Guide to Postel/DJID Certification for RC toys based on frequency, transmission power, and wireless technology in Indonesia.
RC or remote control toys are types of toys controlled wirelessly using a remote controller. Examples include RC cars, boats, airplanes, helicopters, and various other toys that use radio communication.
Because they use wireless systems, RC toys need to be assessed from the telecommunications regulatory perspective before being imported or marketed in Indonesia. The assessment is required to determine whether the device is a telecommunications equipment or device that must meet technical standards and obtain certification. Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 regulates the certification of telecommunications equipment and/or devices manufactured, assembled, or imported into Indonesia for trade and/or use.
Are RC Toys Required to Have Postel Certification?
The requirement for Postel Certification cannot be determined solely based on the product being categorized as an “RC toy.” It needs to be assessed based on the wireless system and technical specifications used.
Several aspects need to be reviewed, including:
- Operating frequency.
- Transmission power or transmit power.
- Wireless technology.
- Type of transmitter and receiver.
- RF module used.
- Antenna type.
- Bluetooth or WiFi, if used.
- Other technical specifications.
Therefore, an assessment should be conducted before importation to determine the applicable requirements.
Wireless System in RC Toys
In general, an RC toy system consists of a remote controller as the transmitter and a toy unit as the receiver.
The remote controller sends commands through radio signals. The signal is then received by the receiver in the toy to control motors, servos, or other components.
Because the system involves radio signal transmission and reception, RF specifications are an important part of the Postel assessment.
RC Toy Frequency
Frequency is one of the important factors in determining wireless device requirements.
RC toys may use various radio communication systems depending on the manufacturer’s design. Some products use dedicated RF systems for remote control, while others may use Bluetooth, WiFi, or other wireless technologies.
Therefore, the frequency used needs to be reviewed and compared with the applicable technical requirements before determining the certification process.
Transmission Power of RC Toys
In addition to frequency, transmission power or transmit power also needs to be assessed.
Low-power RC toys do not automatically mean that they are exempt from certification. The requirements still need to be determined based on the combination of transmission power, frequency, technology, and device configuration.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 provides specific provisions for devices with telecommunications features using transmission power below 10 mW and only one identical telecommunications feature. Under certain conditions, one certificate may apply to more than one variant when the specified requirements are fulfilled.
RC Toys with Bluetooth
Some RC toys use Bluetooth to communicate between the remote controller, smartphone, and toy unit.
If Bluetooth is used, the module specifications need to be reviewed, including:
- Module brand and type.
- Bluetooth version.
- Frequency.
- Transmit power.
- Antenna.
- Module datasheet.
An already certified Bluetooth module does not automatically mean that the final product does not require assessment. The use of the module in the final product still needs to be reviewed based on its configuration and applicable requirements.
RC Toys with WiFi
Certain RC toys use WiFi, particularly products with cameras, applications, video streaming, or wireless control features.
For these products, WiFi specifications such as frequency band, transmit power, bandwidth, and module type need to be reviewed.
WiFi is a technology that needs to be assessed under the applicable radio frequency spectrum requirements. Therefore, the actual product specifications are an important basis for the assessment.
Is the Remote Controller Included in the Assessment?
The remote controller is an important part of the assessment because it generally functions as the transmitter.
The information that needs to be prepared includes:
- Remote controller brand and model.
- Operating frequency.
- Transmit power.
- RF module.
- Antenna type.
- Transmitter datasheet.
- Number of channels, if available.
If the remote controller and toy unit use different technologies, both need to be reviewed to determine the overall product configuration.
Documents Required for RC Toy Postel Assessment
For an initial assessment, several documents can be prepared, including:
- RC toy product photos.
- Remote controller photos.
- Product brand.
- Product model or type.
- Product datasheet.
- Remote controller datasheet.
- RF module datasheet.
- Frequency specifications.
- Transmit power specifications.
- Antenna information.
- Product manual, if available.
- Country of origin or manufacturing country.
These documents help identify the wireless technology and determine the applicable certification requirements.
Is a Certified RF Module Sufficient?
Not necessarily.
Certification of an RF module does not automatically replace assessment of the final product. It is necessary to review how the module is installed and used in the RC toy.
Several aspects need to be considered, including the module type, antenna, RF configuration, transmission power, and use of the module in the final product.
Therefore, the module certificate may serve as supporting documentation, but the final product still needs to be reviewed based on its technical configuration.
Can Several RC Toy Models Use One Certificate?
The possibility of using one certificate for several variants needs to be reviewed based on the applicable requirements and the similarity of the products’ technical characteristics.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 provides specific provisions for devices with transmission power below 10 mW and one identical telecommunications feature. If the requirements are fulfilled, one certificate may apply to more than one variant.
Therefore, several RC toy models should not automatically be assumed to use one certificate. The brand, type, module, frequency, transmission power, and device configuration need to be reviewed first.
RC Toy Postel Certification Process
In general, the process can begin with an assessment of the product specifications.
The stages include:
- Collecting product documents and information.
- Reviewing RF specifications.
- Identifying the frequency.
- Reviewing transmit power.
- Reviewing the transmitter and receiver.
- Reviewing Bluetooth or WiFi modules, if used.
- Determining the applicable technical standards.
- Testing if required.
- Preparing certification documents.
- Submitting the application through the certification issuance process.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 provides that compliance with technical standards is demonstrated through testing, with testing conducted by testing laboratories designated according to the applicable requirements.
Validity of RC Toy Postel Certification
Telecommunications equipment and/or device certificates have provisions that need to be considered by product owners.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 regulates certification as well as provisions concerning the continued manufacture, assembly, importation, and use of devices after certification has been issued.
Therefore, companies need to ensure the status and applicable requirements of the certificate before importing or marketing the product.
Postel Label on RC Toys
RC toys that have obtained certification also need to comply with labeling requirements.
The certification label relates to the certificate number, PLG ID, QR Code, and warning sign. The label format is regulated in the annex to Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024.
The label placement also needs to be considered so that the information remains readable and can be used to identify the device.
RC Toy Postel Certification Costs
The cost of Postel Certification for RC toys cannot be determined solely based on the type of toy.
The cost may be affected by the technology used, number of types or variants, testing requirements, technical documents, and the certification process required.
Therefore, a cost estimate should be provided after the product specifications have been reviewed.
Importance of Assessment Before Importing RC Toys
Assessment before importation can help companies determine the requirements that need to be fulfilled from the beginning.
This is important because two products that are both called RC toys may not use the same wireless system. The frequency, transmission power, RF module, transmitter, receiver, and technology used may differ.
Through an initial assessment, companies can determine:
- Whether the product requires DJID/SDPPI Certification.
- The wireless technology used.
- Frequency and transmission power.
- Testing requirements.
- Documents that need to be prepared.
- Labeling requirements.
- The possibility of submitting several variants.
- The estimated certification process.
Assessment becomes increasingly important when products will be imported in large quantities or marketed commercially.
Difference Between Postel Certification and Toy Certification
Postel Certification and toy certification are two different regulatory aspects.
Postel/DJID Certification concerns telecommunications aspects and devices with certain communication or transmission functions. Meanwhile, toy certification concerns the requirements applicable to toy products.
Therefore, one RC toy may have more than one regulatory obligation because, in addition to being a toy, the product also uses wireless technology.
Companies should conduct an assessment of all regulatory aspects before the product is imported and marketed in Indonesia.
Conclusion
Postel Certification for RC toys needs to be assessed based on the wireless technology used, rather than simply based on the product category.
Frequency, transmission power, transmitter, receiver, RF module, Bluetooth, WiFi, and product configuration are important aspects in determining certification requirements.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 is the main basis for the certification of telecommunications equipment and/or devices and has replaced Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 16 of 2018.
By conducting an assessment before importation, companies can determine the certification, document, testing, and labeling requirements that need to be fulfilled for RC toys marketed in Indonesia.
Contact Us
Biruni Consulting assists with DJID/SDPPI assessment and certification for RC toys and various wireless products that will be imported or marketed in Indonesia.
Our services include:
- DJID/SDPPI certification requirement assessment.
- RC toy transmitter and receiver assessment.
- RF specification review.
- Frequency and transmission power analysis.
- Technical document and datasheet review.
- Certification document preparation.
- Testing coordination where required.
- DJID/SDPPI Certification assistance.
If you have an RC toy, you can prepare product photos, brand, model, datasheet, RF specifications, and wireless module datasheet for an initial assessment of the Postel Certification requirements.
