Colombia Market Access with Type Approval

Colombia Type Approval Summary

Colombia is a highly competitive telecommunications market. With an area of 1,141,748 km2 and a population of 52.1 million, the country is dominated by the mobile and broadband segments. One market research estimate puts the value of its mobile operator services at around USD 6.97 billion in 2026.

The development of communication technology in this “Gateway to South America” is also supported by 4G covering nearly the entire population, 5G rolling out across a growing number of municipalities, and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) expanding. This makes Colombia an attractive market, but products must first meet local regulatory requirements.

What you need to know to market and sell Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Colombian market is how to ensure product compliance there. This compliance requirement is known as “CRC certification.” CRC stands for Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones, which translates to “Communications Regulation Commission” in English.

This authority is an agency not attached to Colombia’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology. The CRC operates independently in regulating the telecommunications market in Colombia.

Its responsibilities include regulating networks and communication services, as well as overseeing the mandatory homologation of telecommunications and wireless terminal equipment in Colombia. For type approval, the CRC is involved in setting telecommunications standards, evaluating applications, and issuing product certifications.

Obtaining CRC type approval certification is a challenge that must be overcome to enter the Colombian market. In this regard, Narmadi Company is ready to assist you in navigating the complexities of the certification process in various countries around the world.

Certification Authority

Authority: Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC)
Certificate: CRC Certification
Certification: Mandatory
Official website: http://www.crcom.gov.co/Last accessed 9 October 2026

Who Can Be an Applicant?

Local representative: Required

Applicants for type approval certification in Colombia may be local manufacturers or importers. Foreign manufacturers may apply for CRC certification directly. However, if a foreign manufacturer already has a local partner or importer, it is recommended that they use that local partner as the applicant.

Application Method

In-country testing: No
Paperwork only: Yes

In Colombia, the type approval certification process does not require local testing. The CRC requires paperwork or document evaluation as the only acceptable method.

This simplifies the application process. Instead of preparing samples and shipping them, you only need to prepare the required documents. This means you must already have a test report from an overseas laboratory according to CE or FCC standards.

Local Testing

There is no mandatory local testing to apply for CRC certification.

Paperwork Only

Paperwork is the only way to apply for CRC certification. The authorities will only evaluate the completeness and correctness of the submitted documents.

Sample Requirements

Sample requirements are not a concern when applying for type approval certification in Cambodia. This is because there is no requirement to conduct local testing.

Applicants need only submit the documents required by the relevant authorities. The documents must be complete and accurate to ensure they are not rejected during the evaluation.

Document Requirements

What are the required documents in Colombia Type approval? Here’s the list:

Acceptable/valid FCC reports
If the device support cellular, it requires TAC letter
List of IMEI numbers of the products
User Guide in Spanish

Submission process

Submission: Online

All required documents (including the test report) must be completed before being submitted to the CRC. Complete and accurate documents can be submitted directly through the CRC’s online platform.

The CRC will evaluate and verify these documents. The certificate will be issued once the documents have been approved. Documents that are not approved must be corrected and resubmitted.

Lead Time of Certification

Lead time: 3-4 weeks

The lead time for type approval certification in Cambodia is relatively short. This is because the process simply involves reviewing existing test reports in accordance with CE or FCC standards.

If the documents are complete and accurate, this process can be completed within three to four weeks of submitting the application. Therefore, it is important to prepare accurate and complete documents from the outset to ensure that the lead time aligns with the established schedule.

Validity Period

Validity: Permanent

Colombia does not impose a time limit on type approval certificates that have already been issued. Manufacturers and importers may use them as long as the products are still being sold and marketed.

The certificates can no longer be used if modifications are made to the RF specifications. Such modifications require the product to be recertified to ensure that it still complies with the technical standards in effect in Cambodia.

Label Requirements

Product label: Depends on product
Approval mark: Depends on product
E-labeling: Allowed

Products that have been certified in Cambodia must be labeled. However, this requirement does not apply to all products.

Labeling is required only for certain products, such as cell phones, landline phones, global satellite systems, and other products that use cellular frequencies. These products must have a label affixed to the product itself or printed on the packaging.

CRC Label

Format of the label: CRC XX YY ZZZZ

CRC refers to the type approval authority in Colombia
XX refers to the type of approved terminal
YY refers to the year of registration
ZZZZ refers to the consecutive registration number

More on Labeling

In addition to being affixed directly to the product or packaging, the CRC also permits the use of e-labeling or digital labels.

Alternative Country Names

Republic of Colombia, República de Colombia, Kolumbien, Colombie, Kolumbija, Колумбия, コロンビア, 콜롬비아, CO

Talk to our project handler

Send your product details and we reply with the CRC requirements, lead time and cost.

Request a quote

Colombia