TEC Certification

Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) Certification plays a pivotal role in ensuring that telecommunications and information technology products meet the requisite technical standards and regulatory guidelines for access to the Indian market. This certification, mandated by the Government of India, is particularly significant for foreign manufacturers seeking to export their telecom and IT equipment to India. TEC Certification, administered by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India, signifies that a product adheres to the stringent technical and quality standards mandated by the Indian government. It encompasses various categories of products, including wired and wireless communication devices, cellular network equipment, data communication systems and more. 

This certification serves as a testament to a product's compliance with Indian regulations, ensuring safety, reliability and interoperability. Foreign manufacturers must undergo a thorough evaluation and testing process to obtain TEC Certification. This involves submitting technical documents, conducting tests in TEC-accredited laboratories and meeting specific requirements based on the product category. Once certified, the product is allowed entry into the Indian market, promoting consumer confidence, ensuring product quality and facilitating market access. TEC Certification offers foreign manufacturers the opportunity to engage in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets. 

As per the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules of 2017, it is mandatory for all telecom equipment to undergo testing and certification before their sale, import, or use in India. The detailed process for this Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) under these regulations has been independently published. This rigorous testing aims to verify equipment compliance with essential requirements and is conducted by Indian Accredited Laboratories appointed by TEC. TEC grants the certification based on the test reports submitted by these accredited labs. 

Types of Voluntary Certification Schemes 

Schemes within the Voluntary Certification Regime include: 

Type Approval: Ensures compliance of telecom products with TEC's Generic Requirements (GRs) through evaluation and certification, often involving on-site or laboratory testing, accepting relevant ILAC-accredited lab reports. 

Interface Approval: Certifies telecom products for adherence to TEC's Interface Requirements (IRs), following TEC's Test Schedule and Test Procedure (TSTP), with testing at OEM sites or in labs. ILAC-accredited lab reports may be required.

Certificate of Approval (CoA): For products without specific TEC Requirements, CoA involves testing based on manufacturer specs, following TEC's TSTP, on-site or in labs and accepting ILAC-accredited lab reports. 

Technology Approval: Tests prototypes by C-DoT or R&D organizations based on relevant Generic Requirements (GRs) from TEC. Testing may occur on-site or in labs, considering ILAC-accredited lab reports. 

Importance of TEC Certification 

TEC Certification is important for foreign manufacturers seeking to export their products to the Indian market in the following ways: 

• TEC Certification is mandatory for some telecommunications and IT products, ensuring adherence to Indian technical standards and regulatory requirements. 
• Certification opens the doors to one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets, allowing foreign manufacturers to enter into India's vast consumer base. 
• TEC Certification assures Indian consumers of product safety, quality and compliance with local standards, building trust in the brand. 
• Certified products are often preferred by consumers and businesses due to their adherence to technical benchmarks, giving manufacturers a competitive edge in the Indian market. 
•  Import and distribution processes and promoting ease of doing business in India. 

Through the Export Approval platform, Brand Liaison (Compliance Service Partner) provides comprehensive support and guidance to foreign manufacturers throughout the TEC Certification process in India. Brand Liaison can act as the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for a Foreign OEM if there are no alternative arrangements. With our specialized expertise, you can seamlessly navigate the TEC Certification journey, guaranteeing that your products meet compliance standards and are fully prepared to export in the Indian market.

Feel free to contact Brand Liaison for quick and seamless TEC Certification services!

Here is the list of documents required for foreign manufacturers for TEC Certification in India: 

Legal Address Proof of the Manufacturing Unit: 

• Provide a copy of the factory license, clearly indicating the product's manufacturing scope and the manufacturing unit's address in both English and the original language. 

Trademark Details: 

• Include a copy of the trademark (brand) registration.
• If the manufacturing unit is not the trademark owner, submit an authorization letter from the trademark owner. 

Technical Details about Products: 

• Include product information such as the product name, brand name and model number.
• List safety-critical components.
• Submit the Bill of Material (BoM).
• Provide the PCB layout and circuit diagram for the product.
• Include product samples, the user manual and necessary accessories for product operation.
• Share the layout and circuit diagram for mains power or SMPS (Switched-Mode Power Supply).
• Information about any related series models (for series guidelines, please refer to the View/Download section).
• Include a copy of the product's marking label.
• If necessary, provide OEM support for configuring the product for functional testing. 

Information about the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): 

• Submit KYC documentation for the AIR company.
• Provide details of the authorized signatory person. 

Additional Technical Information for Cells/Batteries: 

• Supply a testing report for UN 38.3 (related to the transportation of hazardous materials) for lithium-ion cells and batteries.
• Include a Certificate of ISO 9001 compliance. 

The foreign manufacturer must designate an Indian business entity as its Authorized Indian Representative and Signatory, and any executive within this Indian company is eligible to fulfil the role of AIR. 

Note: If there are no alternative arrangements, Brand Liaison can act as the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for a Foreign OEM.

Costing for TEC Certification 

Kindly contact our team with your product details so that we can provide you the personalized quotations for the cost of TEC Certification. 

Contact information: +91-9250056788 or +91-8130856678 

Timeline for TEC Certification 

30 to 60 working days

Complete your TEC Certification process by following these steps:

Step 1: Register on the TEC Portal

Step 2: Allocation of Testing Laboratory

Step 3: Submit Samples for Testing

Step 4: Receive Test Reports

Step 5: Submit Documents and Payment to TEC

Step 6: After successful verification, TEC will grant the certificate

Validity of TEC Certificate 

The TEC Certification for Foreign OEMs is granted for five years or until the expiry of the MOU or AIR letter, whichever comes first. 

Renewal of TEC Certificate 

• To renew a certificate, submit an online application along with the renewal fee at least one month before the current certificate's expiry date. 
• Renewal of a certificate is granted when there are no changes in the applicable Essential Requirements (ERs) for the equipment and no alterations in the equipment model. 
• Upon renewal, a new certificate valid for an additional five years will be issued, referencing the previous certificate number. 
• TEC may request re-testing or re-evaluation of certified telecom equipment and levy the relevant fee if there is a need to verify compliance with the ERs.

TEC Groups 

TEC categorizes equipment based on the time required for testing and reviewing test reports. The equipment is classified into three categories: Group A, Group B and Group C. 

TEC Schemes 

Here are the types of certification schemes for notified telecom equipment: 

General Certification Scheme (GCS) 

In this scheme, applicants must provide compliance tests and corresponding test reports aligned with Essential Requirements (ERs) conducted by any designated Conformance Assessment Body (CAB). The General Certification Scheme (GCS) is applicable to Group A, Group B and Group C equipment. 

Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS) 

The Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS) is designed for applicants who submit a test-wise compliance sheet and a Self-Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for parameters covered by ERs. This scheme does not require applicants to submit or TEC to evaluate test reports from CAB. The Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS) is applicable to Group A equipment.

TEC labelling requirements include: 

• Place the logo on the equipment's body in a prominent location.
• Indicate equipment compliance with Essential Requirements (ERs) in its technical documentation.
• Use the certification e-label exclusively for mobile handsets and tablets.
• Adjust the size of the TEC logo while preserving the aspect ratio. 

Note: TEC has granted a six-month exemption from product labelling. 

For your reference, kindly check the detailed TEC labelling guidelines: View/Download

Modifications Without Re-Testing 

Alterations to certified equipment that do not impact compliance with approved Essential Requirements will be accepted without requiring re-testing, provided the equipment remains in proper working condition. Here are a few examples of such modifications: 

• Changes in the model number or name due to alterations in the equipment's size, shape, colour or enclosure.
• Modifications to the model number that do not affect the hardware design.
• Changes in ownership, organizational structure, or address of the company holding the certificate for the equipment.
• Inclusion of the name of a new Associated Model that was not originally part of the existing certificate but is already covered by the Bill of Materials (BoM) submitted. 

Modifications With Re-Testing 

Any adjustments to certified equipment that impact its alignment with approved Special Requirements will demand the issuance of a new certificate. Here are a few examples (though not limited to these) of such modifications: 

• Addition of a new network interface card.
• Alteration of the existing network interface card.
• Inclusion of a new Associated Model that was neither originally specified in the existing certificate nor covered by the Bill of Materials (BoM) for the certified model.
• Introduction of a new chassis, interface module, or unit within the family of already certified equipment. 

Note: The modified equipment can only be sold or used after a fresh certificate is issued by TEC. 

Changes to the software, such as major revisions, minor revisions, patches, bug fixes, or updates, do not inherently necessitate certificate modification. However, if such changes result in non-conformity or non-compliance with Essential Requirements (ERs) that the equipment previously adhered to, it is the responsibility of the OEM to assess this and apply for certificate modification if needed. 

Non-Compliance and Violations

If TEC identifies the sale, use, or impending sale of equipment that falls into one of the following categories: uncertified equipment, certified equipment with unauthorized modifications, or equipment with an expiring certification, the respective equipment must undergo the required certification within 180 days from the date of the violation notice.

Note: Failure to obtain certification for such telecommunications equipment within the specified period may result in TEC taking possession of all such equipment and arranging for their destruction.

• 1. What is TEC Certification, and which products does it apply to?
  TEC Certification, or Telecommunication Engineering Centre Certification, is a mandatory certification for certain telecommunications and IT products in India. It applies to various products, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, Wi-Fi equipment and more.
• 2. What are the benefits of obtaining TEC Certification for foreign manufacturers?
  TEC Certification offers several benefits, including regulatory compliance, access to the Indian market, consumer trust, a competitive advantage and streamlined entry into the Indian market.
• 3. What is BoM?
  A BoM, which stands for Bill of Material, is a document that provides information about the major modules and components of the model submitted for testing. If an application involves certifying multiple models, the BoM should encompass the details of all those models as well.