Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has updated two complementary Radio Standards Specifications that support the technical compliance framework for radio apparatus in Canada. The Canada RSS standards update affects RSS-Gen and RSS-310, introducing changes related to testing, labelling, certification, equipment modifications and Category II licence-exempt devices.
RSS-Gen establishes the general technical requirements, measurement methods, administrative provisions and labelling rules applicable to licensed and licence-exempt radio apparatus. It covers both Category I equipment, which requires ISED certification, and Category II equipment, which is exempt from certification.
RSS-310 complements this framework by establishing requirements for certain licence-exempt Category II devices, including stand-alone receivers, passive RFID tags, underground radios and specific very low-power transmitters.
Canada RSS Standards: Key RSS-Gen Changes
The updated RSS-Gen extends the upper frequency limit for unwanted emissions measurements to 750 GHz where applicable. It also updates site-validation and equipment-calibration references using the latest applicable ANSI/USEMCSC C63 standards.
Additionally, new provisions address on-site and in situ measurements. The document also clarifies how radiated emissions measurement results may be extrapolated.
More Flexible Electronic Labelling
Manufacturers may now use QR codes as electronic compliance labels. However, the QR code must directly display the required regulatory information. It cannot simply redirect the user to an external website.
For devices whose largest dimension is 2.5 cm or less, the compliance label may appear in the user manual and on the packaging without prior approval from ISED.
Geolocation-Based Compliance Controls
New requirements apply to equipment incorporating geolocation capabilities. These devices must automatically configure themselves to comply with Canadian regulatory requirements.
Moreover, they must not begin network operations or transmit until their presence within Canada has been confirmed.
Certification and Equipment Modifications
RSS-Gen provides clearer guidance for determining when a modification creates a new equipment model that requires new certification. This clarification covers changes involving internal circuitry, firmware or software, antennas and external power amplifiers.
The standard also clarifies that equipment certification and radio licensing are separate obligations. Unless an exemption applies, radio apparatus, including receivers, may require a radio licence regardless of its certification status.
Key Changes Introduced in RSS-310 Issue 6
RSS-310 has been reorganized to align more closely with RSS-Gen and reduce duplicated requirements. Administrative provisions concerning labels, user manuals and test-report references now rely on the corresponding requirements established in RSS-Gen.
Requirements for stand-alone receivers and passive RFID tags have also moved from RSS-Gen into RSS-310.
Meanwhile, the previous broad exemption for transmitters operating below 9 kHz or with an input power of 6 nW or less has been removed. These devices are now exempt only from labelling, user-manual and test-report requirements. They remain subject to the applicable operational and technical provisions.
The mandatory user-manual notice for underground radio equipment has also been revised. Therefore, manufacturers of affected equipment must update the information supplied with their products.
Finally, data-modem requirements have been removed from RSS-310. These products are now addressed under ICES-003 and, where applicable, CS-03.
One-Year Transition Period
ISED provides a one-year transition period following publication of the final versions of RSS-Gen and RSS-310. During this period, manufacturers may demonstrate compliance using either the previous issues or the updated versions.
After the transition period ends, new certification applications and compliance assessments must use the updated standards exclusively.
Manufacturers should review product labels, manuals, testing procedures, technical documentation and existing equipment configurations to determine whether the Canada RSS standards changes affect their compliance strategy.
For assistance understanding evolving radio-equipment requirements and monitoring wireless regulatory developments, explore Entirety’s Regulatory Intelligence Service.
Impact Assesment
- Technical Standards?
Yes - Type Approval & Market Access? Yes
- Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance? Yes
- Spectrum Management? Yes
