New Notice by Canadian Government: Currently Not Adopting IEC 62209-3

Near-Field Scanning Systems Continue to be the Basis for Wireless Device Certification

The Canadian Government issued a Notice on January 8, 2020 clarifying its position on the acceptance of specific absorption rate (SAR) measurement standards for wireless device certification. Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada has reviewed the IEC 62209-3 standard, published in September 2019, and concluded that it is currently not adopting this standard.

The formal Notice is consistent with ISED Canada’s position presented at the recent TCB Council Workshop in Baltimore. It is also consistent with the position taken by other national regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

Information on vector measurement-based systems for SAR compliance testing presented by ISED Canada at the November 2019 TCB Council workshop.

This means that the same rules apply for wireless certification as before. Canadian requirements for SAR measurement, specified in RSS-102, are based on standards IEEE 1528, IEC 62209-1 and IEC 62209-2. These standards describe rules for the use of near-field scanning systems, whereas IEC 62209-3 stipulates requirements for vector measurement-based systems.

The global regulatory situation with regard to IEC 62209-3 has been summarized here. 

Please inquire at info@speag.swiss for more information.