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- WPC Certification Complete Guide is compulsory in India on all wireless or radio frequency products, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and IoT products. It is applicable to both imported and domestically manufactured products.
- Equipment Type Approval, or ETA, has been the leading WPC approval required by devices operating on license-exempt bands, including wireless headphones, smart plug devices, wireless routers, and wearables.
- Testing in India from a laboratory accredited by NABL is mandatory, and foreign test reports are not accepted from the WPC authority.
- The general certification process for a WPC takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks, depending on accurate information regarding the documents, frequency, and test reports.
- Lack of compliance might entail holding of shipment, fines, as well as business delays, which are important reasons why WPC planning ought to be done early.
Introduction | WPC Certification
The WPC Certification is a legal requirement in the Indian government’s regulations for devices using the wireless or radio frequency component. The certification is, therefore, issued by the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications. The main purpose of this certification is to ensure that all wireless devices function on authorized channels without interfering with the authorized communication services.The need to acquire the WPC certification is not a mere formality for manufacturers, importers, or brands. The certification is, in fact, a highly crucial necessity for customs clearance or entry into the market. This is because India restricts the import or export of all devices with either Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, or any other kinds of RF components without the WPC certification.
What is WPC Certification ?
WPC Certification is a compulsory certification and is also referred to as certification by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This certification allows the use of products containing wireless/Radio Frequency techniques in India. This requires that these types of devices operate on approved frequency bands and do not cause interference to telecommunication/defense/airborne communication systems and services.In most electronics products, this certification is in relation to Equipment Type Approval (ETA). This applies to devices operating on frequency bands that do not require licenses and includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products. Also, without this WPC Certification Complete Guide for electronics products importing and selling these products can be banned at the borders and also charged a fee in India.
Key Points:
- Mandatory for Wireless Device: A MUST for products employing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, RF, and similar communication technologies.
- Issued by government authority: Issued by the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications in India.
- ETA is the most common approval: Equipment Type Approval is used in license-exempt frequency band devices.
- RF testing is mandatory: RF testing has to be conducted on products at a NABL-approved lab in India before use.
- Customs clearance requirements: Lack of approved WPC clearance might lead to detention, forfeiture, or failure to ship.
Why is WPC Certification Mandatory?
The WPC Certification is essential because it helps regulate and govern the use of wireless or radio frequency devices in India. It enables the government to ensure that all devices operating in radio waves only use accredited frequency channels. This is significant because it ensures that there is no kind of interference with essential communication services such as telecoms communication, defense communication, aviation communication, and emergency communication. The increasing use of wireless technology such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IoT, or smart devices means that an organized means for the government to control the use of the spectrum is crucial.
Key Points:
- Signal interference prevention: This prevents wireless devices from causing interference to licensed networks such as telecom, defence, and aviation communications.
- Radio spectrum usage: The use of radio is regulated to confirm that products operate only within the frequency bands permitted by the Government of India.
- Compulsory for market access: Import, manufacturing, selling, and distributing wireless products in India cannot be done without it.
- Supports customs clearance: It ensures WPC approval to facilitate wireless shipments that can enter the country.
- Promotes orderly wireless growth: Assists in managing the growth of ever-increasing wireless and IoT devices without spectrum misuse.
Importance and Benefits of WPC Certification
| Importance | Benefits |
| Ensures compliance with the Indian Radio Frequency regulations. | Legal permission for importing, manufacturing, and distributing wireless communication devices in India. |
| It prevents interference in telecommunication, defense, and aviation systems. | Prevents detention of a shipment or fines incurred for matters related to customs. |
| Required for all RF and wireless devices. | Helps build trust and credibility between customers and business partners. |
| Facilitates the government’s administration of spectrum resource utilization. | Easy market launch, rapid time-to-market, for wireless products. |
| It provides an official record of the technical conformity of the product. | Reduces the potential for product recalls or legal issues. |
Step-by-Step Process of WPC Certification
Step 1: Documentation
- Gather all necessary technical information that includes product specifications, RF module information, and schematics.
- The RF module will be accompanied by documentation noting the following information about the products:
- The productCollect data on company registration, GST, and manufacturing/import.
- See that documents are as per WPC norms and Indian R.F. rules.
Step 2: RF Testing
- Send product samples to a NABL accredited RF testing lab in India.
- Perform tests for frequency range, power output, modulation, and other compliance parameters.
- Receive detailed test reports for compliance with RF.
- Ensure the product satisfies all WPC specification requirements, including technical specifications.
Step 3: Application Submission
- The application for the WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is done through the Saral Sanchar portal.
- Upload necessary technical papers and RF test reports, and product photos.
- Provide a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for the product.
- Payment of application and processing fees.
Step 4: Scrutiny and Inspection
- The authority is responsible for examining all received documents and test reports.
- Verification: Requests for Clifications or Additional Documentation:
- Any discrepancies that arise will need to be clarified in order to proceed with the process of certification.
Step 5: Grant of Certification
- WPC provides the ETA Certificate for the products.
- The product is now legal to import, manufacture, or sell in India.
- Records of certificates and maintaining compliance for the purpose of audit and/or customs inspection.
Documents Required for WPC Certification
| Category | Documents Required |
| Product Information | The product datasheet, technical specification, RF module information, model number, frequency band, and purpose. |
| Risk Assessment | Evaluation of risks caused by interference, the limits of the output power, the suitability of the equipment regarding the frequency regulations in India. |
| Conformity Evidence | Reports of RF test from NABL-accredited laboratory, Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and past records of international compliance, if any. |
| Company & Manufacturing Records | The PAN & GST certificate, the manufacturer or importer license, and authorization letters (if applying as an agent/distributor). |
| Standards & Procedures | WPC guidelines, Indian RF frequency standards, & procedures to ensure compliance with products. |
Timelines, Costs, Validity & Renewal
- Timelines: 8 to 12 weeks for the regular products, and 16 to 20 weeks for complex devices.
- Costs: Price depends on products and testing difficulty, and there may be added inspections.
- Validity: 3 to 5 years, assuming unaltered design and manufacturing.
- Renewal: It is required in situations like a change in the product design, RF module, or specifications change.
Why Choose Diligence Certifications
- Experience for the task: Our experts have extensive experience in certification work for WPC, for various types of wireless products, including Bluetooth devices,IoT sensors, and more. We will make sure that your documentation and test reports are WPC compliant right from the beginning.
- End-to-End Services: We assist in every phase, from documentation to testing and then submission to the portal, as well as ensuring that certificates are issued without any delays.
- Faster Approvals: Through our optimized process and understanding of WPC protocols, most clients receive their ETA certificates in record time and avoid custom or market entry delays whatsoever.
- Compliance Assurance: We offer professional reviews to ensure that product specification, frequency of usage, and manufacturing specification are in full compliance with Indian regulations.
- Trust Rebuilt By Businesses: Diligence Certifications, a name that has assisted many companies in saving on expenses, avoiding penalties, and successfully entering the market with their wireless devices.
Conclusion
Acquiring WPC Certification Complete Guide ( WPC Certification ) is not only an obligation but also an essential requirement to ensure that your wireless devices or RF devices are authorized, secure, and ready to enter the Indian market. Whether it’s identifying frequency band details and documentation, RF Testing, and finally submitting an application through the Saral Sanchar portal, Diligence Certifications will walk you through all these steps carefully to ensure hassles and additional expenditure don’t get in your way.To address this concern, it’s always important to seek professional input from Diligence Certifications to get your products certified efficiently, and, in fact, save valuable costs and time. No matter which organization, manufacturer, and new start-up wants to introduce wireless devices to their potential audience in India, all can benefit from this guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is WPC Certification and who grants it in India?
The WPC Certification is a compulsory approval requirement for wireless or RF-enabled devices, granted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India.
What products require WPC Approval?
Devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RF modules, IoT sensors, and wireless remotes need WPC certification.
What is ETA in WPC Certification?
ETA (Equipment Type Approval) is the most prevalent WPC approval for use in licenses/agreement-free bands.
Are imported wireless products required to obtain a WPC certification?
Yes, it is necessary that all wireless devices entering the Indian market are to be pre-certified by the WPC for clearance
How long is a WPC certification valid for?
Generally, standardized products require 8 to 12 weeks, and complex devices take 16 to 20 weeks.
Which documents are required to get a WPC certificate?
RF test reports, technical data sheets, user manual, company GST/PAN number, Declaration of Conformity, and product pictures.
Where should RF testing be conducted?
Only in an accredited laboratory of NABL in India. Foreign test reports are not accepted.
How long does WPC certification last?
Generally 3–5 years, so long as there are no changes in the design or specifications of the product.
Is there a renewal requirement for WPC Certification?
Yes, if the device design, RF module, or frequency may change, renewal will ensure ongoing compliance.
Can Certifications of Diligence assist in the WPC approval procedure ?
Yes, they support the whole process of documentation, testing, application, and follow-up.
