Importance of WPC Certification

Overview of WPC Certification

An authorization certificate known as a WPC certificate or WPC license enables Indian importers to purchase radio and wireless equipment from outside. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is the entity that issues it.

Before being imported into India, any radio equipment, such as walkie-talkies, RC vehicles, boats, drones, UAVs, ZigBee, Bluetooth devices, etc. must have WPC ETA certificate. Customs officers will confiscate radio equipment smuggled into India at the border if they don't get prior WPC clearance.

There is no need to have separate WPC approval for computers, routers, or phones. Since the factory inspection is no longer necessary, the product must go through the certification procedure, which includes application, evaluation, and testing, before the WPC certificate and ETA (Equipment Type Approval) certification number are granted.

Understanding WPC ETA Approval

Wireless Planning and Coordination is the full form of WPC. The National Radio Regulatory Authority, the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is in charge of managing the frequency spectrum, granting licenses, and attending to the demands of all wireless users.

The WPC wings grants WPC ETA licenses for IT and electronic items that meet the requirements of wireless technology users. Only Bluetooth, wireless devices and electronic products approved by the WPC, operating on unlicensed frequency bands and according to human safety regulations, are allowed to be sold in India.

What is WPC Certificate?

Established in 1952, the national broadcasting agency known as WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is a division of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and is currently run by Saral Sanchar Online Portal.

Products having radio and/or wireless capabilities that are imported, produced, and sold in India must receive an equipment type approval certificate (ETA certificate) from the Indian government's Ministry of Communications' Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC India) division. This covers devices that include radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, wireless local area network access technology (Wi-Fi), tiny digital radios (Zigbee), and many more features.

A WPC certification is required for anybody using wireless devices for commercial purposes in India. Manufacturers and importers of equipment with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities are required to get WPC licenses (ETA certificates) from the Wireless Planning & Coordination department in India.

Requirements of WPC ETA Certificate

The features of WPC Certificate are mentioned below:

• All wireless devices operating on DE approved bands must be registered with the WPC.
• The department responsible for Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) oversees and manages the WPC license.
• WPC ETA certificate is not issued in the name of any foreign firm, but solely to an Indian agency.
• A complete report of the Radio Test Report (RF test report) from an approved test laboratory must be attached with the application.
• Details like video bandwidth, resolution bandwidth, frequency span, sweep, etc., must be included in test reports.

What are the Types of WPC ETA Licenses?

The types of WPC ETA licenses are mentioned below:

Non-Network License

Companies that offer non-network services, such as, distributors of cable TV and wireless products, are granted this license. This license is required in order to import, purchase, and sell specific wireless equipment. The WPC for wireless devices in India will only issue a non-network license to you if your business is incorporated and you have the appropriate staff for your operation or equipment. This license is of three types:

1. Import License: An import license is necessary in order to export wireless products to India. The license holder is authorized to sell wireless products in Indian Territory.
2. Dealer Possession License: WPC issues a Dealer Possession License to any person or entity that distributes and dealers in wireless products.
3. Non-Dealer Possession License: WPC issues a non-dealer possession license to a person or organization that does not deal with wireless devices and does not hold a license from the organization.

Network License

A company needs a network license in order to offer communication services across the country's restricted radio frequency capacity, such as cable, DTH, and mobile networks.

1. Internet Service Provider License (ISP): Any organization that wants to provide Internet services must get an ISP license from the Department of Telecommunication (DoT).
2. Experimental License: Any organization or individual intending to conduct research or studies with wireless devices may also be awarded an experimental license by the Department in exchange for the WPC ETA certificate.

Eligibility Criteria for WPC Certification

The eligibility criteria for getting a WPC Certificate are mentioned below:

1. Representative Appointed: A foreign company applicant must select an authorized agent in order to obtain WPC approval in India. During the Indian application process for WPC clearance, the foreign firm will be represented by a corporation recognized as the authorized representative.
2. Manufacturers and Importers: Manufacturers and importers who wish to sell devices with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities in the Indian market must get a Certificate of Import Authorization and WPC certification prior to doing so.
3. ISO Laboratories Report: If the product is manufactured in the country, extra in-country testing is not required. The only requirement is obtaining a specific Radio Frequency (RF) report from a lab accredited by ISO/IEC 17025.
4. Frequency Results: The frequency result for that particular wireless accessory must always be mentioned in the results. The resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, frequency, and sweep characteristics must all be included in each result.
5. Delicensed Frequency Bands: All devices must be able to operate on the specified delicensed frequency bands. Additionally, all devices that have wireless capabilities must be able to operate on the delicensed frequency bands.
6. Technical Information Sheet: The technical data sheet must be in the applicant's possession. You can ask the relevant authorities for this.

What are the benefits of WPC Certificate?

The benefits of WPC certificate are mentioned below:

1. Eliminates hassles during customs clearance

The WPC license serves as evidence of all the device's minute details and frequency test reports. Having a WPC certificate makes customs processing considerably simpler when importing wireless equipment.

2. Preventing frequency interference

Many goods that use unlicensed frequencies have the potential to interfere with other wireless devices' ability to function if a user is careless. ETA certifications are used to eradicate these incursions.

3. Preserving national security

A lot of the time, wireless gadgets are a major threat to national security. As a result, the Wireless Planning and Coordination wing has established strict guidelines for assessing the interior design of wireless devices.

4. Guarantees the import of higher-quality equipment

RF testing is carried out in a lab that has received accreditation to determine whether or not the equipment is operational.

What are the documents required for WPC Certification?

The documents needed to apply for a WPC ETA License is listed below:

• Radio frequency test report from any Indian lab recognized by NABL or from a foreign lab accredited by IS0 17025.
• Details of the product
• Online fee payment receipt
• Copy of Company's registration certificate
• A copy of the company's address
• GST registration
• ID proof of the authorized individual
• Authorization Letter
• Technical specifications of the product
• IEC for import
• A purchase order for imported goods
• Test report (ASTM, EN, RoHS, CE)

What is the process of getting WPC Certification?

The process of getting a WPC Certificate is mentioned below:

1. Analyzing the RF-Test Report and EN Standard: The first step in obtaining WPC ETA certification is analyzing the EN Standard and the frequency range mentioned in the product's RF-Test report. A self-declaration certificate is given if the range is covered by a necessary device; if not, a DE License is needed.
2. Submission of Documents: After verifying the frequency range from the RF-Report, the next step is to submit documentation, both offline and online, to the WPC Authority for a specific type of license.
3. Payment: To get a WPC certification on the Saral Sanchar website, input your login information and pay the necessary amount via the government website.
4. Document Validation: The documentation and the RF test report will be examined by WPC representatives; if any documentation is missing, the WPC will ask for a clarification report.
5. Issue of WPC ETA Certificate: If WPC officials are satisfied with all of the product's test findings and documents submitted, a WPC certificate will be granted.

PSR Compliance Consultant for WPC Certification

You can choose PSR Compliance for obtaining WPC Certification as we provide comprehensive services for ETA certification consultancy. Our experts provide thorough assistance in obtaining an ETA certificate from the WPC wing. We assist clients in preparing and submitting the necessary paperwork, as well as a complete copy of the product's radio test report (RF test report) from an approved testing facility. Moreover, our experts are competent enough to answer the questions raised by the department.