What are the Label Requirements for India RF Certification?

To market Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products in India, one must undergo the Radio Frequency (RF) certification. These are the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Equipment Type Approval (ETA), and Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) certification processes.

What is often inquired about is the label requirements for India RF certification. As an importer, exporter, or manufacturer looking to market your products, it is essential to understand the sample requirements for the certification. This article provides information about the label requirements for India RF certification.

The Label Requirements for India RF Certification

Labeling is typically a requirement that applies after a product has obtained a certificate of conformity. The label requirements for India RF certification indicate that the TIP product has met local standards.

As we know, there are two types of certifications commonly applied to telecom and wireless products in India, namely: WPC ETA and TEC MTCTE certification. The two differ in terms of labeling requirements.

Label for WPC ETA

For WPC ETA certification, there is no labeling requirement. Once the certification process has been approved, businesses are only required to keep the certification documents. This is required as proof of compliance when it needs to be presented to customs or distributors.

However, manufacturers are permitted to display the logo or registration number in the user manual for additional information. This is optional as there is no specific labeling requirement. 

Label for TEC MTCTE

For TEC MTCTE certification, official labeling is mandatory. This requirement is stipulated in the Amendment of Clauses 17.2 in MTCTE Procedure V3.0 (TEC 93009:2024). Detailed labeling guidelines are provided in Appendix D. 

The TEC labelling requirements consists of:

i. TEC certification label on body of the equipment.

ii. Indication of equipment conforming to Essential Requirements in its technical document as shown in Figure D.2 below.

iii. ‘e-label’ of TEC Certification in case of Telecom / related ICT equipment with integrated displays in lieu of physical labelling also permitted.

Label requirements to be followed

Mandatory components that must be included on the label:

• OEM or brand name
• Model name or trade name
• Device serial number
• TEC logo
• MTCTE inscription
• MTCTE certificate number

Several things to understand about label requirements for India RF certification:

• The height of the TEC logo must be proportional to the size of the brand name on the device (¼ of the height of the brand name, minimum 6 mm).
• The size of the logo may be adjusted to fit limited space, but it must remain legible.
• It must be placed on a part of the device that is easily visible.
• For devices with removable covers, the label may be placed on the inside of the cover.
• The label must be indelible, durable, and easily visible when the device is used under normal conditions.
• The label material can be embossed, debossed, engraved, or printed. 
• The logo may be printed in color or black and white. For the color version, the official color composition (RGB=0,108,156) must be followed.

Terms of use for E-Labels

India allows the use of e-labels with several requirements that must be followed:

• Physical labels must still accompany the use of e-labels on product packaging.
• No additional accessories, such as SIM cards, are required to open them.
• The method for accessing e-labels must be explained in the user manual or instruction sheet.
• Compliance-related information must be included in the section containing device regulatory information. This can be in the form of a CD, online access, QR code, or memory device.
• The user cannot delete e-label information.

Conclusion

Label requirements for India RF certification must be applied. For WPC ETA has no labeling requirements. Meanwhile, TEC MTCTE must include a label consisting of the TEC logo and MTCTE, followed by the certificate number. 

The logo size must be 1/4 the size of the product brand name, with a minimum height of 6 mm. The use of e-labels is permitted, with several things to note.

To sell telecom and wireless products in India, distributors, importers, or brand representatives can contact Dimulti as a Product Compliance Specialist. We will be the solution to your product compliance issues, facilitating the process of obtaining RF certification. We will be the solution to your product compliance issues.