Guidelines on DJID/SDPPI Postel Certification requirements for low-power devices based on certification provisions in Indonesia
Low-power devices are devices that use wireless communication technology with relatively low transmission power. Products in this category can be found in various applications, such as IoT devices, wireless sensors, remote controls, Bluetooth devices, smart home devices, and Short Range Devices (SRD).
Although they have low transmission power, these devices still use radio frequencies to transmit or receive information. Therefore, the need for Postel or DJID Certification cannot be determined solely by the term “low power”, but needs to be assessed based on the wireless technology, frequency, transmission power, telecommunications functions, and technical specifications of the device.
The current certification requirements for telecommunications equipment and/or telecommunications devices refer to Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 concerning Certification of Telecommunications Equipment and/or Telecommunications Devices.
Are Low-Power Devices Required to Have Postel Certification?
Low-power devices are not automatically exempt from Postel Certification simply because they have low transmission power.
The certification requirement needs to be determined based on the technical characteristics of the device. Several aspects that need to be examined include:
- Operating frequency.
- Transmission power.
- Wireless technology used.
- Device type and function.
- Number of telecommunications features.
- RF module used.
- Device brand and type.
- Country where the device is manufactured.
The certification regulation provides different treatment for devices based on their technical characteristics. Therefore, assessment before importation or marketing is important to ensure whether the product requires certification and which technical standards apply.
What Does Transmission Power Below 10 mW Mean?
One important provision in Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 concerns other equipment and/or devices with telecommunications features using transmission power below 10 mW.
For devices using transmission power below 10 mW and having only one identical telecommunications feature, the regulation provides the possibility for one certificate to apply to more than one variant when the specified requirements are fulfilled.
This means that the 10 mW threshold is one of the important parameters when assessing low-power devices.
However, transmission power below 10 mW does not mean that the device is automatically exempt from Postel Certification. The provisions concerning variant grouping and certification must still be assessed based on the overall characteristics of the device.
Low-Power Devices and SRD
Low-power devices are often associated with the Short Range Device or SRD category. Under the provisions for radio frequency spectrum use based on class licensing, SRD covers various devices with short-range communication characteristics and specific power levels.
Some technologies that may fall within the SRD group include Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, UWB, LR-WPAN, certain devices with transmission power below 10 mW, and other technologies that meet the applicable technical requirements.
Therefore, devices using SRD technology need to be assessed based on their frequency and technical parameters before determining their certification requirements.
Low-Power Devices with Bluetooth
Bluetooth is one of the wireless technologies commonly used in low-power devices.
Examples may include:
a. Bluetooth speakers.
b. Bluetooth headsets.
c. Smart sensors.
d. Smart home devices.
e. Bluetooth toys.
f. IoT devices.
g. Wireless controllers.
Although Bluetooth may operate with relatively low power, the device still needs to be assessed against the applicable certification requirements.
Information regarding the Bluetooth module used is also important because it can help determine the technical characteristics of the device.
Low-Power Devices with WiFi
In addition to Bluetooth, low-power devices may also use WiFi.
Examples include IoT sensors, smart home devices, smart lamps, smart plugs, certain cameras, and other devices connected to WiFi networks.
WiFi devices need to be assessed based on the wireless standard used, operating frequency, bandwidth, transmission power, antenna, and module configuration.
Devices using WiFi also cannot automatically be considered low-power devices exempt from certification simply because their transmission power is relatively low.
Low-Power Remote Control Devices
Remote controls are examples of devices that often use low transmission power.
Communication occurs between the transmitter in the remote controller and the receiver in the controlled device. Products using such systems can be found in remote control toys, wireless controllers, certain household devices, and various other products.
For assessment purposes, the transmitter and receiver specifications, operating frequency, transmission power, modulation, antenna, and communication type need to be examined.
Examples of Low-Power Devices That Need Assessment
Some examples of products that may use low-power technology include:
- Bluetooth devices.
- Wireless sensors.
- Smart home devices.
- IoT devices.
- Remote controls.
- Wireless controllers.
- RFID devices.
- NFC devices.
- UWB devices.
- Other SRD devices.
The list does not mean that all products automatically have the same certification treatment. Each product still needs to be assessed based on its technical specifications and telecommunications features.
Documents Required for Low-Power Device Postel Assessment
For an initial assessment, product owners should prepare the following documents and technical information:
- Product photos.
- Product label photos.
- Brand and model or type.
- Product datasheet.
- Wireless module datasheet.
- Operating frequency.
- Transmission power.
- Antenna specification.
- Wireless technology or standard used.
- RF test report, if available.
- User manual, if available.
- Country of manufacture.
The more complete the available technical information, the easier it is to assess the certification and testing requirements.
Is a Wireless Module with Existing Certification Sufficient?
Not necessarily.
Using a wireless module that already has certification does not automatically mean that the final product is exempt from certification requirements.
An assessment is still required to determine how the module is implemented in the final product. Several parameters need to be reviewed, including module configuration, antenna, transmission power, frequency, and telecommunications features used.
Because certification relates to the type of telecommunications equipment or device, the final product must still be considered.
Can One Certificate Cover Several Low-Power Device Variants?
Under certain conditions, one certificate may be used for more than one variant.
Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 provides that for other equipment and/or devices with telecommunications features using transmission power below 10 mW and only one identical telecommunications feature, one certificate may apply to more than one variant if the specified requirements are fulfilled.
Therefore, if a company has several low-power device variants, the brand, type, module, telecommunications features, transmission power, and technical characteristics of each product should first be assessed.
Low-Power Device Postel Certification Process
The certification process can begin with an assessment of the device’s characteristics.
The general stages include:
- Collecting product information and photos.
- Reviewing wireless technology.
- Reviewing operating frequency.
- Reviewing transmission power.
- Reviewing the wireless module.
- Determining the applicable technical standards.
- Determining testing requirements.
- Preparing certification documents.
- Conducting testing if required.
- Submitting the certification application.
- Issuing the certificate after the requirements are fulfilled.
An initial assessment is important because devices with the same form and function may use different wireless technologies and RF parameters.
Validity Period of Postel Certification for Low-Power Devices
Under Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024, certificates do not have a validity period. However, there are provisions concerning the period for manufacturing, assembling, or importing equipment and/or devices for trade or use.
Such activities may be carried out for a maximum of three years from the date the certificate is issued. After that period expires, a new certificate based on testing is required.
Postel Labeling on Low-Power Devices
Certified devices must also comply with labeling requirements.
The certification label under Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024 includes information such as the certificate number, PLG ID, QR Code, and warning sign according to the applicable requirements.
The label placement must be considered so that the information remains readable and complies with the applicable requirements.
Postel Certification Costs for Low-Power Devices
Postel Certification costs cannot be determined solely based on the term “low power”.
The cost may be affected by assessment requirements, testing, certification submission, and applicable PNBP.
Therefore, if there are several low-power devices with different models or wireless modules, an assessment should first be conducted to determine the certification requirements for each product.
Importance of Assessment Before Importing Low-Power Devices
Assessment before importation is important to ensure that the product meets the applicable requirements.
Errors in identifying wireless technology, frequency, or transmission power can lead to incorrect determination of technical standards and certification requirements.
For an initial assessment, companies can prepare:
a. Product photos.
b. Brand and model.
c. Product datasheet.
d. Wireless module datasheet.
e. Operating frequency.
f. Transmission power.
g. Antenna specification.
h. Country of manufacture information.
With this information, DJID/SDPPI Postel Certification requirements can be analyzed based on the technical characteristics of the device.
Conclusion
Postel requirements for low-power devices are not determined solely by low transmission power. Wireless technology, frequency, transmission power, telecommunications features, RF modules, and device configuration are important factors in determining certification requirements.
Devices with transmission power below 10 mW have specific provisions under Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation Number 3 of 2024, including the possibility of using one certificate for more than one variant when the specified requirements are fulfilled.
Therefore, before importing or marketing low-power devices in Indonesia, an assessment should first be conducted to ensure the required DJID/SDPPI Postel Certification, technical standards, documents, and testing.
Contact Us
Biruni Consulting assists with DJID/SDPPI assessment and certification for low-power devices and various wireless products that will be imported or marketed in Indonesia.
Our services include:
- Assessment of DJID/SDPPI certification requirements.
- Bluetooth module assessment.
- RF specification review.
- Frequency and transmission power analysis.
- Technical document review.
- Certification document preparation.
- Testing coordination where required.
- DJID/SDPPI Certification assistance.
If you have a low-power device, you can prepare product photos, brand, model, datasheet, RF specifications, and wireless module datasheet for an initial assessment of the Postel Certification requirements.
