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Algeria with new Type Approval framework
The North-African country Algeria is bordered by Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, and the Mediterranean Sea. The population is above 47 million, with Algiers as the capital and largest city.
The Algerian Authority of Post & Electronic Communications (ARPCE) has issued the Executive Decree No. 26-97 with a new regulatory framework for Type Approval of electronic communication equipment
Key points:
A fully digital application platform, whereby electronic documents and test reports are accepted.
Type Approval is mandatory for all telecom and radio equipment
Sample submission required in most cases
Certificate validity 5 years
Introduced a standardized national labeling format
Market surveillance and compliance checks enforced
Existing certificates remain valid until expiry, then transition to new framework
Kenya enforces mandatory sample submission for telecom approvals
The West African country Kenya is bordered by the Indian Ocean, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Lake Victoria. The population is nearly 60 mill with Nairobi as the capital and largest city. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has issued updated technical specifications and started strict enforcement of physical sample submission for all Type Approval applications.
Key points:
Applications without samples are rejected
Requirement existed before but is now strictly enforced
No general exemptions
Large equipment reviewed case-by-case only
Previous approvals without samples are no longer valid as a precedent
Also, all mobile cellular devices applying for Type Approval comply must with updated technical specifications which include mandatory use of a USB Type‑C charging interface and a detachable charging cable.
Devices approved prior to 24 March this year, as well as units already in circulation, shipment, or awaiting shipment, are exempted from this new requirement.
Eswatini introduces mandatory Type Approval of telecom equipment
The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a relatively small country in southern Africa, with a population of about 1.3 mill. It is bordered by South Africa on all sides except for Mozambique to the east. The executive capital and largest city is Mbabane, and the legislative capital is Lobamba.
The Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) has now mandated that from 13 April this year, Type
Approval is mandatory for all telecommunication equipment imported into the country.
Key points:
Type Approval Certificate required before import and market entry
Enforcement at all customs checkpoints
Full inspection of incoming shipments
Cameroon tightening regulatory control
The Republic of Cameroon is a country in Central Africa which shares boundaries with Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Atlantic Ocean. The population is about 30 mill and the capital and largest city is Yaoundé.
The authority responsible for telecommunication is the Agence de Régulation des Télécommunications (ART).
ART is introducing measures for ensuring that telecommunication equipment entering the Cameroonian market
adheres to national quality and safety standards, particularly regarding network interoperability and consumer
protection.
They now require sample submission as part of the Type Approval process, having reaffirmed that 3 samples per
project must be submitted when applying for Type Approval.
Other measures include gradual establishment of a testing facility for equipment evaluation, and an Internal Control unit for pre-validating the completeness and conformity of application files.
For further information and/or assistance with approvals, for North African countries please contact
Lars.Hjerpseth@nemko.com, and for other African countries Geremy.Bradshaw@nemko.com
(This article is triggered by notification from Certa Global Consulting and internal announcements by Geremy Bradshaw; edited by T.Sollie)