EXTENDMAX - On July 08, 2024, the Vietnam MIC announced the sencond draft of the QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT on radio frequency radiation safety for public consultation. The technical standard QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT is a "safety" standard, setting limits on the absorption of radio waves from handheld and body-worn wireless devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. This is the second standard by the MIC on safety limits for electromagnetic exposure, following the QCVN 8:2022/BTTTT standard for mobile base stations.
What is Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a metric that measures the rate at which energy is absorbed by the head, body, or limbs of a mobile device user when they are exposed to a radio frequency electromagnetic field. The SAR value is expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg). This index helps in assessing the exposure levels of electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile devices to ensure they are within safety standards.
Why is it necessary to issue QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), electromagnetic waves can heat human body tissues and affect brain activity, cognitive functions, sleep, heart rhythm, and blood pressure in volunteers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified some cases where electromagnetic frequency fields may adversely affect the human body.
Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electromagnetic-fields-and-public-health-mobile-phones
Currently, most advanced countries around the world, including the Schengen area, the United States, Japan, Australia, and many APAC countries, have implemented technical standards for the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to protect users when using handheld radio-frequency devices close to the ear, such as mobile phones and walkie-talkies.
While regulations on the safety management of wireless devices before they are marketed or used have been in place for a long time, Vietnam does not currently have mandatory SAR management regulations.
Scope of application of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT
QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT applies to wireless devices with power greater than 20 mW and used within 200 mm of the human body. The HS codes of the products are specified as follows:
| No. | Name of goods according to QCVN | HS code | Goods and product description |
| 1 | Land mobile terminal | 8517.13.00 8517.14.00 |
Terrestrial mobile phones use E-UTRA (4G) technology and may integrate one or more of the following functions: - W-CDMA FDD (3G) mobile communication terminal; - GSM mobile communication terminal (2G and 2.5G); - Fifth generation mobile communication terminal (5G); - Broadband data transmission operates in the 2.4 GHz band; - 5 GHz radio access; - Short-range radio transmission and reception. |
| 2 | Fifth-generation (5G) mobile terminal | 8517.13.00 8517.14.00 | Terrestrial mobile phones using fifth generation (5G) mobile communication technology with or without integrating one or more of the following functions: - Terrestrial mobile communication terminal; - Broadband data transmission operates in the 2.4 GHz band; - 5 GHz radio access; - Short-range radio transmission and reception. |
| 3 | DECT cordless telephone devices (only applicable to the handsets) | 8517.11.00 | Wired telephone set including a base station (Base Station) with one or several cordless telephones (handsets) using DECT technology. The handsets connect to the fixed network through the base station, which is a fixed telephone connecting calls to the fixed network. |
| 4 | Laptops (Laptop and portable computer) | 8471.30.20 | Automatic data processing machines of the portable type, weighing not more than 10 kg, comprising at least a central data processing unit, a keyboard, and a screen, with or without integrating one or more functions: broadband data transmission operating in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band radio access, terrestrial mobile communication terminal, fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication terminal, short-range radio transmission. |
| 5 | Tablets (Tablet) | 8471.30.90 | Automatic data processing machines of the portable type, weighing not more than 10 kg, comprising at least a central data processing unit, a keyboard, and a screen (excluding laptops, notebooks, subnotebooks), with or without integrating one or more functions: terrestrial mobile communication terminal, fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication terminal, broadband data transmission operating in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band radio access, short-range radio transmission. |
Summary of the Main Contents of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT
In addition to mobile phones, which were the main subjects of SAR management in the first draft of QCVN for public consultation, the scope has now been expanded to include other devices such as tablets and laptops under the Circular on the list of products and goods that may pose a safety risk within the management scope of the Ministry of Information and Communications. The main contents of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT through the two draft versions are summarized in the table below:
| No. | Content | Regulations in the First Draft | Revisions and Supplements in the Second Draft | Notes |
| 1 | Draft QCVN Title | National technical regulation on SAR for mobile phones | National technical regulation on SAR for handheld and body-worn wireless devices | Adjusted to fit the expanded management scope compared to before |
| 2 | Management Subjects | Mobile phones | Handheld and body-worn wireless devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, laptops). Products not listed with HS codes in Appendix A of QCVN may be subject to this Technical Regulation under the Circular on the list of products and goods that may pose a safety risk within the management scope of the Ministry of Information and Communications | To fit the scope of devices specified in the referenced standard and harmonize with other countries |
| 3 | SAR Limits | - SAR limit for head and body: 1.6 W/kg (based on 1g) - SAR limit for limbs: 4 W/kg - Whole-body SAR limit: 0.08 W/kg | - SAR limit for head and body: 2 W/kg (based on 10g) - SAR limit for limbs: 4 W/kg - No whole-body SAR limit | To align with ICNIRP guidelines and the standards applied by most countries |
| 4 | Measurement Frequency Range | 4 MHz to 10 GHz | 30 MHz to 6 GHz | To align with ICNIRP guidelines and the standards applied by most countries |
| 5 | Measurement Distance | Applied according to the actual usage distance published by the manufacturer; if not published, the measurement distance is 0 mm | - For mobile phones: Certification of conformity - For other devices: Declaration of conformity | To harmonize with regulations of other countries (Europe, USA) and fit the actual usage of devices |
| 6 | Management Form | Declaration of conformity |
Effective date of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT
Based on the Draft Circular issued, QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT is expected to take effect from July 01, 2025 and mandatory for certification from July 01, 2026. Imported and domestically produced mobile phones must meet regulations on specific absorption levels according to QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT before circulating on the market.
Download and give comment to QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT: https://mic.gov.vn/van-ban-phap-luat/du-thao/2200.htm
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Important update from MIC: List of products need ICT Conformity Certification, enforcing from 01-July-2024
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