TELEC Certification Process and Standards

telec certification (Telecom Engineering Center)is a mandatory certification in Japan for radio equipment, regULated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).

This certification ensures that radio equipment complies with Japan’s Radio Lawtechnical standards, guaranteeing legal use within Japan.

TELEC is one of the main certification bodies in Japan, responsible for testing and certifying radio devices.

Certification Types and Scope

Applicable Devices:

- Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 2.4GHz / 5GHz)

- Bluetooth devices

- RFID devices (e.g., NFC)

- Cellular communication devices (4G/5G modules)

- Other radio frequency devices (e.g., ZigBee, LoRa)

Not Applicable:

- WiRED communication devices only (no TELEC certification required)

Certification Standards

Core Regulations:

- Japan Radio Lawand related technical standards

Common Standards:

- 2.4GHz Band:ARIB STD-T66 (equivalent to IEEE 802.11b/g/n)

- 5GHz Band:ARIB STD-T71 (specific sub-bands have power restrictions)

- Wi-Fi / Bluetooth

- RFID:ARIB STD-T109 (13.56MHz) or T107 (920MHz)

- Cellular Devices:Must comply with MIC frequency allocation and SAR requirements

Testing Items

- RF Testing:Frequency range, output power, bandwidth, spurious emissions, etc.

- emc testing:Electromagnetic compatibility (anti-interference ability)

- Safety Testing:Electrical safety (e.g., SAR value for near-body devices)

- Technical Documentation Review:Circuit diagrams, PCB layout, user manual, etc.

Certification Process

1. Application Submission:Submit technical documents (in Japanese or English) to TELEC or an authorized lab

2. Sample Testing:Conducted in a MIC-recognized Japanese laboratory (local testing usually required)

3. Review & Issuance:Upon approval, obtain the Technical Conformity Certification(giteki mark)

Timeline:

- Typical duration: 4–8 weeks (depending on product complexity)

Marking Requirements

Certified devices must display:

- giteki Mark (技適マーク)

- Certification Number(e.g., 001-AA1234)

Key Considerations

- Local Representative:Foreign companies must appoint a representative in Japan

- Frequency Band Differences:Japan’s 5GHz restrictions differ from EU/US (e.g., W52/W53/W56 require special compliance)

- Updates:Hardware or firmware changes may require re-certification

FAQs

1. If a module is already certified, does the end product still need certification?

- No, module certification is sufficient

2. How long is the certification valid?

- Valid indefinitely, unless regulations are updated