IC Certification Canada for Wireless Devices

To successfULly access the Canadian market for electronic devices, compliance with the ised (formerly IC) EMC Mandatory Certification is an essential requirement. As a core market access standard regulated by Innovation, Science and EconoMIC Development Canada (ISED), this certification focuses on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Radio Frequency (RF) safety. The new regulations implemented on September 1, 2025 have introduced significant adjustments to technical standards and certification procedures, which export enterprises must prioritize.

Which Products Require IC Compliance?

1. Scope of Application

Two categories of devices are coveRED, with no exceptions:

①　Wireless RF Devices: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth products, 5G terminals, wireless chargers, etc. These devices must be additionally labeled with an ic id code (format: IC:XXXXX-YYYYY).

②　Non-wireless Electronic Devices: Computers, printers, household appliances, etc. These devices must comply with the ICES series of EMC standards.

2. Certification Modes

①　Low-risk Devices: Subject to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) mode. Enterprises shall independently complete testing and sign a compliance declaration.

②　High-risk Devices: Testing must be conducted by an ISED-accredited laboratory (e.g., TÜV SÜD, SGS), followed by review and certification issuance by a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB).

Key Adjustments in the 2025 New Regulations (Official Mandatory Requirements)

1. Technical Standard Upgrades (Source: New Regulation Documents on the ISED Official Website)

①　rss-247 Issue 4: Lifts restrictions on the 5600–5650 MHz frequency band, adds power control requirements for vehicle-mounted wireless devices, and mandates the affixing of spurious interference warning labels for indoor devices.

②　RSS-193 Issue 1: Sets the first upper limit for transmission power and interference control standards for 5G millimeter-wave devices.

③　Safety Requirements: Adds TAS sar testing (human radiation safety) and TA-APD Certification, with evaluation criteria more aligned with actual usage scenarios.

2. Tighter Procedures and Fees

①　Multi-product Naming: A single model cannot be assigned multiple Product Marketing Names (PMN); a series certification process must be followed, otherwise the application will be directly rejected.

②　Document Format: Starting from August 1, the new version of the DoC template is mandatory. Applications missing technical compliance clauses will be rejected.

③　Fee Adjustments: USD 750 per new application and USD 375 per amendment application (announced on the ISED official website in June 2025).

Practical Compliance Recommendations for Enterprises (Proven Effective)

1. Standard Matching First: Wi-Fi devices correspond to RSS-247; information technology devices correspond to ICES-003 Issue 7.

2. Advance Technical Debugging: Focus on optimizing parameters for the 5 GHz frequency band and complete additional tests such as TAS SAR in advance.

3. Standardized Document Organization: Series products must adopt a unified model prefix; labels must include the IC ID and compliance declaration.

4. Selecting Reliable Partners: Prioritize cooperation with ISED-accredited laboratories such as JJR LAB. Reusing fcc test data can shorten the certification cycle by 30%.

5. Reserving a Local Representative: A designated local contact person in Canada is required to respond to subsequent regulatory inspections.

Final Reminder

Major platforms such as Amazon Canada and Best Buy have already launched mandatory ised certification inspections, with non-compliant products subject to immediate delisting. It is recommended that enterprises integrate certification planning into the R&D phase to avoid delayed market launch due to new regulation adjustments.