Two frequent questions from IC SDoC applicants: What documents need to be submitted? Does the certification have an expiry date?

IC SDoC shares similarities with FCC SDoC: Both are supplier self-declaration schemes requiring no official approval or ID number application. Nevertheless, Canada has its unique compliance requirements. We answer the two questions in detail below.

1. Required Documents for IC SDoC

Documents are divided into two categories: materials submitted to laboratories before testing, and complete compliance documents archived by enterprises (mandatory for ISED inspections).

1.1 Documents Submitted to Laboratories Before Testing

·Product Specifications: Including functions, operating voltage, clock frequency and interface types for laboratories to determine applicable ICES standards and test schemes.

·Circuit Schematics: Complete design drawings covering power modules, control modules and interface circuits.

·PCB Layout Drawings: Marking component positions and wiring routes.

·BOM (Bill of Materials): Model and specifications of all key components.

·Bilingual English-French User Manuals: Operating instructions, safety warnings and installation guides must be bilingual, a mandatory requirement for Canada as a bilingual country.

·Test Samples: Prepare 2~3 samples (provided by clients and generally not returned after testing). Prepare one extra sample for retention or retest if needed.

1.2 Complete Compliance Documents Archived by Enterprises (Mandatory for ISED Inspections)

All the above documents, plus the signed Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). The declaration shall be manually signed by the manufacturer or authorized person, with name, position, signing date, product model and applicable standards marked clearly. Electronic signatures may not be recognized during inspections, so keep hard-copy signed documents for archiving.

Other archived files:

·Canadian importer filing information (update documents timely if the importer’s name, address or contact details change)

·Samples of ICES compliance labels and format descriptions

·ICES test reports issued by laboratories

All documents shall be properly retained for at least 2 years after products are withdrawn from the Canadian market for traceability and random inspections.

  2. Validity Period of IC SDoC

IC SDoC has no fixed expiry date. Similar to FCC SDoC, it is not a formal certificate with renewal requirements.

Rules for Standard Updates

ICES-GEN Issue 2 has been fully enforced since February 23, 2025, with no transition period in 2026. Newly submitted samples and newly launched products must comply with the new standard and adopt updated compliance labels. Existing products tested and launched before the standard update can continue to use old test reports and label formats without being judged non-compliant.

Rules for Product Modifications

SDoC remains valid if product design, key components and circuit schemes are consistent with the tested version. We classify modifications into three levels:

·Minor changes: Only changes to shell color, silk-screen printing or replacement of components with identical models and specifications (same brand). No impact on compliance; only update internal technical archives.

·Medium changes: Replacement of power modules, adjustment of core PCB wiring or modification of interface filter circuits (directly affecting EMC performance). Deliver revised samples to laboratories for re-tests, and update SDoC declarations and archived documents synchronously. Minor adjustments to appearance or non-critical structures only require archive updates.

·Major changes: Replacement of main control chips, full circuit redesign or addition of new functional modules. A complete set of re-tests, SDoC declaration updates and label revisions are required.

In addition, update archived documents timely if Canadian importer information changes (no re-tests required).

Supplementary Label Rules

Labels are an integral part of SDoC, and pasting qualified labels completes the declaration. Labels must be bilingual in English and French:

·Class B (household use): CAN ICES (B)/NMB (B)

·Class A (industrial use): CAN ICES (A)/NMB (A)

·Traditional detailed formats such as CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3 (B) for IT equipment and CAN ICES-005 (B)/NMB-005 (B) for lighting products are still valid

·New general format CAN ICES/NMB is applicable to all product categories

For products with maximum dimension ≤ 2.5 cm, labels can be placed on user manuals and packages. For products with inner and outer packages, compliance information shall be printed on both inner packages and manuals instead of only outer packages. For multi-unit combined products, labels are pasted on the largest unit by priority.

Labels must be clear and durable; temporary adhesive stickers are prohibited. Laser engraving, screen printing or waterproof durable materials are recommended.

Both FCC Part 15 and Canada ICES basic EMC standards are relatively stable with low update frequency. Enterprises only need to focus on version updates of the general specification ICES-GEN.

IC SDoC has no fixed expiry date. Existing products complying with old standards are not affected, while new products must adopt the latest version.

For Canada IC SDoC Certification services, please contact Blueasia: 13534225140