WPC Certification

In a time where wireless items are being flaunted, they should withstand good quality. Bluetooth products should maintain high-quality standards, thus ensuring safety, avoiding possible hazards, and creating customer satisfaction while promoting brand confidence. Furthermore, compliance with quality and regulatory standards can be a good doorway to sustainable market growth and success in the long run. In addition, India’s government has introduced WPC certification to ensure conformity and reliability in wireless products. Let us discuss it in detail.

What is WPC Certification in India?

WPC Approval in India is the mandatory approval that the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications gives for importing, selling, or using wireless products like Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi routers, and drones. Such products must obey India’s frequency and power regulations with zero interference from licensed communications. For these purposes, RF test reports and other manufacturer technical documents will have to go for approval in India. In a WPC-licensed product, its quality and safety are ensured, so the same follows the law that ensures successful, reliable wireless communication in this nation.

Types of WPC Approval

WPC Certification can be divided into three types; they are:


1. Non-Network Licence:

A. Import Licence
B. Dealer Possession Licence
C. Non-dealer Possession Licence

 

2. Network Licence:

A. Internet Service Provider Licence (ISP)
B. Experimental Licence

 

3. Equipment Type Approval (ETA)

A descriptive explanation of types of wireless planning and coordination approval is given below:
1. Non-Network Licence: These are wireless devices that work independently and do not get connected to public or private communication networks. This guarantees the safe usage of standalone devices used for communication.


a. Import License: to import wireless communication devices into India with an assurance that such devices comply with Indian standards. It avoids illegal equipment entry into the market.
b. Dealer Possession License: enables dealers to possess, sell, or distribute wireless products. It regulates the wireless equipment in the retail market properly.
c. Non-dealer Possession License: For individuals or organizations to lawfully possess wireless devices without dealing or distribution rights. It is required for personal or organizational use of such devices.


2. Network License: This refers to wireless devices forming a greater public or private network of communication, which includes cellular or satellite systems. It is meant to provide uninterrupted and lawful operation of the communication infrastructure network.


a. ISP License: Internet Service Providers A license issued to those service providers offering internet services by use of wireless technology that involves broadband or Wi-Fi. Through the license, ISPs have lawful operations in defined frequency bands.
b. Experimental License: This license is issued for researching and developing or testing new wireless technologies. This develops innovation while maintaining compliance with regulatory norms.


3. Equipment Type Approval (ETA): Devices using delicensed frequency bands, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee, require Equipment Type Approval, which is implemented by the Ministry of Communications’ WPC Wing. These bands are controlled for appropriate usage even if they are unlicensed. In order for the equipment to operate effectively and without interference in certain specific bands, WPC ETA certifies that it complies with Indian technical standards. For such wireless gadgets to be used lawfully in India, this authorization is essential.


The WPC ETA certificate makes sure that equipment using de-licensed frequency channels doesn’t interfere with those used for critical functions such as public safety and telecommunication. This indicates that by putting technical standards into practice, the WPC maintains India’s wireless communication infrastructure within acceptable bounds. As a result, this policy protects vital communication networks from possible disruptions caused by unregulated devices while permitting the coexistence of various wireless technologies.

 

It brings in trust among the devices that are used across industries and also among the consumers through WPC for the equipment as it ensures that it complies with the very high standards of quality and safety requirements in the Indian market. Innovation and growth in the sector of wireless technology will also be supported, and an interference-free, robust communication ecosystem will be created to support the country’s digital transformation. Some examples are smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, electronic notepads, mobile phones, SRDs, printers, scanners, keyboards, TVs, cameras, and accessories like microphones, headphones, speakers, and earbuds.

WPC ETA Approval Requirements

The basic need for attaining a WPC ETA license is as follows:

  • For foreign manufacturers, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be appointed by any foreign manufacturer without a liaison office or branch office in India.
  • The manufacturer will become the AIR if they have a branch office or liaison office in India.
  • The AIR designated by the foreign manufacturer for the import license must match the AIR designated in the WPC’s ETA application.


For domestic manufacturers, the WPC import license and WPC ETA license can be applied for directly by the domestic manufacturer without the need to nominate AIR.

Mandatory Product List for WPC Certification

Document Requirement for WPC ETA Certification

The paperwork required for WPC ETA Certification is as follows:

For ETA Certificate:

Copy of Company Registration/GST Registration (For address Verification)
ID and address proof of an authorized person
Radio Frequency (RF) Test report from any ISO 17025 accredited Foreign lab or NABL-accredited Indian lab
Authorization letter (If the authorized person is other than the CEO)
Product technical details

For Import License:

  • ETA Certificate
  • Purchase order
  • IEC Certificate
  • Proforma Invoice

What is an RF (radio frequency) test report, and how to get it?

RF (Radio Frequency) testing is a method of checking the frequency of radio transmissions to ensure that they are efficiently using the spectrum. Efficiency means that radio waves in the airspace do not interfere with one another. Manufacturers/importers need to get the RF test report from the ILAC/NABL accredited lab for ETA approval to sell the product in India. If multiple RF modules are contained in the particular product, then the test report of all modules is to be uploaded to get ETA approval.

Frequency Spectrums Applicable for the WPC-ETA Certificate:

Frequency List for which WPC-ETA Certification is compulsory in India:

Technical characteristics of inductive applications using the following frequency spectrum are as follows:

Procedure for WPC-ETA Certification:

Here are a few steps to obtain a WPC-ETA certification:

1. Device Compliance Confirmation: Confirm whether the device is operating in unlicensed frequency bands.

2. Documentation Preparation: Technical documents in nature or could be any document from a test report to a device specification.

3. Application: Apply online using an application form submitted through the WPC website along with the required papers.

4. Fees Payment: Pay all applicable fees towards the certification process.

5. WPC Review: The application and all the documents by WPC are checked on whether they comply.

6. Issue of ETA Certificate: After the successful verification of the application, the ETA certificate is issued by the WPC.

The Timeline for WPC - ETA Certification

The normal time required for the approval of WPC for ETA is 10 to 12 working days. These will be after submitting relevant papers and initiating the process. The time may, however, exceed this period on a case-to-case basis.

What are the fees for a WPC license?

People usually need clarification about the fee structure for attaining the WPC certification. Worry not! To ease this confusion, kindly reach out to us for a customized quotation for a WPC license for wireless equipment.

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