Samoa Type Approval Summary
Samoa has become one of the more dynamic telecommunications markets in the South Pacific. The telecommunications market began with the entry of Digicel Samoa in 2006.
Samoa’s telecommunications market also faces significant challenges due to limited undersea cable connectivity and its archipelagic nature. Geographically and in terms of infrastructure, Samoa relies heavily on undersea cables. Key concerns include network resilience and the high cost of bandwidth.
On the other hand, according to DataReportal, the mobile subscription penetration rate in Samoa is very high. This figure reaches 96.5% of the total population of 215,000 (approximately 212,000 active subscriptions).
Despite these challenges, the growth in mobile subscription penetration makes the telecommunications market in Samoa an attractive one to explore. A first step to take before marketing telecommunications devices there is to understand the applicable compliance requirements.
This requirement is known as “OOTR Type Approval.” OOTR stands for Office of the Regulator, which is Samoa’s regulatory body for the telecommunications, broadcasting, postal, and electricity sectors.
This authority was established in 2006 under the Telecommunications Act of 2005. The purpose of establishing the OOTR is to provide regulatory services for the telecommunications sector in Samoa.
Within the scope of type approval certification, OOTR is responsible for establishing regulations and technical standards, evaluating devices compliance, and issuing certifications as proof of compliance.
OOTR type approval is non-negotiable. Understanding the process from the outset will make things easier for manufacturers and importers who wish to market their telecommunications devices in Samoa.
Who Can Be an Applicant?
- Local representative
- Required
Applications for type approval in Samoa must be submitted through the equipment manufacturer or a local supplier/retailer. Foreign companies cannot submit applications directly. To market their telecommunications devices, they must partner with a local company to serve as their local representative.
The local representative will act as the applicant for the certificate and handle the entire process from start to finish. The local company will bear full responsibility for the devices from foreign manufacturers that they submit for approval.
Application Method
- In-country testing
- No
- Paperwork only
- Yes
Applications for type approval certification in Samoa may be submitted through local testing or document evaluation. OOTR does not require local testing for certification applications.
Devices to be distributed in Samoa must meet technical requirements in accordance with EU and/or FCC procedures, as also specified by OOTR.
Applicable regulations stipulate that the use of certain telecommunications equipment must comply with the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Recommendation (ITU-R.Rec), and the Telecommunication Recommendation (ITU-T.Rec).
Applicants may use an EU- or FCC-accredited testing laboratory to conduct testing. The test report is then used for the application (along with other documents). Applications are submitted directly to the OOTR office in Apia or via email.
In addition, the OOTR also recognizes certificates issued by Recognized Certification Bodies as a requirement for marketing devices in Samoa without undergoing type approval.
Recognition of Type Approvals
Applicants may also use the recognition pathway. This pathway allows equipment that has been standardized by a Recognized Certification Body to be distributed directly in Samoa without undergoing the Type Approval process.
The list of bodies recognized by OOTR is as follows:
- ACMA - Australia
- CNCA - China
- BSMI - Taiwan
- CE - EU
- OFCA - Hong Kong
- VCCI Council - Japan
- MCMC - Malaysia
- MBIE - New Zealand
- IMDA - Singapore
- KCC - Korea
- FCC - USA
Sample Requirements
All of the OOTR type approval certification process is paperwork or document evaluation. There is no mandatory local testing in Samoa. No sample requirement must be submitted by the applicant.
Document Requirements
Type approval
Application for type approval shall be made in writing. The application and accompanying documents must be in English. The application should be accompanied by:
- Application Form
- Technical documentation
- Technical evaluation process report
- Related user operation manual
- Test report from the accredited laboratory
- Declaration of Conformity certificate from the relevant Regulator Authority
Recognition of Type Approvals
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- The equipment vendor
- The current model number of the equipment
- Evidence of type approval from a recognized certification body
- Documentation of specifications for the proper installation and operation of the equipment
Submission process
- Submission
- Online and offline
When applying for OOTR type approval certification, the applicant can submit the document requirements online or offline. Submit all documents to:
- Offline: Via Private Bag to the OOTR Office in Apia, Samoa. Telephone: (685) 30282. Facsimile: (685) 30281
- Online: Via Email to spectech@regulator.gov.ws
Lead Time of Certification
- Lead time
- 30 days
The lead time for OOTR type approval certification is a maximum of 30 days. All times start from the date the application is received by the authority online or offline.
Validity Period
- Validity
- Permanent
OOTR makes it easy for every certificate holder to market their telecommunications products without any time restrictions. The certificate remains valid as long as there are no modifications to the RF specifications of the submitted device.
If the device is modified, a new certificate must be submitted. This is done to ensure that the modified device still meets the technical standards in effect in Samoa.
Label Requirements
- Product label
- Required
- Approval mark
- Required
- E-labeling
- Allowed
The trademark will be highlighted on packaging, warranty forms, instruction manual and leaflets, websites and equipment or devices.
OOTR Label
The trademark must be 3mm height.
More on Labeling
OOTR allows electronic labelling (e-labeling) as an alternative. E-labelling is recommended if the product has a built-in display.
Alternative Country Names
Independent State of Samoa, Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa, Самоа, サモア, 사모아, WS
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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