I. Core Certification Requirements
- Legal Basis
Under the Radio Regulation of the People's Republic of China, all radio transmission equipment (except micro-power short-range devices) must pass SRRC certification, obtain the Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Certificate, and be marked with CMIIT ID (e.g., CMIIT ID:2023DPXXXX). Uncertified devices face fines of up to RMB 1 million and are prohibited from being placed on the market. - Scope of Application
Mandatory Certification Equipment: 5G/4G communication modules, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, walkie-talkies, automotive radar, IoT terminals (e.g., NB-IoT modules), etc.
Exempted Equipment: Receive-only devices (e.g., radios), micro-power short-range devices (e.g., 2.4GHz Wi-Fi devices with power ≤10mW).
- Technical Standards
The spurious emission limit for the 2483.5-2500MHz band has been tightened from -30dBm/1MHz to -40dBm/1MHz.
Multi-antenna devices must incorporate beamforming gain to calculate Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP).
Bluetooth devices must pass interference avoidance testing (duty cycle ≤10%).
Key Test Items: Frequency tolerance, transmit power, spurious emissions, occupied bandwidth, interference avoidance (e.g., Bluetooth devices must cease transmission upon detecting interference).
New Regulation Changes (Effective 2025):
II. Certification Process Details
- Document Preparation
Basic Documents: Application form (Chinese and English), business license, ISO 9001 certificate, technical manual (including circuit diagrams and RF parameters), prototype photos (showing reserved CMIIT ID location).
Special Requirements: OEM agreement (if contract manufacturing), module certificate (if embedding a certified wireless module).
- Testing and Review
Laboratory Selection: SRRC-accredited laboratories such as the State Radio Monitoring Center, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, etc.
Testing Timeline: Standard process approximately 8 weeks; expedited can be reduced to 4 weeks (cost increases 30%-50%).
Fee Range: RMB 6,000-30,000 (depending on device complexity), including testing and review fees.
- Application and Certification
Online Submission: Through the MIIT Government Service Platform (https://ythzxfw.miit.gov.cn), fill in information and upload materials; review period approximately 1-2 weeks.
Certificate Validity: 5 years; renewal can be applied 30 days before expiry (no retesting required).
III. Post-Filing Supervision and Compliance
- Labeling Requirements
Devices must be marked with the CMIIT ID by etching or laser engraving, with character height ≥1mm, and must be displayed simultaneously on the manual and packaging. - Sales Filing
Sales documentation (e.g., contracts, e-commerce platform records) must be submitted within 3 months of certification, otherwise subsequent certification applications may be affected. - Market Spot Checks
Regulatory authorities conduct random inspections; enterprises must retain at least one sample for reference, ensuring consistency with certified parameters.
IV. Special Equipment Certification Key Points
- 5G Devices
Must comply with power limits for bands such as n1/n3/n41 (e.g., n41 band EIRP ≤23dBm), and pass RF conformance testing.
Test items include IPv6 compatibility, SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), OTA (Over-the-Air performance).
- IoT Devices
Low-power devices (e.g., 2.4GHz power ≤10mW) may be exempt from certification, but must comply with the Technical Requirements for Micro-Power Short-Range Radio Equipment.
High-power devices (e.g., LoRa terminals) require separate application; test items include Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) and spectrum mask.
- Imported Equipment
Certification must be completed before customs clearance; provide a Chinese-language manual and localized technical documentation; appoint a China-based agent to submit the application.
V. Frequently Asked Questions
- What to Do If Testing Fails?
Rectify and resubmit for testing; the rectification cycle is typically 1-2 weeks. It is recommended to conduct pre-testing in advance to reduce risk. - Certificate Changes and Renewal
Parameter Changes: Hardware or RF parameter adjustments require re-certification.
Address Changes: Only a written declaration is required; no retesting needed.
- How to Apply for Multiple Device Models?
Different hardware versions within the same series must apply separately (e.g., ABC-01 and ABC-02), unless they qualify for module exemption.
VI. Compliance Recommendations
- Plan Ahead:
Complete the upgrade of certificates under the old regulations before December 31, 2025, to avoid invalidation.
Prioritize the use of certified wireless modules (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to reduce overall device testing complexity.
- Technical Optimization:
RF circuit design must comply with the latest limits (e.g., 2.4GHz Wi-Fi power ≤20dBm) to avoid subsequent rectification.
Multi-antenna devices must provide a beamforming gain calculation report.
- Agency Selection:
Commission laboratories with 5G and IoT certification experience (e.g., Kaiwei Testing, Guangce Group) to shorten timelines and improve pass rates.