UAE DAB+ certification is a mandatory compliance assessment for digital audio broadcasting equipment, jointly regulated by the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), implemented under Regulation UAE.S 5021:2018. Non-compliant products face customs detention, market removal, and substantial fines (up to approximately RMB 350,000). Below are the latest certification requirements and practical guidelines effective through November 2025.

I. Core Changes and Scope of DAB+ Certification:

1. Mandatory Product Expansion:

- New Categories (2025):

- Smart wearable devices (e.g., DAB+-enabled smartwatches);

- IoT-based in-vehicle entertainment systems (requiring integrated Emergency Warning System (EWS) and Arabic interface).

- Narrowed Exemptions: Devices originally supporting only AM/FM must undergo mandatory certification if equipped with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi functionality.

2. Technical Standard Upgrades:

- Foundational Standard: ETSI EN 300 401 (RF performance, HE-AAC v2 audio coding).

- Enhanced Local Requirements:

- In-vehicle devices: Temperature cycling (-40°C to 85°C) + vibration testing (per UAE.S 5021:2018);

- Cybersecurity: DAB+-enabled smart devices must comply with UNECE R155 protocol (signal hijacking prevention).

  II. Key Updates for 2025 Regulations:

1. Mandatory Emergency Broadcast Functionality:

- All in-vehicle devices must support Emergency Warning System (EWS) with ≤3-second response time;

-Test Standard: ETSI TS 103 461 (new in-vehicle specific protocol added in 2025).

2. Energy Efficiency & Labeling Updates:

- Standby power consumption for devices with charging functionality must ≤0.5W (per EU 2019/1782);

-Starting September 2025, products must use the new ECAS energy efficiency label (minimum size ≥ 3cm × 1.5cm).

3. Cybersecurity and Data Protocols:

-New IPv6 protocol testing (RFC8200) added; certification cycle extended by 1-2 weeks for non-pre-adapted devices;

-Smart speaker products must pass TLS 1.3 encryption verification.

  III. DAB+ Certification Fee Structure and Cost Reduction Strategy:

1. 2025 Fee Adjustments:

2. Hidden Cost Control:

- Remediation retesting: Accounts for 30%-60% of initial costs (common for EMC non-compliance);

- Multi-country certification: Adding Saudi SASO-2938 certification increases cost by ¥20,000–60,000.

3. Cost-reduction recommendations:

- Multi-certification in one go: Leverage CE-RED reports to cover partial testing (e.g., EMC, safety);

- Localized Services: Apply through ESMA-accredited labs to avoid resubmissions due to document rejections.

  IV. DAB+ Certificate Maintenance and Market Surveillance

1. Certificate Validity:

- Standard validity: 3 years; Saudi Arabia: shortened to 2 years (requires annual renewal);

- Annual maintenance fee: 10%-20% of certificate cost.

2. Ongoing Compliance Requirements:

- Design Changes: Hardware modifications (e.g., antenna replacement) require recertification at 30%-70% of initial cost;

- Market Sampling: TDRA conducts annual random inspections; non-compliant products face certificate revocation;

- Standard Upgrades: Supplementary testing required if ETSI adds HE-AAC v3 encoding.

  V. Common Pitfalls and Countermeasures:

1. Language and Functionality Gaps:

- Issue: Failure to configure Arabic interface or EWS response timeout (＞3 seconds);

- Countermeasure: Select multi-language supported chipsets (e.g., NXP TEF700x) and reserve 20% processing redundancy in firmware.

2. Misinterpretation of Testing Standards:

-Issue: Submitting FCC reports instead of ETSI standards, resulting in rejection by TDRA;

-Response: Strictly adhere to ETSI EN 300 401 V2.1.1 testing protocols, using FCC design principles only as reference.

3. Lack of Authorized Agent Qualification:

-Issue: Non-UAE companies failing to designate local agents, leading to application rejection;

- Solution: Engage TDRA-approved agencies through authorized institutions (e.g., Blue Asia Testing).

The UAE's new DAB+ certification regulations emphasize cybersecurity, emergency functionality, and energy efficiency upgrades. Enterprises must build compliance barriers through forward-looking design (embedding IPv6, EWS), precise testing (avoiding EMC pitfalls), and localized collaboration (agents, laboratories). With the 2025 mandate for 100% in-vehicle device compliance approaching, securing early certification will become a key competitive advantage for capturing the Middle East market. Blue Asia Technology: +86 13534225140, providing professional certification consulting services.