ISED certification (formerly IC certification) is a mandatory compliance certification implemented by the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada for wireless communication devices. It mainly ensures that mobile phones meet the Canadian RSS standard series in terms of radio frequency performance, electromagnetic compatibility, etc. This certification is the "passport" that smartphones need to enter the Canadian market and is applicable to all mobile device models with wireless functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G, etc.
The Importance of Certification
According to Canadian regulations, wireless devices that fail the ISED certification will not be able to be sold or imported locally. Violations may face risks such as product removal, heavy fines (up to 50,000 Canadian dollars), and customs clearance delays. In addition, the certification mark can effectively enhance the credibility of the product and strengthen consumer trust, helping the brand establish a compliant and reliable image in the Canadian and North American markets, and avoiding missed market opportunities due to lack of qualifications.
Required Materials for Application
To obtain the certification, the following documents need to be prepared:
1. Enterprise qualification proof and authorization letter from the local agent in Canada;
2. Technical documents of the mobile phone, including circuit diagrams, radio frequency block diagrams, a list of key components, as well as parameter descriptions such as working frequency, transmission power, etc.;
3. Test reports on radio frequency, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and specific absorption rate (SAR) issued by an ISED-accredited laboratory;
4. Bilingual user manual, which must include a compliance statement and a sample of the product label marked with the IC ID.
Overview of the Certification Process
The certification process mainly consists of the following steps:
1. Determine the corresponding RSS standard for the product and select an ISED-accredited laboratory for testing;
2. Compile complete application materials, submit them through the ISED online system, and pay the relevant fees;
3. After the review is passed, obtain the unique IC ID and mark the compliance logo on the product to start selling.
The general processing period is approximately 4–6 weeks. Models with more complex structures or functions may require a longer time.
Deeply penetrating the Canadian market, ISED certification is an indispensable compliance step for smartphone enterprises. ZRLK has professional certification experience and technical team, which can provide enterprises with a full-process support from document preparation, test coordination to review tracking, helping products complete the certification efficiently and enter the North American market smoothly. Choosing a reliable partner can provide strong guarantees for your product's compliance and market expansion.
