International Approvals Updates – August 2026

The August 2026 International Approvals updates from American Certification Body highlight regulatory changes affecting product certification, wireless equipment, EMC compliance, RoHS requirements, labeling, importer licensing, spectrum access, and global market entry across Bangladesh, Australia, Ghana, Kenya, Brazil, Chile, China, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

This month’s update includes new licensing requirements for wireless equipment, revised EMC standards, 5G spectrum developments, Brazilian RoHS implementation, updated short-range device rules, China CCC resources, G-Mark requirements, and Saudi Arabia’s new SASO 3114:2026 ICT equipment standard.

View Full August 2026 International Approvals PDF

In This Issue

Bangladesh: BTRC Warns Against Unlicensed Walkie-Talkie Use

孟加拉：孟加拉电信监管委员会警告禁止使用无牌照对讲机

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a strict warning to individuals and organisations against using walkie-talkies or any wireless communication devices without formal approval, spectrum allocation, and a licence from the regulator.

In a press release issued on Thursday (25 June), the commission said joint drives by the BTRC and law enforcement agencies are ongoing against illegal telecommunication equipment and installations in Dhaka and across the country.

The commission said unlicensed walkie-talkies used by various organisations are being seized during these drives, and cases are being filed at local police stations.

According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act 2001 (Amendment 2026), spectrum allocation and a wireless equipment licence from the BTRC are mandatory for the use, possession, import, marketing, or operation of any walkie-talkie or wireless communication device.

Use of such devices without a licence constitutes a punishable offence under the law.

The commission urged business establishments, security service providers, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, individuals, and all commercial organisations not to use any wireless device or walkie-talkie without formal approval and a licence from the BTRC.

BTRC affirmed that its crackdown on illegal and unlicensed wireless equipment would continue, and strict legal action would be taken against any individual or organisation found in violation of the law.

The commission also called on all concerned to comply with relevant laws and regulations in the public interest and to ensure proper management of wireless communication.

Official Source: BTRC Warns Against Unlicensed Walkie-Talkie Use

Australia: ACMA Updated EMC Standard & Consultation Opened

澳大利亚：ACMA 更新 EMC 标准并开放咨询

1. AS/NZS CISPR 11:2024

AS/NZS CISPR 11:2024 was published on December 20, 2024. This standard replaced AS CISPR 11:2017 AMD 1:2020 as the applicable industry standard for ISM radio-frequency equipment under the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Standard 2017.

Transition details: Until December 20, 2026, suppliers may demonstrate compliance against either AS CISPR 11:2017 AMD 1:2020 or AS/NZS CISPR 11:2024. Beginning December 20, 2026, compliance with the applicable EMC requirements must be demonstrated against AS/NZS CISPR 11:2024.

Please refer to the NIST Designation Requirements for Australia for further information on the designation of EMC standards to ACMA.

2. Consultation Opened — Comments Due September 17, 2026

ACMA is proposing changes to Australia’s regulatory arrangements for telecommunications customer equipment and customer cabling supplied in Australia. The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the regulatory framework, including requirements supporting reliable access to emergency calls from mobile phones.

The proposed amendments address the following areas:

Compliance record-keeping requirements — extending the timeframe that suppliers must retain compliance records from 2 to 7 years.
Mobile equipment requirements — limiting existing grandfathering arrangements and introducing a transition period for compliance with updated requirements for emergency call access.
Customer equipment safety requirements — adopting a revised safety standard and recognizing compliance with overlapping requirements under other safety frameworks, including aviation and electrical safety frameworks.

Official Source: Australian Communications and Media Authority

Ghana: Accelerates 5G Deployment via Market Liberalization and New Spectrum Licensing

加纳：通过市场自由化和新的频谱许可加速 5G 部署

On July 21, 2026, Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) rolled out key policies to boost domestic 5G development. The authority revised the licence of Next Gen InfraCo Limited, terminating its exclusive franchise for national 5G wholesale infrastructure operation.

This move aims to break market monopoly, stimulate industrial investment and improve public access to advanced communication services. Meanwhile, the NCA officially opened spectrum licence applications for 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands applicable to 5G and mobile broadband services.

Qualified incumbent operators and new market entrants can apply per official requirements. The dual measures are core to Ghana’s 5G strategy, fostering market competition and accelerating the nationwide upgrade of next-generation digital connectivity.

Official Source: NCA Amends Wholesale 5G Licence of NGIC in the Public Interest

Kenya: Mandates New CED Licence for All Communications Equipment Importers & Distributors

肯尼亚：强制推行 CED 经销商牌照，全面革新通信设备准入核准体系

On 21 July 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) rolled out a compulsory Communications Equipment Distributor (CED) Licence regime under the revised national telecommunications rules gazetted in March 2026.

All enterprises importing and wholesaling communication and wireless goods must obtain the CED Licence prior to applying for CA type approval and completing customs clearance via TradeNet.

Existing holders of TEC and Vendor Licences are required to apply for the new permit immediately to continue relevant businesses. The policy overhaul tightens market supervision over imported telecom devices and aligns import and distribution activities with the updated telecom market framework.

Exporters supplying Kenya are advised to check licensing obligations timely to avoid customs delays.

Official Source: CA Mandatory Licence for Communications Equipment Importers in Kenya

Brazil: CONAMA Resolution 516/2026 — Brazilian RoHS Officially Enters into Force

巴西：CONAMA 第 516 号决议 — 巴西版 RoHS 正式生效

Brazil’s National Environment Council (CONAMA) published Resolution No. 516/2026 on July 8, 2026, officially launching the Brazilian RoHS Act for electrical and electronic equipment.

Key points:

Covers ten categories of EEE products including IT/telecom equipment, consumer electronics, lighting, tools, medical devices and photovoltaic panels.
Restricts six hazardous substances: Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr VI, PBBs and PBDEs, with limits aligned with EU RoHS 2.0.
Phased implementation: new products must comply from January 1, 2027; existing inventory is sellable until July 1, 2027; medical devices transition to January 1, 2029.
Two compliance pathways: third-party certification or self-declaration, with all documents submitted to the national electronic registry.

Official Source: CONAMA Resolution No. 516/2026

Chile: SUBTEL Resolución 966 EXENTA — Updated Short Range Device Standard

智利：SUBTEL 第 966 号豁免决议 — 短距离无线设备技术标准更新

Chile’s Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (SUBTEL) issued Resolución 966 EXENTA, signed May 20 and officially published on May 27, 2026, amending the 2017 SRD technical regulation.

Key updates:

Adds a 9–315 kHz ultra-low power active implantable medical device category with fixed field strength limits.
Loosens QR code label size rules and allows digital labels on display-equipped products.
Enables email or virtual-platform submission of confidential test reports.
Abolishes the mandatory square QR layout; manufacturers can freely design codes.

Official Source: Resolución 966 EXENTA

China: CCC System Officially Released — Closing a Long-Standing Gap

中国：强制性产品认证制度英文版正式发布，填补长期空白

On June 9, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA) released the first-ever English edition of China’s Compulsory Product Certification (CCC) system.

This milestone addresses the long-standing lack of an authoritative, comprehensive foreign-language reference for CCC requirements, providing overseas manufacturers, importers, and regulators with direct, reliable access to China’s market access rules.

The move is expected to significantly reduce misinterpretation risks, streamline cross-border compliance efforts, and lay a stronger foundation for mutual recognition agreements between China and its trading partners.

Official Source: State Administration for Market Regulation

Bahrain: G-Mark Certification Mandatory for 13 Categories of Low-Voltage Electrical Equipment Effective 1 July 2026

巴林：7 月 1 日起 13 类低压电器强制实施 G-Mark 认证

Starting July 1, 2026, stricter regulations are in place in Bahrain to ensure that electronic equipment and appliances sold in the market are safe to use.

Thirteen low voltage electrical equipment and appliances are currently included in the regulations drawn up by GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO), covering fans, refrigerators, clothes dryers, blenders, toasters, hair dryers, heaters, microwave ovens, water heaters, ironing devices, electrical sockets, and air conditioners.

The appliances and equipment imported or locally manufactured are required to obtain a G-Mark certification and bear the G-Mark label. Manufacturers and importers must prove before placing electrical equipment on the market that the equipment has been manufactured in accordance with good engineering practice.

For air conditioning products, two separate programmes apply — one for safety and the other for energy efficiency.

Official Source: G-Mark Certification Requirements in Bahrain

Saudi Arabia: SASO Issues New ICT Equipment Standard SASO 3114:2026, Mandatory from 1 November 2026

沙特阿拉伯：SASO 发布 ICT 设备新标准 SASO 3114:2026，2026 年 11 月 1 日起强制执行

On 19 May 2026, Saudi Arabia updated the SASO CITC GEN-002 standard to SASO 3114:2026 — Requirements for Specific ICT Equipment.

The new standard covers mobile phones, tablets and mobile computers, routers and customer premises equipment (CPE), other cellular devices, optical network terminals (ONT) and home access gateways (HAG), and Wi-Fi distribution equipment.

Key technical requirements:

Smartphones must support Advanced Mobile Location (AML) and be tested to ETSI TR 103 393.
Mobile phones must support Cell Broadcast Service (CBS).
Other cellular devices must support LTE/LTE-M/NB-IoT with B3, B8, B20 and B28 bands.
Wi-Fi distribution equipment must support Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be).

A grace period applies until October 31, 2026. From November 1, 2026, all Certificates of Conformity must comply with SASO 3114:2026. Certificates issued under the old standard SASO CITC GEN-002 will no longer be valid after March 31, 2027.

Official Source: Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization

Disclaimer

The information provided in this International Approvals Update is intended for general informational purposes only and is believed to be accurate as of the publication date. Regulatory requirements, technical standards, certification procedures, and market access requirements may change without notice. Readers should consult the applicable regulatory authority or official publications to verify current requirements before making product design, testing, certification, or market access decisions. American Certification Body, Inc. (ACB) assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information contained in this publication.

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