Short Range Device Radio Regulations: Q1 2026 Regulatory Roundup
This blog was originally posted on 21st April, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
AUTHORED BY AARON GREEN, SENIOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT, COMPLIANCE & RISKS
Key Insight
The first quarter of 2026 marked a global shift toward modernizing radio regulations, driven largely by the outcomes of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23). Nations are increasingly expanding frequency allocations for 6 GHz and Ultra-Wideband technologies while streamlining market entry through electronic submission platforms and self-certification procedures.
Introduction
The first quarter of 2026 has proven to be an exceptionally active period for global radio regulations. As nations continue to integrate the outcomes of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23), we are seeing a worldwide push to modernize frequency allocation tables and streamline approval procedures.
This roundup reviews the shifts affecting short-range devices across multiple jurisdictions:
- Frequency Expansions: From the introduction of medical wireless systems in Cabo Verde to the expansion of 6 GHz band usage for Geofenced Variable Power (GVP) devices in the USA.
- Procedural Modernization: Algeria has established new electronic submission platforms for equipment homologation, while Japan is moving toward self-certification for automotive Short Range Devices (SRD) to accelerate market entry.
- Technical Refinements: Canada has released significant updates to its Radio Specification Standards (RSS), focusing on updated testing protocols and e-labelling.
Want a summary of the new and updated type approval requirements for radio frequency equipment in 2025 across twenty major jurisdictions? Check out our whitepaper!
Frequency Allocations
Republic of Cabo Verde: National Frequency Allocation Framework, Plan, 2026
The plan includes new technical specifications for short range devices, including:
- Inductive Applications: The 2026 plan adds specific field strength limits for inductive SRDs across various low-frequency bands (e.g., 9–148.5 kHz), often conditioned to 72 dBµA/m at 10m.
- Medical Applications: New specific mentions of medical wireless systems (SRD-Sistemas sem fios para aplicações médicas) are added in the 2026 edition across bands like 9–315 kHz and 30–37.5 MHz.
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB): The 2026 edition includes specific power limits and standards (e.g., ETSI EN 302 065) for UWB devices in the 6–8.5 GHz range and others.
The plan also introduces WAS/RLAN (Wi-Fi/Wireless Access) use in the 5.925 – 6.425 GHz band, limited to indoor environments with a maximum PIRE of 23 dBm, as well as expanded identification for wideband data transmission systems (including WiGig/IEEE 802.11ad) in the 57 – 71 GHz band with limits up to 40 dBm PIRE. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and RTTT have been allocated spectrum in the 5.8 GHz and 24 GHz ranges with detailed PFD and power constraints.
Belize: National Spectrum Allocation Plan, Draft Notice, March 2026
The 2026 update is primarily a transition to the outcomes of the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). This includes expanding frequency allocations for IMT applications and explicit recognition of ISM to facilitate the import documentation for non-telecom RF devices (e.g., medical monitors).
Canada: Proposed Revisions to the Radio Frequency Allocation Table, Consultation Document, March 2026
Canada (ISED) opened a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (the Canadian Table) to reflect the outcomes of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) and domestic requirements.
Approval Procedures
Algeria: Establishing the Conditions and Procedures for the Approval of Electronic Communications Equipment, Decree No. 26-97, 2026
This Decree establishes the official conditions and procedures for the homologation (type approval) of electronic communications equipment in Algeria. It defines homologation as the verification of technical characteristics against specific national and international standards.
Application and Testing Procedures:
- Submission: Applications must be submitted through a dedicated electronic platform and signed electronically or manually.
- Required Documentation: Applicants must provide administrative files (ID, commercial registry) and technical files (technical sheets, manufacturer declarations of conformity, and test reports from accredited laboratories).
- Sampling: An operational sample must be submitted within five working days of the application. For large equipment that cannot be moved, tests are conducted on-site within ten working days.
Approved equipment must feature an official label (or have it on the manual/packaging if the device is too small) before being placed on the market.
Bolivia: Telecommunications Products Subject to Homologation, List, 2026
Notably, the list does not include low-power or short-range devices. The following major product categories are included:
- Telephones: Includes smartphones, fixed wireless phones, and satellite phones.
- Television Broadcasting: Transmitters (VHF/UHF/TDT), digital decoders, and specialized TDT receivers.
- Optical Line Terminals (OLT).
- Sound Broadcasting: AM, FM, and shortwave transmitters.
- Earth Station & Satellite Equipment: VSAT/LEO terminals, satellite modems, LNB/BUC converters, and satellite gateways.
- Transceivers and Transmitters: Analog/digital mobile radios, radio links (microwave), and base stations.
- Radars and Radionavigation: Systems for aeronautical, maritime, meteorological, and defense surveillance, including radiobeacons.
- Data Network Equipment: Routers (wired/wireless), ONT (fiber optic terminals), and VoIP/IPTV gateways.
- Core and Operator Infrastructure: Aggregation switches, multiplexers (PDH/SDH/WDM), and Optical Line Terminals (OLT).
South Korea: Technical Standards for Unlicensed Radio Equipment, Notices No. 2026-9 and 2026-10
These amendments relax usage regulations for industrial and consumer wireless devices, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, devices for guiding visually impaired individuals, and TVWS (TV White Space) data communication devices. Notice 2026-9 sets power limits for equipment operating in the 5925–6425 MHz band at no more than 1 W, including antenna absolute gain, for use inside subway passenger cars and buildings. For equipment operating in the 6425–7125 MHz band, the maximum radiated power is limited to 500 mW, including antenna absolute gain. Notice 2026-10 is intended to support the development of new industrial infrastructure, stimulate relevant product markets, enhance user convenience (e.g., by promoting shared use of TV idle frequency bands), and facilitate the activation of TVWS frequency sharing.
Lebanon: Type Approval Regulation, Decision No. 5, March 2009 – Amendment – (on fees, radio classifications and label specifications) Decision No. 3/2026
The Decision revises the equipment classification table contained in Annex I of the Regulation. Notably, smartphones are added to Category 3 due to their inclusion of 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, eSIM, and IoT technologies. The classification also covers drones, wireless surveillance cameras, and VoIP devices.
Japan: Radio Act Enforcement Regulations Amendment on Wireless Power Transfer, Draft Ordinance, January 2026
This proposal seeks to update the requirements regarding 920 MHz band spatial transmission wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. The changes impact the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Radio Act, the Regulation for Radio Equipment, and the Ordinance on Technical Regulations Conformity Certification of Specified Radio Equipment.
The primary goal of these amendments is to improve installation flexibility and expand how these systems can be used.
Key proposed changes include:
- Outdoor Use: Technical standards are being established to allow these systems to be used outdoors.
- License Exemption: The system will be defined as a “specified low-power radio station,” which makes it a license-exempt category.
- Technical Standards: New regulations will define limits for radio channels and emissions (spurious and unwanted) to ensure safe operation.
Japan: Proposed Technical Standards for Self-certification of Automotive Radio SRD, Draft Ordinance March 2026
This amendment will accelerate the certification process for some specified radio equipment installed in automobiles by subjecting the equipment to the self-confirmation system. Covered equipment includes TPMS, RKE (UHF band), Automotive Radar, In-vehicle Detection Sensor, UWB and wireless LAN (2.4GHz / 5.2GHz / 5.6GHz / 6GHz (≦25mW)).
Canada: Draft Standard RSS-Gen Issue 6, General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus, Draft 4, February 2026
This edition replaces Issue 5 and introduces updated standards for testing and documentation. The most important changes are the following:
- Added requirements for calibration intervals and site validation using updated ANSI/USEMCSC C63 standards.
- Added section 3.5 clarifying licensing requirements and updated geolocation protocols.
- Streamlined requirements, including the ability to use QR codes and electronic labelling (e-labelling).
- Increased the unwanted emission measurement frequency range up to 750 GHz.
- Removed stand-alone receivers and passive RFID tags (now moved to RSS-310).
Canada: RSS-310, Issue 6, Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus – Category II Equipment, Draft Radio Specification Standard, February 2026
Radio Standards Specification RSS-310, issue 6, Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus: Category II Equipment, replaces RSS-310, issue 5, published in January 2020. Changes include:
- Removed the sections already specified in RSS-Gen.
- Added requirements for passive RFID tags, which were previously in RSS-Gen (section 3.2).
- Removed the exclusion from all ISED requirements for transmitters with input power of 6 nW or less and replaced with exemptions from the labelling, user manual, and test report requirements (section 3.6).
- Removed the exclusion from all ISED requirements for transmitters operating below 9 kHz and replaced with exemptions from the labelling, user manual, and test report requirements (section 3.7).
- Removed requirements for data modems (these are subject to ICES-003 and can also be subject to CS-03).
Hong Kong (China): Performance Specification for Radio Equipment Operating in the 920 – 925 MHz Band, Specification HKCA 1078, Issue 2, March 2026
HKCA 1078, sets out the technical and evaluation requirements for radio equipment operating in the 920 – 925 MHz band under section 32D of the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap 106). Issue 2 supersedes Issue 1 of December 2017.
The specification sets the following technical requirements:
- Compliance with 47 CFR 15.247 (USA) except as otherwise specified.
- Frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation required with at least 10 hopping frequencies.
- Maximum 20 dB bandwidth of 500 kHz per hopping channel; average time of occupancy on any frequency must not exceed 0.4 seconds within a 4-second period.
- Peak transmitter power not exceeding 1 W; e.i.r.p. not exceeding 4 W.
- Spurious emissions not exceeding 10 μW e.r.p. outside the fundamental frequency band.
USA: Geofenced Variable Power (GVP) Unlicensed Radio Devices to Operate in the 6 GHz Band (5.925-7.125 GHz), Final Rule, February 2026
This rule enables geofenced variable power (GVP) unlicensed devices to operate in the 6 GHz band (5.925-7.125 GHz). GVP devices will operate with significantly greater power than existing 6 GHz band unlicensed portable devices thereby providing for higher data rates and increased range. GVP devices will work in tandem with geofencing systems to prevent harmful interference to licensed services.
Specifically, the rule allows:
- Permit GVP unlicensed devices to operate in the U-NII-5 (5.925-6.425 GHz) and U-NII-7 (6.525- 6.875 GHz) portions of the 6 GHz band.
- The GVP devices will operate with up to 11 dBm/MHz PSD and 24 dBm EIRP.
- GVP devices will be restricted from operating in exclusion zones on certain frequencies as specified by a geofencing system in order to prevent harmful interference from occurring to microwave links that share the 6 GHz band.
Conclusion
In summary, the regulatory activity of Q1 2026 highlights a global trend toward spectrum liberalization and administrative efficiency. We are seeing a concerted effort to accommodate next-generation technologies, such as Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) in Japan and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications in Cabo Verde, by moving them into license-exempt categories.
Key takeaways from this quarter include:
- The 6 GHz Frontier: Multiple regions, including South Korea and the USA, are refining power limits and geofencing protocols to maximize the utility of the 5.925–7.125 GHz range.
- Harmonization: Efforts in Belize and Canada to align with international WRC-23 standards facilitate smoother import documentation and technical compliance for manufacturers.
- Operational Flexibility: The shift toward electronic labelling and simplified testing for low-power devices – as seen in the Canadian RSS updates – signals a move to reduce the “red tape” for innovators.
As we move into the remainder of 2026, these updates provide a roadmap for navigating the complexities of short-range radio equipment compliance in an increasingly connected world.
Stay Ahead Of Regulatory Changes in Wireless
Want to stay ahead of the latest regulatory developments in Wireless?
Accelerate your ability to achieve, maintain & expand market access for all products in global markets with C2P, your key to unlocking market access, trusted by more than 300 of the world’s leading brands. C2P is an enterprise SaaS platform providing everything you need in one place to achieve your business objectives by proving compliance in over 195 countries.
C2P is purpose-built to be tailored to your specific needs with comprehensive capabilities that enable enterprise-wide management of regulations, standards, requirements and evidence.
Add-on packages help accelerate market access through use-case-specific solutions, global regulatory content, a global team of subject matter experts and professional services.
- Accelerate time-to-market for products
- Reduce non-compliance risks that impact your ability to meet business goals and cause reputational damage
- Enable business continuity by digitizing your compliance process and building corporate memory
- Improve efficiency and enable your team to focus on business critical initiatives rather than manual tasks
- Save time with access to Compliance & Risks’ extensive Knowledge Partner network
Simplify Corporate Sustainability Compliance
Six months of research, done in 60 seconds. Cut through ESG chaos and act with clarity. Try C&R Sustainability Free.
