Designation Requirements for Canada

Introduction 
 

The governments of the United States and Canada signed binding exchange letters to implement Phase I (for testing laboratories) of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement for the Conformity Assessment of Telecommunication Equipment (APEC Tel MRA)  on January 17, 2002, and Phase II (for certification bodies) on January 28, 2003. 

The MRA between the US and Canada covers the recognition of testing laboratories and acceptance of test reports generated by recognized labs and the recognition of certification bodies and the acceptance of the product certification results issued by recognized certification bodies

Regulatory Authority

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is the regulatory authority in Canada for radio and telecommunications equipment.

Recognized Accreditation Bodies
 

US CABs seeking recognition must be accredited by an accreditation body (AB) listed by NIST for MRAs.

Phase I: Testing Laboratories (Terminal Equipment, Wireless Devices, and Broadcasting Equipment)

ISED’s criteria and procedures for recognition under the Phase-I MRA can be viewed here: REC-LAB — Procedure for the Recognition of Testing Laboratories to Test/Assess to Canadian Requirements

See also the NIST Supplemental Instructions (V2 - March 31, 2024) on the Test Lab Scope of Accreditation to Support ISED Recognition & the ISED Test Lab Technical Assessment Checklist (2021 version).

Standards Available for Recognition 

Testing laboratories can be recognized for one or more of the following standards (as defined in Section 7 of the REC-LAB, Issue 7):

• RSS-Gen and any Radio Standards Specification (RSS) except RSS-310

 - No recognition is available or required for RSS-310.  This standard covers licensed exempt radio products. 
 - For RSS-247, if the lab does not have the capability for DFS, list the standard as RSS-247 (no DFS).    

• NEW:  RSS-102, Issue 6 and one or more RSS-102, Issue 6 sub-scopes  

 - See the NIST Supplemental Instructions (V2 – March 31, 2024)
 - Existing Scopes of Recognition associated with RSS-102, Issue 5 are available until December 15, 2024. 
 - CABs seeking recognition only for RSS-102, Issue 6 or Issue 5 scopes do not need to include RSS-GEN. 

• CS-03 Parts (except Parts II and IV)
   

• BETS (except BETS-3 and BETS-7)

Labs seeking recognition for only part of a standard (due to a limited accreditation) that is not already subdivided as shown above must first obtain approval from ISED via the General Inquiry Form. This approval should be submitted to NIST along with the request for designation.

Technical Checklist to be Completed by ISED Recognized Accreditation Body
 

During the CAB’s assessment, the accreditation body’s assessor(s) must complete the ISED Testing Laboratory Technical Assessment Checklist (Technical Assessment Checklist). 

This Technical Assessment Checklist must be submitted with the application for designation and include the following:

• The name and physical location(s) of the labs assessed [including any satellite locations]
• The dates of the assessment
• The type of assessment (initial, renewal, interim, for example)
• The signature of the AB assessor(s)
• For any nonconformities cited, a notation from the AB (on the Checklist) confirming that the nonconformity has been closed. 

See the NIST Supplemental Instructions (V2 - March 31, 2024).

Standards on the Scope of Accreditation

For RSS and BETS:

ISED will need confirmation of the versions of the standards assessed. 

When applying for recognition select one of the following options: 

• Option 1: Include the RSS/BETS number, issue number, issue date, and latest update/amendment number and date on the Scope of Accreditation.
• Option 2: Include a list issued by the AB of the specific RSS and BETS that were assessed in the most recent assessment. The list shall include the RSS/BETS number, issue number, issue date, and latest update/amendment number and date.

For CS-03 Parts (Parts III and IV not available):

Include the following for all the CS-03 Parts on the Scope of Accreditation:

• Part #, Issue #, Amendment #, year

See the NIST Supplemental Instructions (V2 - March 31, 2024).

General CAB Requirements

The CAB must meet the following requirements:

• General Requirements for CAB Designation

 Initial Application Documents & Process

Submit the following documents to NIST electronically at mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov):

• Phase I Application Documents 
  • Written request for designation (email is acceptable)
    • Include a statement that the test laboratory complies with all provisions of REC-LAB (per REC-LAB Section 6, Step 2 - last sentence) 
  • ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation
  • Confirmation of the RSS/BETS number, issue number, issue date, and latest update/amendment number and date and/or CS-03 Parts for which recognition is being sought:
    • See section above on “Standards on the Scope of Accreditation”
      • For Option 1, the information will be on the Scope of Accreditation.
      • For Option 2, please submit the RSS/BETS list completed by the AB.
  • Signed CAB Declaration form
  • ISED’s Technical Assessment Checklist
• If seeking initial designation for a partial standard not already defined in Section 7, (of the REC-LAB) submit evidence that the CAB has obtained prior approval from ISED that the partial standard recognition will be acceptable (via the General Inquiry Form and ISED response confirming, if applicable, that the partial standard can be designated).

Once NIST has reviewed the application and confirmed its completeness, NIST will forward a designation request to ISED, who, under the terms of the MRA, has up to 60 days to respond. 

Renewing ISED Lab Recognition (with Accreditation Renewal)

Laboratories recognized by ISED must apply for renewal of the recognition prior to the accreditation expiration date.  Please submit the following to NIST (mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov)):

• Renewed ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation
• RSS/BETS number, issue number, issue date, and latest update/amendment number and date and CS-03 Parts assessed (either listed on the Scope or in a letter/form from the AB)
  
  Versions of the standards must be up to date.
   
• ISED’s Technical Assessment Checklist completed by the AB during the renewal assessment 
  
  If no additional standards are being added to the designation, your lab has the option to instead submit a statement issued by the AB (email acceptable) confirming that your lab continues to comply with the previously submitted Technical Assessment Checklist on record. The AB statement must include the date of the previously submitted Technical Assessment Checklist.  See also REC-LAB, Section 6, Step 3, Notes.

Extending ISED Lab Recognition (with Accreditation Extension)

Laboratories may apply for an extension (usually up to 3 months) of the ISED recognition if the AB has issued an extension of the accreditation prior to completion of the accreditation renewal process. Please submit the following to NIST (mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov)).

• Extended ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation

Expanding ISED Lab Recognition (via Interim Assessment)

Laboratories may expand (add standards) to their ISED Lab Recognition at any time during their ISED recognition period. Additional standards must first be added to the Scope of Accreditation via interim assessment by the AB.  ISED Notice 2023 – DRS00002 addresses the ISED policy for on-site and remote assessments. Please submit the following to NIST (mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov)): 

• ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation reflecting the additional standards
• RSS/BETS number, issue number, issue date, and latest update/amendment number and date and CS-03 Parts (as listed on the Scope or in a letter/form from the AB). Version of all the standards must be up to date.
• Technical Assessment Checklist completed by the AB during the interim assessment to add the standards.  

Phase II: Certification Bodies

ISED’s REC-CB contains the requirements and procedures for ISED recognition of Certification Bodies.  

CB Scopes Available for Recognition
 

The following ISED CB scopes are available for recognition: Radio Scopes 1-6 and the Broadcasting Scope.  

Each CB scope covers a list of standards for which Canada will accept equipment certifications.

General CAB Requirements
 

The CAB must meet the following General Requirements.

Application Documents & Process

1. A cover letter (can be email) including:
   1. Request for CAB designation to ISED under Phase II of the APEC Tel MRA
   2. Primary contact person's name, mailing address, phone number including extension (if any), email
   3. Alternate contact person's name, mailing address, phone number including extension (if any), email
   4. Desired ISED Scope(s) for Phase II (reference: REC-CB, Section 4.2)
2. Copy of the ISO/IEC 17065 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation specifying ISED Requirements (reference: REC-CB, Section 4.1 b)
3. A copy of the CB's ISED recognized supporting lab’s ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation specifying the RSS and/or BETS Standards required (reference: REC-CB, Section 4.3.a.i). The standards for each Radio Scope and the Broadcasting Scopes are listed at Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Equipment Scopes of Accreditation for Certification Bodies
4. If relevant to fully cover each CB scope, a copy of the contractual arrangements with another ISED recognized testing laboratory located in Canada or an economy with which Canada has an MRA, and the contracted lab's ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation (reference: REC-CB, Section 4.3.a.ii)
5. A copy of the recognized supporting lab’s (see #3 and #4 above) signed Technical Assessment Checklist. (reference: REC-CB, Section 4.3.b)
6. A completed copy of the REC-CB Annex A checklist including detailed (to the section/page level) reference as requested
7. A copy of all documents referenced in the REC-CB Annex A checklist
8. Submit a matrix with the names of the CB's personnel that are technically qualified for (1) evaluation, (2) review, (3) decision on certification for ISED. [Reference: ISO/IEC 17065]

Once NIST has reviewed the application and confirmed its completeness, NIST will submit a designation request to ISED. Under the terms of the MRA, ISED has up to 60 days to respond to NIST. 

ISED Recognized CBs – Extending, Renewing Recognition and/or Expanding Recognition Scope

CBs that are recognized by ISED must apply for an extension or renewal of the recognition prior to the accreditation expiration date.  

The CB recognition expiration date is based on two years from the date of recognition OR the earliest expiration date of all accreditations that are considered (CB’s ISO/IEC 17065 and in-house and/or contracted laboratory ISO/IEC 17025).

Recognized CBs may expand their recognition scope at any time. 

Please submit the following to mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov):

Extending CB Recognition

• Extended ISO/IEC 17065 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB
• Extended ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB's ISED recognized in-house lab
• Extended ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB's ISED recognized contracted lab and the current contractual arrangements, if relevant

Renewing CB Recognition

• Renewed ISO/IEC 17065 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB
• Renewed ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB's in-house lab
• If the in-house lab does not cover all RSS/BETS standards required for the ISED scope of the CB, please submit the contractual arrangements and ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of subcontracted labs that have the additional RSS/BETS scopes to complete full coverage.

Expanding Recognition Scope

• ISO/IEC 17065 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB
• ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate of Accreditation for the CB's in-house lab
• If the in-house lab does not cover all RSS/BETS standards required for the ISED scope of the CB, submit the ISO/IEC 17025 Scope and Certificate and contractual arrangements of subcontracted labs that have the additional RSS/BETS scopes to complete full coverage.

Technical Content Last Revised on April 1, 2024