What is the Philippines Wireless NTC Certification?

According to the Philippines Radio Control Law, wireless products must obtain a license from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for legal use and sale in the Philippines. This license is implemented by its affiliate agency, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), also known as Wireless NTC Certification. Wireless includes Bluetooth, WiFi, 2G/3G/4G/5G communication devices, etc. Only certified wireless products can be sold in the Philippines.

Product Types

NTC classifies radio and telecommunication equipment into three categories. Each corresponds to different product ranges and certificate types:

1. Radio Communications Equipment (RCE)

 - Certificate Type:Type Acceptance certificate

 - Specification:For low-power / short-range radio devices (e.g., WLAN, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID)

 - Example Products:Bluetooth headsets, wireless MICe

2. Consumer Premises Equipment (CPE)

 - Certificate Type:Type Approval Certificate

 - Specification:For radio devices with communication functions (e.g., GSM, CDMA, LTE, 3G, 4G) and high-power radar devices

 - Example Products:Desktop computers, fax machines

3. Devices with Built-in/Integrated Radio CPE (GEC)

 - Certificate Type:Grant of Equipment Conformity

 - Specification:For devices with both RCE and CPE functions (e.g., phones with WLAN, Bluetooth)

 - Example Products:Tablets, phones, wireless printers

Note: Pure wiRED devices (such as Ethernet or fiber optic devices) usually do not require NTC certification.

Certification Attributes

- Nature:Mandatory

- Validity:Long-term validity

- Lead time:7-8 weeks (depending on project)

- Certification method:Based on CE certification conversion

- Local representative:Not required

- Sample preparation:/

- Support for series models:Not supported

- Support for modULe certification:Not supported

Required Documents for Certification

- Application form

- Power of attorney signed by the manufacturer

- Product manual (with actual product pictures)

- Product test reports (issued by ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories. Manufacturers can choose the testing center. The Philippines accepts CE, FCC, IC, C-tick reports. Some products may require local testing in the Philippines. Recognized Chinese labs: Tongyao, MORLAB, HTW International, etc.)

- RF test report (2G, 3G, LTE, WLAN, RFID, Bluetooth, ANT+, WiGig, etc.)

- RF-EMC test report

- EMC test report

- Safety report (CE-LVD report accepted for SRD products)

- SAR report (for mobile phones and WWAN tablets)

Notes:

1. Other than RF reports, all test reports should be for the final product.

2. Module RF reports can replace final product RF reports.

3. RF report priority: Module NTC certificate > FCC report > CE report.

Certification Process

1. Confirm applicable standards

 - Check if the device is under NTC regulation (refer to NTC Memorandum Orders).

 - Determine applicable test standards (ETSI, FCC, or NTC local standards).

2. Laboratory testing

 - Conduct RF and EMC tests at NTC-recognized labs.

 - Devices with existing FCC/CE certifications may have reduced testing requirements.

3. Submit application

 - Through a local agent, submit:

 - Test reports

 - Technical documents (circuit diagram, user manual)

 - Application form and proof of payment

4. Review and issuance

 - Upon approval, NTC issues a Type Approval Certificate, and the device must display an NTC ID.

Certificate Types

Each model requires a separate NTC certificate. Types include:

- GEC (General Equipment Conformity)

- Specification: WLAN + WWAN

- Certificate No.: ESD-GEC-xxxxxx

- RCE (Radio Communications Equipment)

- Specification: WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, SRD products

- Certificate No.: ESD-RCE-xxxxxx

- CPE (Consumer Premises Equipment)

- Specification: GSM, CDMA, LTE, PSTN-connected devices (wired products)

- Certificate No.: ESD-CPE-xxxxxx

Certification Timeline

- Application period: Typically 5-8 weeks

- Approval time depends on product category; may take several months to years

- Certification validity: 5 years (renewable)

NTC certification is mandatory for radio and telecommunication equipment entering the Philippine market. Businesses planning to sell such products in the Philippines should prepare in advance to avoid delays.