Frequently Asked Questions
on Certification and Type-approval of Telecommunications Equipment

1. Are all kinds of telecommunications equipment required to apply for certification or type-approval?

Certification of telecommunications equipment is divided into two parts, namely Voluntary Certification Scheme (VCS) and Compulsory Certification Scheme (CCS). Certification of equipment under VCS is voluntary while certification of equipment under CCS is mandatory. For details of the certification requirement and equipment classification, please refer to the Information Note OFTA I 421 "Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification (HKTEC) Scheme" .

2. How to apply for type-approval of radio equipment?

You should approach one of the Local Certification Bodies or Foreign Certification Bodies, who will advise you the concerned application procedures in details. For general information about the type-approval process, please refer to the Information Note OFTA I 401 "How to Apply for Type-Approval or Type-Acceptance of Radio Equipment" .

3. How to apply for certification of customer premises equipment?

You should approach one of the Local Certification Bodies or Foreign Certification Bodies, who will advise you the concerned application procedures in details. For general information about the certification process for customer premises equipment, please refer to the Information Note OFTA I 412 "How to Apply for Certification of Wireline Customer Premises Equipment to be Connected to the Public Telecommunications Networks in Hong Kong" .

4. How much is the certification fee and how long is the processing time?

The certification fees and processing time are set by the Local Certification Bodies and Foreign Certification Bodies individually. Please approach them directly for the detailed information.

5. Is there any labelling requirement for telecommunications equipment?

Manufacturers, suppliers and dealers are allowed to affix a label prescribed by the Telecommunications Authority to equipment certified by the Local Certification Bodies and Foreign Certification Bodies. For details, please refer to Standardisation Guide HKTA 3211 "Standardisation Guide for Labelling of Telecommunications Equipment" .

6. How to obtain the information note, technical specification and application form?

The information note and technical specification can be download from OFTA's homepage at "www.ofta.gov.hk". Hard copy is also available upon written request to OFTA. For the application form, please approach one of the Local Certification Bodies or Foreign Certification Bodies.

7. Who are the recognised testing/certification agencies (RTAs) for conducting evaluation test of telecommunications equipment?

The TA recognises competent entities to perform evaluation of telecommunications equipment. For details of RTA, please refer to the Information Note OFTA I 411 "Recognized Testing/Certification Agency (RTA) for Evaluation of Telecommunications Equipment" .

8. Will test reports prepared by equipment manufacturers or certificates issued by overseas administrations be recognised for the certification applications?

Test reports prepared by equipment manufacturers will not be recognised, unless the manufacturer meets the requirements of RTA as specified in the Information Note OFTA I 411 "Recognized Testing/Certification Agency (RTA) for Evaluation of Telecommunications Equipment" . A certificate issued by other administration may be recognised on condition that the equipment is certified to comply with a specification equivalent to the relevant Hong Kong's technical specification, and there is a corresponding test report to support the certification. For details, please refer to the Information Note OFTA I 421 "Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification (HKTEC) Scheme" .

9. How to obtain additional information?

Additional information may be obtained from:

Senior Telecommunications Engineer,
Standards Section,
Office of the Telecommunications Authority,
29/F, Wu Chung House,
213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai,
Hong Kong.

Tel: +852 2961 6388
Fax: +852 2838 5004
E-mail: