The WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) ETA (Equipment Type Approval) certification in India is required for wireless products that use radio frequencies, such as Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, and mobile phones. The certification process is administered by the WPC, which is a department under the Ministry of Communications in India.
To obtain WPC ETA certification in India, manufacturers must submit their products for testing and evaluation by an authorized testing agency. The testing process typically involves verifying that the product complies with relevant technical standards and regulations, including those related to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radio frequency (RF) emissions.
Once the testing is complete and the product is found to be compliant, the manufacturer can apply for WPC ETA certification. The certification is mandatory for wireless products sold in India, and failure to obtain certification can result in penalties or even the seizure of products by Indian authorities.
Overview of WPC & SACFA
Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC)
WPC is a department responsible for managing frequency spectrum and involved in issuing licenses for wireless users in India. Headquartered in New Delhi, the WPC is the national authority for radio regulation and provides users with up to date information on wireless devices.Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA)
As a subdivision of the WPC, the SACFA makes recommendations on major frequency allocation issues, frequency allocation plans, and various International Telecom Union issues. It is responsible for resolving wireless-related user issues reported by other subdivisions such as the Licensing and Regulation section and the New Technology Group.
License Exempt Bands
License exempt frequency bands are those that can be used by certain applications without the need for prior authorization or an individual right of use.
|
Frequency Ranges |
Applications |
|
9-50 KHz 50-59.750 KHz 50.750-60.250 KHz 60.250-70 KHz 70-119 KHz 119-135 KHz 135-140 KHz 140-148.5 KHz 148.5-200 KHz |
Very low power devices |
|
1.302 - 435 kHz 2.855 - 1050 KHz 3.189 - 2.3 MHz |
Very low power RF devices, indoor only |
|
456.9 - 457.1 KHz |
Non-specific short range device |
|
6.6765 - 6.795 MHz |
Inductive devices |
|
13.553 - 13.567 MHz |
No license required (low power PF devices) |
|
26.957 MHz-27.283 MHz |
Low power wireless equipment (max. effective radiated power of 5W) |
|
26990 - 27000 KHz > 27040 - 27050 KHz > 27090 - 27100 KHz > 27140 - 27150 KHz > |
Non-specific short range device |
|
30 - 37.5 MHz |
Active medical implant |
|
36 - 38 MHz |
Wireless microphones |
|
87.5 - 108 MHz |
Continuous transmission device |
|
169.4 - 169.475 MHz 169.4875 - 169.5875 MHz 169.4 - 160.4875 MHz 169.4875 - 169.5875 MHz 169.5875 - 169.8125 MHz |
Assistive listening device |
|
335.7125 MHz 335.7375 MHz 335.7625 MHz 335.7875 MHz 335.8125 MHz 335.8375 MHz |
Low power wireless equipment for the remote control of cranes |
|
402-405 MHz |
Medical RF wireless devices (max. radiated power of 25 microwatt) with channel emission bandwidth within 300 kHz |
|
405 - 406 MHz |
Active medical implant |
|
433 - 434.79 MHz |
Low power RF devices |
|
446 - 446.2 MHz |
Personal mobile radio |
|
865-867 MHz |
• Low power wireless device (max transmitter power of 1W-4W effective radiated power) with 200 kHz carrier bandwidth • Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) (MTP of 1W-4W ERP) with 200 kHz carrier bandwidth |
|
2.4 - 2.4835 GHz |
Low power wireless equipment (e.g. Wi-Fi) (max. transmitter output power of 1W-4W ERP) with spectrum spread of 10 MHz or higher |
|
5150 MHz-5350 MHz |
Low power equipment for wireless access systems (max. mean effective isotropic radiated power of 200 mW and max. mean effective isotropic radiated power density of 10 mW/M Hz in any 1 MHz bandwidth) indoor only |
|
5725 MHz-5825 MHz |
Low power equipment for wireless access systems (MMELRP of 200 mW and MM EIRP density of 10 mW/MHz in any 1 MHz bandwidth) indoor only |
|
5825 MHz- 5875 MHz |
Low power equipment (MTOP of 1W-4W ERPower) with spectrum spread of 10 MHz or higher |
|
24.05 - 24.075 GHz 24.075 - 24.15 GHz 24.15 - 24.25 GHz
|
Transport and telematics devices: for ground-based vehicles only |
|
24.25 - 24.495 GHz |
Transport and telematics devices: For ground-based vehicles only. Duty cycle & modulation as per EN 302 858-1 Ver1.3.1 |
The WPC certification process
Of all Indian market-related certifications, the WPC certification process is one of the simplest to navigate. Most applicants can expect to complete the process within a span of approximately 8 weeks.
Steps of the WPC certification application process are as follows:
- Register on WPC portal through the online application process
- Select a test lab and generate the required test request
- Submit the sample to the lab
- Receive notification from the lab after testing along with test report number
- Login using existing credentials and choose the test request reference number to upload the test reports.
- Online submission of all the documents and other details(NOC from the manufacturer of the device to RLO – WPC stating that the person is entitled to sell these items in India) & payment of fee.
- WPC processes the application for approval
Mandatory Documents Required
- Self DoC application
- Test reports from an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
- Local representative (LR) details
- Consignment details
- Other technical details
What products are eligible for ETA through self-declaration?
ETA through self-declaration is applicable to the products that fulfill both of the
following conditions:
- Exemption from the import licensing requirement as per Import Policy of DGFT and;
- Working in de-licensed frequency bands (according to applicable Gazette Notifications from the Ministry of Communications)
Examples:
- Mobile handsets
- Smartphones
- Electronic notepads
- Laptops
- Smart watches
- SRDs including accessories
- Microphones
- Headphones
- Speakers
- Earphones
- Printers
- Scanners
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- TV
- Camera
What RF test report is required to obtain ETA?
RF test reports in accordance with ETSI and FCC standards are issued by accredited laboratories and are required for issuance of ETA. For cases where the imported product contains multiple RF modules, test report(s) of all RF modules without any alteration are to be uploaded.
How can products covered under the Self-Declaration category be imported to India?
Such items may be imported by submitting a copy of the existing ETA along with a signed undertaking clearly stating that:
i. The product contains RF module(s) operating in unlicensed frequency bands
only and;
ii. The product is exempted from import license requirement as per import policy of DGFT
Is ETA required for every product manufactured in India?
Products operating in any licensed exempt band must have ETA. In cases where products have been manufactured in India and RF module(s) having ETA is/are fitted without modification, no separate ETA will be required for the finished product. However, products manufactured outside India require ETA before being imported.
Equipment Type Approval (ETA)
According to WPC regulations, all wireless products working in delicensed frequency bands must obtain ETA from WPC. ETA Application may be filed by Indian manufacturers themselves or by an Authorized Indian Representative in case of a foreign manufacturer.
ETA is issued on a per model basis. Approvals for equipment that operates in the delicensed frequency bands and are exempted from import license requirements in India can be obtained under ETA (Self-Declaration) scheme online via the Saral Sanchar portal.
What is the validity period of an ETA certification?
There is no period restriction for ETA. No further renewal of ETA is required except in situations stated above.