The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) on the 31st of March 2021 released Draft Equipment Authorisation Regulations replacing their current Type Approval regulations. A 2-step authorisation process is now required to obtain Equipment Authorisation.
It is proposed in this draft regulations that Conformity Assessment approach is now going to be based on three classifications of equipment:
- Classification 1 – Low Risk Equipment which are exempted from Equipment Authorisation. However, such equipment must conform with the mandatory technical standards in the Official List and must be registered with the ICASA.
- Classification 2 – Medium Risk Equipment
- Classification 3 – High Risk Equipment
Class 2 and 3 equipment shall be subjected to the applicable conformity assessment approach that involves the new 2-step process. With this process, a certificate of conformity will first be obtained with limited validity before Equipment Authorisation is granted. CoC’s issued under Classification 2 will be valid for 5 years and CoC’s issued under Classification 3 will be valid for 3 years.
Once CoC has been received, application for Equipment Authorisation is required to be submitted to the ICASA via the Authority’s portal, and after review a Type Approval Certificate will be issued.
The labelling requirements have also been changed where labels will be required to include equipment classification. A new minimum height of 3 mm is also required for the label.
Comments on this draft regulation can be submitted to the ICASA till the 30th of April 2021:
by Post to:
Mr. Lumkile Qabaka
Project Leader
350 Witch-Hazel Avenue
Eco Point Office Park
Eco Park, Centurion
Gauteng
or by email to: LQabaka@icasa.org.za
It is our understanding that previously Type Approved equipment by ICASA are not affected by this update.
The draft regulations are available via this link.
Comane Services can support you in obtaining Type Approval in South Africa.
Please contact Project Manager at Comane or on info@comaneng.com for further information or for any enquiries across Africa.
