Argentina ENACOM Issues Certification Agency Guidelines

ENACOM has published Operational Guidelines for Certification Bodies to support implementation of Argentina’s new telecom approval framework.

Under these new guidelines, recognized certification bodies must follow standardized procedures for conformity assessment activities. Additionally, the guidelines provide further clarity regarding certification requirements under the new framework.

Certification bodies, laboratories, manufacturers, and importers are advised to familiarize themselves with these new guidelines. This will enable them to prepare for the full implementation of the revised framework.

What Has Changed?

The Operational Guidelines for Telecommunications Equipment Certification Bodies establish standardized procedures that recognized certification bodies must follow. These guidelines are part of the conformity assessment process for telecommunications equipment to be registered and certified in Argentina.

These Operational Guidelines were published as part of the implementation of the updated Registro de Actividades y Materiales de Telecomunicaciones (RAMATEL) or Register of Telecommunications Activities and Materials framework, which was introduced pursuant to ENACOM Resolution No. 57/2026.

RAMATEL serves as Argentina’s regulatory system for the registration of telecommunications activities and telecommunications equipment. These new guidelines provide operational instructions to support conformity assessment and certification procedures.

The operational guidelines provide detailed instructions covering technical review activities, product classification, testing requirements, certification procedures, and market surveillance obligations. All of these requirements are intended to support implementation of the new regulatory framework.

Key Requirements for Certification Bodies

Before a telecommunications product can obtain certification and be registered with Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM) or the National Communications Entity, the Certification Body must follow a structured assessment workflow. The following is the sequence of requirements based on these Operational Guidelines:

Technical Review of Product Documentation

First, a recognized Certification Body must evaluate the technical documentation submitted by the applicant. At this stage, characteristics such as operating frequency, transmission power, modulation methods, technologies used, and other relevant product specifications are identified. From this, the applicable regulatory requirements for the equipment are determined.

Product Classification and Identification of Radio Interfaces

Telecommunications equipment must be classified by the Certification Body in accordance with the ENACOM regulatory framework. The Certification Body must also identify all radio interfaces integrated into the product and determine the applicable classification.

The product will be categorized as Class A or Class B equipment. Class A is for general public use, and Class B is for professional applications.

Applicable Standards and Testing Laboratories

Once the product has been classified, the Certification Body must determine the applicable ENACOM technical requirements for the equipment. From there, the body identifies the appropriate testing framework and provides a list of recognized testing laboratories to evaluate the product.

Evaluation of Test Reports and Issuance of Certificates

Once testing is complete, the Certification Body is required to evaluate the test reports along with all supporting technical documentation. This is the stage where the device’s compliance with applicable regulations is verified.

The Certification Body may issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) once all applicable requirements have been met. Subsequently, the CoC is used to support the registration and homologation processes. The body must also implement nonconformity procedures if compliance issues are identified.

Market Surveillance Activities

These Operational Guidelines also cover market surveillance responsibilities. This is part of a broader conformity assessment framework.

Market surveillance is conducted to support ongoing compliance monitoring after a product has been certified and placed on the market. Class A products are covered by these surveillance requirements.

Impact on Manufacturers and Importers

Essentially, these Operational Guidelines are intended solely for Certification Bodies. However, manufacturers and importers also need to understand these new procedures.

Manufacturers planning to introduce new products to the Argentine market must ensure that product documentation, test reports, and proof of compliance are complete and in order before applying for certification. This evaluation process is more structured and places greater emphasis on technical documentation.

Early preparation by manufacturers and importers can help reduce delays during the conformity assessment and certification process. As a result, the approval process under the new framework can also proceed smoothly.

With these Operational Guidelines, certification bodies are expected to improve consistency through a uniform evaluation methodology. This can help reduce discrepancies in the interpretation of technical requirements and provide a more transparent certification process.

Implementation Schedule

The Operational Guidelines for Telecommunications Equipment Certification Bodies support the implementation of the regulatory framework introduced by ENACOM Resolution No. 57/2026. ENACOM has confirmed that the updated framework will take full effect on December 1, 2026.

The implementation date is established under Resolution No. 843/2026. Applications under the previous framework may still be processed before that date.

The date for the full implementation of the new regulatory framework is fast approaching. All stakeholders—certification bodies, laboratories, manufacturers, and importers—are advised to make the most of the remaining transition period.

Before the effective date, manufacturers and importers can use this time to review their internal certification procedures and prepare for the new operational requirements.

Ultimately, standardized procedures for Certification Bodies are intended to enhance consistency and transparency throughout the telecommunications equipment certification process. The Operational Guidelines also provide greater clarity regarding conformity assessment activities under the new regulatory framework.