One radio, three different approval regimes. A side-by-side comparison of what each market requires, how long it takes, and how to sequence them without testing twice.
| Market | Approval | Who issues it | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | FCC ID (Certification) | Telecommunication Certification Body | 3–4 weeks |
| European Union | CE marking under RED (self-declaration) | Manufacturer; Notified Body for some cases | 3–5 weeks |
| China | SRRC type approval (model核准) | Provincial radio regulatory authority via SRRC | 2–3 weeks testing + 4–6 weeks official review |
Radio products also need a national type approval in most other markets — Japan (MIC / TELEC), Korea (KC), Canada (ISED), UK (UKCA) — each with its own procedure.
RF test data is largely portable across markets because the underlying measurement methods are similar. The practical approach is to run one complete RF and EMC test campaign on a single sample set, then produce market-specific reports and filings from that data. Re-testing for each market separately is the most common and most avoidable cost in a multi-market launch.
SRRC (State Radio Regulation Committee) type approval is required for radio equipment sold or used in China. The laboratory testing takes about 2–3 weeks, but the official review afterwards takes 4–6 weeks, and the applicant must be a Chinese entity with a business licence. Plan for roughly two months end to end, and start early if a product launch date depends on it.
Since 1 August 2025, radio equipment must meet the cybersecurity, privacy and fraud-protection requirements of the RED delegated regulation, assessed against EN 18031. This adds a documentation and design review to the RED workflow — covering how the device authenticates, how it handles personal data and how it resists fraud — but not penetration testing in the usual sense.
The FCC ID is an approval issued by a Telecommunication Certification Body after filing test results with the FCC for the US market. CE marking under the Radio Equipment Directive is primarily a manufacturer's self-declaration for the EU, supported by a technical file, though certain product categories require a Notified Body.
Yes. Radio transmitting equipment used or sold in China requires SRRC type approval. Testing takes about 2–3 weeks and official review a further 4–6 weeks, and the applicant must be a registered Chinese entity.
Often partially. RF and EMC measurement data are largely portable, but each market requires its own report format, national deviations and local applicant details. Planning a single test campaign covering all target markets is substantially cheaper than testing market by market.
No. A certified module covers the transmitter, but the host product still needs unintentional radiator emissions testing, and possibly RF exposure evaluation and RED cybersecurity documentation depending on the market and installation.
EN 18031 is the harmonised standard supporting the cybersecurity requirements that became applicable under the Radio Equipment Directive from 1 August 2025. It applies to radio equipment that connects to networks or processes personal data, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and IoT devices.
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