International Approvals Updates – May 2026
Global regulatory developments continue impacting certification, compliance, and market access requirements worldwide. This month’s International Approvals update highlights key regulatory changes affecting product approvals and market access across multiple regions.
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Featured Regulatory Highlights
• Argentina – New RAMATEL certification framework effective September 2026
• India – BIS expands mandatory certification requirements to 90+ appliance categories
• Hong Kong – Updated frequency allocation table aligned with WRC-23
• China – New mandatory power bank safety standard (GB 47372-2026)
• Saudi Arabia – USB Type-C enforcement enters final phase
In This Issue
- Brazil: New ANATEL requirements for radar and wireless audio devices are now in effect.
- Argentina: A new RAMATEL certification framework introduces updated approval processes and compliance requirements.
- Mongolia: Clarifications issued for ICT certification procedures under Resolution 24/2026.
- Saudi Arabia: Mandatory USB Type-C requirements enter final enforcement phases.
- Australia/New Zealand: Updated AS/NZS 61439.2 standard released with transition period.
- Eswatini: Strengthened enforcement of type approval for imported communications equipment.
- Kenya: USB Type-C requirements introduced for mobile devices with clarification on applicability.
- India: Mandatory BIS certification expanded to 90+ categories of electrical appliances effective October 2026.
- Malaysia: UWB operation in 3300–3400 MHz band has been discontinued.
- Hong Kong: Updated technical specifications and new frequency allocation table released.
- China: New mandatory safety standard for power banks (GB 47372-2026) published.
Brazil: Anatel Act No.14158/2025 Officially Effective on 06 April 2026
巴西：ANATEL 第 14158/2025 号法案于 2026 年 4 月 6 日正式生效
Subject: Brazil Anatel Updates Radar & Wireless Audio Technical Requirements | Act No.14158/2025
Date: 06 April 2026
Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) signed Act No.14158/2025 on October 1, 2025, which was officially published in the ANATEL Electronic Service Bulletin on October 12, 2025, and comes into full force on April 6, 2026. This regulatory act revises and supplements the existing wireless equipment technical specifications, optimizes management rules for radar devices, wireless microphones and broadband wireless audio products, and unifies partial testing standards with European norms.
Argentina: ENACOM Resolution 57/2026 | New RAMATEL Certification Regime
阿根廷：ENACOM 第 57/2026 号决议全新 RAMATEL 认证制度落地
Subject: Argentina ENACOM Releases New Telecom & Radio Equipment Certification Rules
Enacom has issued Resolution No.57/2026 to launch a brand-new RAMATEL certification framework, officially effective on 01 September 2026. The reform introduces local third-party certification bodies and OAA-recognized labs, cancels fixed certificate validity, and adopts family model approval to simplify multi-model application. Class A equipment will require a biennial (every 2 years) compliance audit.
Mongolia: Implementation of CRC Resolution No. 24/2026 and Clarification of ICT Equipment Certification Procedures
蒙古：CRC 第 24/2026 号决议实施及 ICT 设备认证流程明确
Subject: CRC Resolution No. 24/2026 – ICT and Radio Equipment Certification Framework
Following the official implementation of CRC Resolution No. 24/2026 on 13 February 2026, relevant stakeholders and certification bodies released detailed implementation clarifications in late March 2026, outlining the practical certification procedures for ICT and radio equipment in Mongolia.
These clarifications provide additional operational guidance on applicable certification schemes, certificate validity periods, and post-market compliance expectations, supporting consistent application of the new regulatory framework during certification review and market supervision activities.
Communications Regulatory Commission of Mongolia (CRC) Resolution No. 24/2026
https://legalinfo.mn/mn/detail?lawId=17435913766732
Saudi Arabia: Final Enforcement Phase for Mandatory USB Type-C Charging Interface Requirements
沙特阿拉伯：USB Type-C 统一充电接口要求进入最终执行阶段
Subject: SASO USB Type-C Mandate – Phased Enforcement Timeline Update via SABER
Saudi Arabia is entering a critical enforcement phase of its mandatory unified USB Type-C charging interface policy for electronic products, implemented through the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the SABER conformity assessment platform.
Based on the official SASO notice issued on 12 March 2026, the grace period for certain Phase-1 product categories was extended, with full enforcement taking effect from 1 May 2026. From that date onward, products within scope that do not comply with SASO IEC 62680-1-2:2023 and SASO IEC 62680-1-3:2023 will no longer be eligible for Product Certificates of Conformity (PCoC), and Shipment Certificates based on non-compliant certificates will be rejected.
In parallel, laptops and notebooks, classified as Phase-2 products, have been subject to mandatory USB Type-C compliance since 1 April 2026, requiring IEC 62680 series test reports during PCoC application via SABER.
Australia / New Zealand: AS/NZS 61439.2:2026 Officially Released, Replacing 2016 Edition and Aligning with IEC Standards
澳大利亚/新西兰：AS/NZS 61439.2:2026 正式发布，取代 2016 版并与 IEC 标准接轨
Subject: AS/NZS 61439.2:2026 – Low-voltage Power Switchgear and Controlgear Assemblies
Published: 13 February 2026
Issuing Bodies: Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand (Joint Technical Committee EL-006)
On 13 February 2026, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand jointly published AS/NZS 61439.2:2026, superseding the 2016 edition. The standard is a modified adoption of IEC 61439-2:2020 (Edition 3.0) with national variations for Australia and New Zealand, and specifies updated safety, construction, and testing requirements for low-voltage power switchgear and controlgear assemblies.
A 12-month transition period applies: AS/NZS 61439.2:2016 will remain current until 12 February 2027, after which the 2026 edition will fully supersede the previous version.
https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/asnzs-61439-22026
Eswatini: ESCCOM Strengthens Enforcement of Type Approval for Imported Communications Equipment
斯威士兰：ESCCOM 强化进口电子通信设备型式认证执法
Subject: General Notice No. 4/2026 – Control of the Importation, Type Approval and Distribution of Electronic Communications Equipment
On 2 April 2026, the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) issued General Notice No. 4/2026, announcing enhanced enforcement of mandatory Type Approval requirements for electronic communications equipment imported into or used within Eswatini. The enforcement measures will take effect on 13 April 2026.
Under the notice, all entities intending to import or operate electronic communications equipment must hold a valid ESCCOM Type Approval Certificate prior to importation or use. Compliance will be verified in cooperation with the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) through inspections at ports of entry, supported by the national customs clearance system, ASYCUDAWorld. The measure aims to strengthen communications security, improve service quality, and prevent the entry of non-compliant or counterfeit devices into the Eswatini market.
https://www.esccom.org.sz/publications/notices/docs/notice%204.pdf
Kenya: CA Mandates USB Type-C Charging Interface for New Mobile Cellular Devices
肯尼亚：CA 强制新型移动蜂窝设备采用 USB Type-C 接口
Subject: Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices, 2026
On 24 March 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) published the Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices, 2026, establishing new technical requirements applicable to the type approval of mobile cellular devices intended for sale and use in Kenya.
The specifications require that all newly submitted mobile cellular devices, including feature phones, smartphones, and tablets, use USB Type-C as the sole permitted charging interface, and that charging cables be detachable from power adapters. These requirements apply to devices seeking type approval on or after the publication date.
Kenya: CA Clarifies USB Type-C Requirement Applies Only to New Type Approval Applications
肯尼亚：CA 澄清 USB Type-C 要求仅适用于新型号核准
Subject: CA Public Clarification on the Scope of USB Type-C Charging Requirement
On 26 March 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued a public clarification regarding the implementation of the Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices, 2026. The Authority confirmed that the mandatory USB Type-C charging interface requirement applies exclusively to new type approval applications submitted on or after 24 March 2026.
CA further clarified that mobile devices approved prior to this date, including products already in use, in stock, or in transit, remain compliant and may continue to be sold, owned, and used without restriction. As the regulation does not apply retrospectively, no transition or grace period is required for previously approved devices.
India: BIS Mandatory ISI Certification for 90 Categories of Household and Commercial Electrical Appliances
印度：BIS 强制 90 类家用/商用电器 ISI 认证，2026 年 10 月 1 日起统一实施
Subject: Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026
Released Date: 6 April 2026
Issuing Authority: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India
On 6 April 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued the Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 1739(E)), superseding the previous 2025 Quality Control Order. The regulation mandates Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ISI certification for more than 90 categories of household, commercial, and similar electrical appliances, including DC-supplied and battery-operated products, and aligns with IS 302 (Part 1):2024, which is based on IEC 60335-1:2020.
The Quality Control Order will be enforced from 1 October 2026, after which non-compliant products will not be permitted to be manufactured, imported, sold, or distributed in the Indian market.
BIS – Quality Control Order, 2026 [PDF]
Malaysia: Cancellation of UWB Operation in the 3300–3400 MHz Frequency Band
马来西亚：UWB 设备 3300–3400 MHz 频段授权被取消
Subject: MCMC Notice on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Spectrum Class Assignment
On 11 February 2026, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced the cancellation of the class assignment permitting ultra-wideband (UWB) communication devices to operate in the 3300–3400 MHz frequency band under Class Assignment No. 2 of 2025. The cancellation will take effect on 1 April 2026, after which operation of UWB devices in the affected band will no longer be permitted.
This action follows earlier regulatory measures affecting adjacent frequency bands and results in the complete removal of the 3300–3700 MHz range from permitted UWB operation in Malaysia. Under the revised spectrum allocation, UWB communication devices will only be allowed to operate within the 3700–10600 MHz frequency range. Manufacturers, importers, and certification applicants are required to ensure product designs and technical documentation comply with the updated frequency requirements.
MCMC Announcement (11 February 2026)
Hong Kong: OFCA Releases Two Key Updates: Technical Specs Upgrade + New Frequency Allocation Table
中国香港：OFCA 两项重要法规更新：技术规范升级 + 频率分配表同步发布
Subject: Hong Kong | OFCA Updates Performance Specifications for 920–925MHz & RFID Equipment (HKCA 1049 / 1078 Issue 2)
On 18 March 2026, the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) Hong Kong issued two updated performance specifications, effective April 2026 and impacting certification requirements.
Key Changes
- HKCA 1078 (Issue 2): Expanded to 920–925MHz public telecom equipment; removed standalone electrical safety & radiation protection clauses; updated standards & evaluation procedures
https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_401/hkca1078.pdf - HKCA 1049 (Issue 2): Covers RFID in 865–868MHz & 920–925MHz; simplified safety clauses & upgraded technical requirements
https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_401/hkca1049.pdf
Subject: Hong Kong Frequency Allocation Table 2026 (WRC-23 aligned)
Issued：2026-04-01
- Updated Frequency Allocation Handbook fully incorporates WRC-23 outcomes
- Refined spectrum assignments & clarified primary/secondary service hierarchy
- Official guidance for network planning & interference management
All radio equipment certification, spectrum compliance & deployment must follow this latest version
https://www.ofca.gov.hk/filemanager/ofca/en/content_144/hk_freq_table_en.pdf
China: New Mandatory National Standard GB 47372-2026 for Power Banks Released
中国：移动电源新强制性国家标准 GB 47372-2026 正式发布
Official Overview:
China officially released the first mandatory national standard dedicated to power banks, GB 47372-2026 Safety Technical Specification for Power Bank, covering both portable power banks and portable energy storage power supplies. The standard significantly upgrades safety requirements and will take effect on 01 April 2027, with a 12-month industry transition period.
Official Reference Links:
GB 47372-2026 Full Text PDF:
https://js.119.gov.cn/group1/M00/00/10/Ci6RgmnUZmWAGZJTACo1u3fmVhI881.pdf
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