REC-LAB(E) — Procedure for the Recognition of Designated Foreign Testing Laboratories by Industry Canada

Issue 4, April 2008
Spectrum Management and Telecommunications
Procedures for Conformity Assessment Bodies

REC-LAB(E) - Procedure for the Recognition of Designated Foreign Testing Laboratories by Industry Canada
(PDF, 68 KB, 9 pages)

Foreword

This document describes the criteria and procedure used by Industry Canada to recognize foreign testing laboratories that have been designated by a Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA) partner to test to Canadian requirements for apparatus.

This document will be reviewed and amended from time to time to reflect necessary changes in procedural requirements. The Department encourages comments and suggestions that will enhance the quality of the document. They may be forwarded to:

Director General
Spectrum Engineering Branch
Industry Canada
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0C8

Issued under the authority
of the Minister of Industry

Robert W. McCaughern

Director General
Spectrum Engineering Branch

Contents

1. Purpose
2. Definitions
3. Related Documents
4. General Information
5. Criteria for Recognition
6. Procedure
7. Disclosure of Information
8. Disclaimer
9. Retaining Recognition
10. Suspension or Withdrawal of Recognition

• Appendix I — Application for the Recogniton of a Foreign Testing Laboratory by Industry Canada

1. Purpose

1.1  This document describes the criteria and procedure for recognition by Industry Canada of foreign testing laboratories that have been designated by a Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA) partner to test to Canadian requirements for telecommunications apparatus.

2. Definitions

Department refers to Industry Canada.

Bureau refers to the Department's Certification and Engineering Bureau.

Conformity Assessment Body is a body engaged in the performance of procedures for determining whether the relevant requirements in technical regulations or standards are fulfilled.

Certification Body (CB) is a body which conducts certification.

Designation is the nomination by a Designated Authority of a Conformity Assessment Body as competent to perform conformity assessment activities under the terms of an agreement or arrangement.

Designating Authority is a body with authority to designate, monitor, suspend designation, or withdraw designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies under its jurisdiction.

Recognition is the process by which the Department accepts a designated foreign testing laboratory as competent to test Canadian requirements.

Testing laboratory is a laboratory that performs tests.

3. Related Documents

The following documents can be found on Industry Canada's Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

DES-LAB(E)
Procedure for Designation and Recognition of Canadian Testing Laboratories by Industry Canada;

CS-03
Terminal Equipment — Technical Specifications List — Parts I to VIII, prescribe network protection and other mandatory technical requirements for terminal equipment;

CB-02
Recognition Criteria, and Administrative and Operational Requirements Applicable to Certification Bodies for the Certification of Radio Apparatus to Industry Canada's Standards and Specifications; this document contains the requirements and conditions which will be evaluated by the Department before recognizing a CB;

 
Category I Equipment Standards List; and Interference-Causing Equipment Standards;

RSS-Gen
General Requirements and Information for the Certification of Radiocommunication Equipment.

4. General Information

4.1  Information on this procedure can be obtained from:

Deputy Director
Telecommunications Engineering and Certification (DSI)
Industry Canada
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0C8
Telephone: 613-990-4526
Facsimile: 613-957-8845
E-mail: telecom.reg@ic.gc.ca

4.2   The Department's documents and other information are also available at the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

5. Criteria for Recognition

5.1  Terminal equipment testing laboratories: In order to be recognized by the Department, testing laboratories shall:

1. be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 17025 — General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories or equivalent; and
2. be designated by an MRA partner. The scope of designation shall include a list of Canadian standards, specifications, or parts thereof, for which recognition is sought. This list shall be included in the scope of accreditation of the testing laboratory.

5.2  Radio apparatus testing laboratories: These laboratories do not have to be recognized to produce test reports of radio apparatus to a certification body or to Industry Canada for the purpose of certification. However, if an Open Area Test Site (OATS) is used during the testing, the following requirements apply:

(a) Testing laboratories shall file OATS documentation in accordance with the Department's Radio Standard Specification GEN (RSS-Gen): General Requirements and Information for the Certification of Radiocommunication Equipment. Detailed information on OATS filings can be found at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ceb-bhst.nsf/eng/h_tt00016.html.

OATS documentation shall be forwarded to the Bureau at the following address:

Certification and Engineering Bureau
Industry Canada
Attention: Chief of Certification and
Engineering Bureau
P.O. Box 11490, Station H
3701 Carling Avenue
Building 94
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K2H 8S2

Telephone: 613-990-4218
Facsimile: 613-990-5009
E-mail: certification.bureau@ic.gc.ca
Website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/certification

(b) Test reports will be accepted for certification purpose only after the OATS documentation has been filed with the Bureau.

5.3  Interference-Causing Equipment testing laboratories: Canadian regulations for electro magnetic compatibility (EMC) are covered in the Interference-Causing Equipment Standards (ICES) and refer only to unintentional radiators or radio frequency energy (RF). Testing can be performed by manufacturers or by an outside testing laboratory. No Industry Canada recognition is required in either case.

6. Procedure

6.1  The designating Authority shall submit, through the appropriate channels and to the address indicated in Section 4.1, the following documents:

1. a signed application (see Appendix I);
2. a cover letter; and
3. a copy of the scope or accreditation.

6.2  The recognition application will be evaluated by the Department on a first-come, first-served basis.

6.3  Upon recognition, Industry Canada will issue a confirmation letter to the foreign Designating Authority. The confirmation letter will state the standards or specifications for which recognition has been granted. The testing laboratory will be added to the list of recognized testing laboratories available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

6.4  If the Department requires more information to make a decision, it will contact the foreign Designating Authority.

7. Disclosure of Information

7.1  The Department will not disclose the status of requests for recognition to any third party until the recognition process is completed.

8. Disclaimer

8.1  The recognition of a testing laboratory by Industry Canada does not imply or otherwise suggest approval of a product or that the recognized testing laboratory is an agent or representative of the Department.

8.2  The Department does not accept any responsibility for the effects or consequences of services provided by the recognized testing laboratory on users of such services.

9. Retaining Recognition

9.1  Designating Authorities shall notify the Department of any changes that may affect the continued ability of recognized foreign testing laboratories to carry out the activities for which they were recognized. That includes notifying the Department of any changes in:

• business address and contact information;
• accreditation scope and status; and/or
• subsequent reassessments.

9.2  During operation as a recognized testing laboratory, the testing laboratory shall continue to meet the requirements of this document and shall maintain its accreditation status. The testing laboratory shall provide evidence of its accreditation status and scope upon request by the Department.

9.3  The testing laboratory will normally be recognized for the duration of its designation.

9.4  A recognized testing laboratory shall not advertise its recognition status for certification activities that are outside of the scope of its recognition.

10. Suspension or Withdrawal of Recognition

10.1  When a recognized testing laboratory is the subject of an investigation for non-compliance with this procedure, a recognition suspension may be issued upon consultation with its Designating Authority. The Designating Authority shall require the testing laboratory to take immediate corrective action to the Department's satisfaction. Where it is found that a recognized testing laboratory does not comply with the requirements of Section 5 of this procedure, the recognition may be withdrawn. Such action will take place only after full consultation between the Department and the Designating Authority.

10.2  If a testing laboratory's designation is suspended or withdrawn by the Designating Authority, the recognition will also be suspended or withdrawn by the Department.

10.3  A testing laboratory whose recognition has been suspended or withdrawn will be removed from the list of recognized testing laboratories referred to in Section 6.3.

10.4  A testing laboratory whose recognition has been suspended or withdrawn shall stop advertising its recognition.

Appendix I — Application for the Recogniton of a Foreign Testing Laboratory by Industry Canada

Name of Accreditation Organization:

Address:
Website:

ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation

or equivalent, specify:

Date of Issue of Accreditation:
Date of Expiry of Accreditation:

 
 

Please forward this request to the following address: