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Registered Tables, a DAB system parameter dictionary defining metadata coding methods and service information (SI) field definitions.

It serves as a product design guideline rather than a test standard. DAB receiver design must comply with its specifications to pass subsequent EN 300 401 and EN 303 186 tests, but no independent certification or testing is required for TS 101 756 itself.

Actual DAB certification test standards vary by two mainstream certification paths.

  2. Two DAB Certification Paths & Applicable Standards

Path 1: Full Vehicle EU WVTA Type Approval (OEM Front-Loading Market)

Applicable to M1/N1 vehicles applying for type approval together with the whole vehicle; DAB function is included in EU WVTA audit. Mandatory standard: ETSI EN 300 401.

Path 2: CE-RED Independent Equipment Certification (Aftermarket & Household Market)

Applicable to standalone DAB radios, DAB receiver modules and aftermarket vehicle radios. Applicable harmonized standards: ETSI EN 300 401 + ETSI EN 303 186.

Core difference: Front-loading WVTA adopts narrower mandatory standards; aftermarket CE-RED requires comprehensive performance and RF testing per harmonized standards. Confirm the certification path with the testing body before sample submission to avoid wrong standard testing.

  3. Full Standard List by Certification Path

Front-Loading EU WVTA Market

·ETSI EN 300 401: Basic DAB system standard defining modulation, channel coding, time/frequency interleaving and OFDM parameters; core compliance basis for EU WVTA DAB reception.

Aftermarket & Household CE-RED Market

·ETSI EN 300 401: Same basic standard as front-loading, focusing on receiver-side performance indicators.

·ETSI EN 303 186: CE-RED harmonized standard for DAB receivers, stipulating full performance requirements including sensitivity, decoding capability and service information analysis.

Industry Recommended Specification for Both Paths

·ETSI TS 103 461: Full name Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+); Rules for implementation of DAB in car applications, a recommended automotive industry specification not directly mandated by EU regulations.

It is usually included in OEM factory acceptance specifications for Hard Link handover and dynamic reconfiguration requirements; aftermarket products generally do not require full testing unless specified by clients.

  4. Test Item Breakdown by Standard & Path

-EU WVTA Path (Mainly EN 300 401)

RF Receiving Performance

·Minimum usable field strength sensitivity

·Adjacent channel selectivity

·Blocking characteristics

·Intermodulation response

Demodulation Performance

·DAB signal acquisition time

·Signal re-acquisition time after loss

·BER performance under different field strengths

Frequency Band Coverage

·VHF Band III (174~240 MHz) reception

·L-Band (1452~1492 MHz) reception (if supported)

-CE-RED Path (EN 300 401 + EN 303 186)

All EN 300 401 items plus EN 303 186 exclusive tests:Receiver Performance

·Reference sensitivity level

·Adjacent channel rejection

·Image frequency rejection

·Intermediate frequency rejection

·Intermodulation rejection

Audio Decoding

·MPEG-1 Audio Layer II & HE-AAC v2 decoding correctness

·Decoding latency

·Error concealment performance

Function Compliance

·Service switching response time

·Dynamic reconfiguration processing

·Service information (SI) parsing accuracy

-ETSI TS 103 461 Automotive Special Test Items (Factory Acceptance Only)

·Hard Link seamless audio handover

·Dynamic reconfiguration stability

·Multi-language service switching latency

·Cold start signal acquisition time

·Reception stability under rapid signal strength fluctuation

  5. Applicable Product Classification by Certification Path

EU WVTA Path Products

·Front-Loading Vehicle Infotainment System: DAB function integrated on motherboard, audited as part of whole vehicle WVTA; supplementary EN 303 186/TS 103 461 tests depend on certification body and OEM requirements.

·M1/N1 New Vehicles: Mandatory DAB/DAB+ reception configuration for type approval applications after December 21, 2020 per EECC Directive Article 113, no exemption allowed.

CE-RED Path Products

·Aftermarket Vehicle DAB Radio: Mandatory EN 300 401 + EN 303 186 testing for EU market sales, no WVTA required.

·Household DAB/DAB+ Radio: Exempt from automotive WVTA, only CE-RED standard testing required without TS 103 461 automotive items.

·DAB Receiver Module: Certified via CE-RED RF equipment path with main EN 300 401 testing; module certification cannot replace  system integration verification.

ETSI TS 101 756 is a DAB parameter dictionary rather than a test standard; DAB test standards and test items vary by certification path. For standard matching and test scheme customization, contact Blueasia Technical Testing & Certification Consultant: 13534225140