On January 02, 2014, the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (CMIIT) announced support for modular certification of low-power radio transmitters used with Wifi & Bluetooth applications in Internet Technology equipment and Household appliances. This includes use in PCs, laptops, printers, etc, for IT and TV’s, refrigerators, etc, for the household.

Types of Modular Approvals

There are two types of modular approvals:

• Holistic
• Limited

These types are similar to the FCC but instead of eight conditions that need to be satisfied, China only requires five. For Holistic Approval, they are:

1. Data Buffer/Modulation Unit
2. RF unit should be fully shielded
3. Integrated Antenna
4. Specific power supply requirement
5. Compliance with other policies and regulations of China

If all five conditions are not satisfied then it is considered a Limited Approval.   For example, if the antenna is connected via an u.Fl connector or if the unit is not shielded then it is considered a limited approval.   Limited approvals must be re-tested in the final system product although only tests that can be tested via radiated measurements are re-tested.

Currently, all testing must be done in China. Tests include:

• Conducted Transmit Output Power
• Frequency Tolerance
• Frequency Range
• Occupied Bandwidth
• Transmitted E.I.R.P. (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power)
• Maximum Radiated Power Spectral Density
• Radiated Spurious Emissions and Off-Band Emission Power (EIRP)

What about SAR and Permissive Changes?

The FCC notion of mobile and portable are not used, as SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) for Wifi radio is not required. Permissive Changes are not supported and require full re-tests.

Validity and Requirements for Modular Approval in China?

Radio modular approvals are valid for 5 years and come with a State Radio Regulations Committee (SRRC) certificate. Similar to the FCC website, certificates can be viewed at http://www.srrc.org.cn/WP_Search.aspx. The SRRC will issue a CMIIT ID number in the form of:

XXXX Y Y ZZZZ (10 digits)

XXXX: Year
Y: Equipment Type (i.e., A=Fixed Communication Equipment, C=Public Mobile Communication Equipment, D=Short Range Device, etc)
Y: P (Domestic), J (Overseas Produced)
ZZZZ: Serial Number

Note: For Limited Approval a “(M)” follows the Serial Number

For a holistic modular approval, the final system product must show on its label the following line in Chinese.

The English translation is “The equipment contains the RF modules of which Type Approval code is CMIIT ID: XXXXYYZZZZ”.

For a limited modular approval, the final system product must show on its label the limited modules CMIIT ID number in a visible location.

China Compulsory Certification - CCC Mark

Your final product must also obtain the CCC mark (China Compulsory Certification) before importation. There are 22 categories with 159 types of products now listed in the HS (Harmonized System) Code.  In addition to radio type approval, your product may also require a Network Access License (NAL) for telecommunications. Both safety and EMC testing is also needed for certification. Factory inspection is required with annual renewal requirements and fees.

The CCC mark labels must be purchased from China or you can print your own CCC marks with a permit for unlimited quantity although annual renewals apply. If you buy, you must keep track of the number of labels used and this is verified during the factory annual inspections.

The final product must have a label with 5 mandatory line items. Also the product manuals can be in English but Quick Start Guides must be in Chinese.

1. Company Name
2. Model Number
3. Product Name in Chinese
4. Country of Origin in Chinese
5. Input Power Rating. Class A equipment also require additional labeling but not Class B.

How can SIlex help?

Silex can help you through the process of obtaining modular approval for Silex radio products and also through the testing process of your final product. Silex will help oversee the initial radio testing in China, then help guide you through the radiated tests using their final product and finally help them get CCC approval.

Silex Technology is a member of the Wi-Fi Alliance (www.wi-fi.org), and can help you obtain Wi-Fi Certification for your products, as well as compliance with other international regulatory standards. Please contact sales@silexamerica.com for more information on the services we provide.