Qatar Type Approval Summary
Qatar is one of the most advanced and robust telecommunications markets globally, with the highest digital penetration. According to the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), 5G network coverage in Qatar stands at 98.9%. Furthermore, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) coverage has reached 100%.
With an area of approximately 11,571 km² and a population of about 3.2 million, Qatar is a highly promising market. There is no reason for manufacturers or importers not to market their telecommunications devices there.
Before marketing telecommunications devices in Qatar, it is essential to understand the applicable compliance requirements there. This requirement is known as the “CRA Type Approval Certificate.”
This is a product compliance requirement regulated by the CRA, an independent agency that oversees the telecommunications and information technology sectors, the postal sector, and access to digital media in Qatar. The CRA was established under Emir’s Decree No. 42 of 2014.
Within the scope of type approval, the CRA is responsible for setting technical standards, evaluating device compliance, issuing certificates, and overseeing the market. In fact, it has the authority to take action against illegal devices circulating in Qatar.
Understanding the CRA type approval certificate is key to entering this market, which has the highest digital penetration rate globally. This facilitates the smooth entry of telecommunications devices into the Qatari market.
Who Can Be an Applicant?
- Local representative
- Not required
Every entity can be an applicant for type approval in Qatar. They can be Local and international manufacturers, authorized importers, and licensed operators. Additionally, authorized representatives or agents of any of those parties may also request ICT type approval.
An international manufacturer is not required to have a presence in Qatar to apply for type approval. Local or international manufacturers can apply for type approval only for equipment that is manufactured by them.
Application Method
- In-country testing
- No
- Paperwork only
- Yes
The application method for type approval certification in Qatar is paperwork or document evaluation. Generally, ICT doesn't ask the applicant to do local testing. There are two processes that must be chosen by the applicant for ICT type approval, namely the Simplified Type Approval process and the Standard Type Approval process.
Simplified Type Approval Process
Follow the simplified type approval process if the equipment has already obtained suitable evidence from a National Regulatory Authority (NRA) or a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) recognised by ICT. Applicants need only submit a copy of the NRA or CAB certificate of compliance and pay the service fee.
ICT-recognized CABs are located in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and France. Meanwhile, ITC-recognized NRAs include all 27 EU member states, the TDRA of the UAE, the TRA of Bahrain, and the CST of Saudi Arabia.
Standard Type Approval Process
This is the general certification process. Applicants must ensure that their devices meet the technical standards established by ICT. ICT refers to international standards related to these technical requirements, including ANSI, ENELEC, CISPR, IEC, ITU, ETSI, and ATEX.
Equipment must be tested at an accredited testing laboratory designated by ICT. These testing laboratories are located in many countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, South Korea, and Japan.
The test report from that testing lab is attached as one of the documents required for the certification application. Then, all document requirements need to be submitted via the ICT online portal.
Local Testing
Generally, there is no mandatory local testing when applying for type approval in Qatar. However, in some cases under the Standard Type Approval process, ICT may ask the applicant to do local testing. If this happens, ICT reserves the right to require sample units of the equipment for testing at a laboratory assigned by ICT.
Sample Requirements
If ICT ask the applicant to do local testing, commonly they will need up to two sample units of the equipment, along with the appropriate test accessories, for testing.
Document Requirements
For Simplified Type Approval:
- A duly signed and dated Certificate of Compliance, certifying that the equipment complies with the appropriate standards
- Proof of payment for the prescribed Type Approval fee
For Standard Type Approval:
- A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) issued by the manufacturer
- Brief explanation describing how the equipment is intended to be used and any information related to the installation
- Identification of any communications networks and/or any radio interfaces
- Circuit diagrams, PCB layouts, parts lists and other design and construction information for those parts of the equipment
- Photographs or illustrations showing external features and internal layout
- Test reports issued by accredited Testing Laboratories recognized by ICT
Submission process
- Submission
- Online
The submission process for ICT type approval is online. All required documents must be submitted via the online portal at https://e-spectrum.cra.gov.qa/cra/. The document may be submitted to ICT in the form of a certified copy, soft copy in PDF format, or CD-ROM, provided that all documents are legible.
The documents must be in English. If documents are in another language, the applicant must provide a certified translation in English.
A successful outcome of the assessment of the application for type approval will not result in the issuing of a type approval certificate in the name of the applicant. However, that will be reflected in the recording of a corresponding entry of the equipment in the type approval register published on ICT's website. If needed, certificates will be available in a printable format on ICT's website.
Lead Time of Certification
- Lead time
- Simplified Type Approval: 5 days. Standard Type Approval: 15 days
Two process of application method for type approval in Qatar have two different lead time.
The lead time for the simplified type approval process is up to 5 working days. On the other hand, the standard type approval process takes up to 15 working days. The lead time starts from the date on which the complete application package has been submitted to ICT.
Validity Period
- Validity
- Permanent
Type approval for specific equipment is granted for an indefinite period, provided that no modifications are made to the approved equipment.
If any modifications are made that affect the information in the Type Approval List, Certificate of Conformity, or Declaration of Conformity, a new type approval application is required.
Permitted changes are those that are cosmetic in nature and do not alter the information recorded in the type approval list. This means that as long as the changes do not affect the network or radio frequency behavior.
Label Requirements
- Product label
- Required
- Approval mark
- Required
- E-labeling
- Not allowed
All certified products in Qatar must have a legible label permanently affixed to the outside of such equipment.
- Simplified Type Approval: The corresponding marking from the country or region where the original type approval was obtained.
- Standard Type Approval: The label approved by ICT where the equipment in question has been approved.
ICT Qatar Label
The following are the labeling requirements:
- The characters shall appear in black print against a white background.
- No character shall be less than 2mm in height.
- The letter “Q” of “ictQATAR” shall be at least 3mm in height.
- “nnnnnn” appears shall be substituted the registration number allocated by ICT to the equipment concerned.
- “xxxxxxxxx” appears shall be substituted the dealer registration number allocated by ICT to the Authorized Importer who made the application concerned.
- When the label is applied to the packaging of equipment, the minimum dimensions specified above shall be doubled.
The label may also be affixed on the packaging and/or in the user manual, but it is not mandatory in these places, unless for reasons of size or other design features the equipment itself cannot be marked.
In these cases the applicant must include the label in the user documentation accompanying the equipment before it is displayed or offered for sale.
Alternative Country Names
State of Qatar, Dawlat Qaṭar, Katar, Catar, Катар, カタール, 카타르, QA
Rules by Technology
Allowed, approval required
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz)
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth Classic
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- NFC
- RFID
- UWB
- Zigbee
- Thread
- Z-Wave
- DECT
- 2G/3G
- 4G LTE
- 5G NR
- NB-IoT
- LTE-M
- LoRa / LoRaWAN
- Sigfox
- Automotive radar (77 GHz)
- Short-range radar (24 / 60 GHz)
- GNSS (GPS)
- Satellite communication
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- PMR / Walkie-talkie
- Amateur radio
- Passive Optical Network (PON)
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
- Coaxial Cable
- ISDN
- Ethernet
- VoIP
- IPv6
- Power Line Carrier
- Microwave Link
- Free Space Optics
- Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
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