Market access requirements and Type Approval certificate for wireless Access Point

EXTENDMAX – An Access Point (also known as a wireless access point device or WiFi transceiver) is a common device used in Wireless LAN (also known as WLAN or RLAN) connects to a wired router, or switch via an ethernet cable, and projects a WiFi signal to a designated area like office room or house. Currently, popular Access Point brands in the Vietnam market includes ASUS, Cisco, Aruba, Linksys, Xtreme, Unifi, Xiaomi, Tenda, TP-Link.... Access Point is a product with radio transceiver function, on the list of equipment required to be certified and announced at the Department of Telecommunications in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications in Circular 02/2022/TT-BTTTT (or the circular will replace information) this in the future). Market access requirements for exporting or importing Access Point to Vietnam includes the steps of product quality inspection registration procedures, testing a typical sample, applying for a certificate of conformity (ICT type approval certificate), and making a self-assessment of conformity (declaration of conformity) for imported products, affix ICT conformity mark (ICT Mark) before being sold to the Vietnam domestic market. In some cases, the wireless access point  has built-in VPN security encryption function or IP security function (IPS), the importer must also apply for a Civil Cryptographic Items trading license and Civil Cryptography Product import license for importing. A typical example of Access Point that is subject to a civil cryptography license is Cisco's Meraki MR series.

1. How to classify WiFi Access Points

There are many ways to classify Access Points such as:

Access Point clasification by features

Standalone Access Point: A Standalone Access Point provides the same functionality in a wireless network that a switch or hub provides in a wired network. It provides connection between different wireless devices (phones, laptops, desktop computers with WiFi transceivers)... It receives information data from the connected device and forwards it to the targeted device.

Multifunction Access Point: A multifunction WiFi access point is a combination of two or more devices. In this combination, one or more additional devices are merged with the access point to provide additional functions along with the existing functionality of the access point. The typical multifunction access point integrates the functions of the modem, the wireless router that the ISP uses to provide the Internet connection.

Controlled Access Point: The Controled Access Point acts as a client of the Wireless LAN Controller. Technically, a controlled access point is called a Lightweight Access Point (LWAP). LWAP does not make any transition decisions. When it receives a frame from the connected device, instead of forwarding it to the destination device, it forwards the frame to the WLC. WLC, based on the security configuration, makes the decision whether received frames should be forwarded or dropped. If a frame needs to be forwarded, it sends the frame to that LWAP where the target device is connected. That LWAP then sends this frame to the targeted device.

Access Point clasification by antenna type

Access Point with Detachable Antenna: This kind of Access Point use detachable antenna with quantity of 2 antennae, 3 antennae, 4 antennae, even up to 6 antennae. Access Point using removable antennas usually have large WiFi transmission capacity, capable of penetrating walls or transmitting farther than those using integrated antennae.

Access Point with integrated antenna: The type of wireless access point that uses an integrated antenna usually has a round shape or rectangle shape, you cannot see its antenna because it is integrated directly into the circuit board of the product. This type of Access Point usually has a highly aesthetic appearance and is suitable for ceiling mounting or areas with aesthetic requirements.

2. Brief market access requirements, procedures, Type Approval certificate

a Procedures applicable to imported wireless access point

Import procedures according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications

(1) Apply for product quality inspection registration process for wireless access point

(2) Submit the product quality inspection registration form to the customs authority

(3) Complete customs clearance for the wireless access point and taking the goods to the warehouse

(4) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(5)  Apply for Certificate of Conformity for wireless access point

(6) Submit Self-assessment Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) to VNTA

(7) Putting ICT conformity mark (ICT label) on the wireless access point or its packaging box before being circulated to the market

In case the importer already has the certificate of conformity and the necessary test results, the importer can carry out the SDoC process and submit Type Approval certificate to VNTA and complete the product quality inspection registration process at no time.

b Procedures applicable to locally manufactured wireless access point:

Procedures are carried out according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications

(1) Product testing according to applicable technical regulations

(2) Apply for Certificate of Conformity for wireless access point

(3) Apply for Declaration of Conformity (DoC) certificate issued by the VNTA

(4) Putting ICT conformity mark (ICT label) on the wireless access point or its packaging box before being circulated to the market

3. Technical regulations applicable to wireless access point.

Wireless access point are regulated by the followings Vietnam regulations:

Circular 02/2022/TT-BTTTT stipulating the list of products and goods subject to regulation conformity certification and/or regulation conformity announcement (list of group 2) goods within the scope of responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications

Circular 15/2018/TT-BTTTT and Decree 74/2018/ND-CP stipulating procedures for state quality inspection for imported goods

Circular 10/2020/TT-BTTTT stipulating the method of regulation conformity certification and announcement of conformity of products managed by the Ministry of Information and Communications

Circular 08/2021/TT-BTTTT stipulates the list of equipment exempted from frequency license (to compare the operating frequency and transmit power of the device, especially the RFID reading feature of the code scanner. Wireless access point is only allowed to use frequencies within the permitted range according maximum transmit power as below:

• 2.4GHz band: 2400 ~ 2483.5 MHz / 200mW EIRP
• 5GHz band: 5150 ~ 5850 MHz / maximum 1000mW (depends on technical specification and conditions)

National technical regulations: The applied national technical regulations will be based on the wireless transceiver technologies that the wireless access point integrates. Typical technical regulations applicable to wireless access point are as follows:

Radio frequency standards:

- QCVN 54:2020/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 2.4GHz)

- QCVN 65:2021/BTTTT (RF for WiFi 5GHz)

Radio frequency EMC standards:

- QCVN 112:2017/BTTTT (RF EMC for WiFi)

4. Testing and in-country test laboratory designated by Vietnam MIC

For standards on RF radio transceivers and EMC compatibility, applicant can conduct testing and testing of equipment at domestic testing laboratories designated by the Vietnam Ministry of Information and Communications or one of the foreign laboratories in the US, Korea, Canada, Singapore (only these 4 countries) recognized by the Ministry of Information and Communications under MRA agreements for applicable standard. Normally, in-country testing process will take 1-2 weeks for wireless access point.

5. Prepare a dossier of Certificate of Conformity for wireless access point

The set of application documents for certification of conformity forwireless access point composed of the below:

• ICT Type Approval application form
• Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) of applicant.
• Technical specifications of the product.
• Product photos including product labels.
• Testing reports issued by MIC designated local labs or oversea labs recognized by MIC under MRA
• ISO 9001 certificate of the factory or the shipping documents (according to applicable certification system)
• Some other forms prepared by ExtendMax for the customers to sign (and stamp)

Learn more about ICT certification systems on our general guides for ICT Type Approval

6. Type Approval certification bodies designated by Vietnam MIC

Currently, the only certification body designated by the Vietnam MIC is the Telecom Metrology and Quality Center - a subsidiary of the VNTA. Applicant can submit the application documents to one of the following addresses: :

→ Telecom Metrology and Quality Center in Hanoi (VNTA building)

→ Branch of Telecom Metrology and Quality Center in Da Nang

→ Branch of Telecom Metrology and Quality Center in Ho Chi Minh City

Telecom Metrology and Quality Center will review and evaluate the applicant's certification dossier and issue a Type Approval certificate if the dossier is complete and consistent with the regulations of the MIC, VNTA.

The process of verifying documents and issuing the Type Approval certificate normally takes 2 weeks.

7. Declaration of Conformity process for wireless access point

Based on the issued Certificate of Regulation Conformity, the Enterprise must continue to carry out the procedures for Announcement of Regulation Conformity at the Department of Telecommunication - Ministry of Information and Communications.

a Procedure for Declaration of Conformity for imported wireless access point:

The applicant (importer) prepares a dossier of declaration of conformity (self-assessment declaration of conformity) for the consignment, including:

(1) Self-assessment declaration of conformity form according to Decree 74/2018/ND-CP

(2) A copy of the certificate of registration for quality inspection of the consignment

(3) Registered ICT mark (with CODE) of the importer for the first time or when having a change in ICT mark.

(4) Product techinical specifications document (datasheet, specifications, user manual)

(5) Type Approval certificate of the product (together with LOA issued by manufacturer if TAC is held by manufacturer)

For imported products, the procedures for declaration of conformity shall be completed as soon as the VNTA receives the above-listed dossiers.

b Procedures for declaration of conformity for domestically produced wireless access point:

The enterprise prepares a set of dossiers of declaration of conformity for products according to regulations, including:

(1) Form for Declaration of Conformity according to Circular 30/2011/TT-BTTTT

(2) Conformity self-assessment form according to Decree 74/2018/ND-CP

(3) Registered ICT mark (with CODE) of the importer for the first time or when having a change in ICT mark.

(4) Product techinical specifications document (datasheet, specifications, user manual)

(5) Type Approval certificate of the product issued by MIC designated Certification Body

For domestically produced products, the VNTA receives the dossier, verify the dossier and issues a "Notice of receipt of the Declaration of Conformity" with a validity period of 3 years to the applicant (only local manufacturer can be applicant for this process).

Applicant applying for Declaration of Conformity for the first time will need to apply for an ICT CODE code and register a its own ICT mark (ICT label) to the VNTA.

The above steps are all market access requirements for importing, manufacturing and trading wireless access point in a comprehensive manner in compliance with the provisions of law and sub-law documents on radio equipment, telecommunications, and information technology according to regulations of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

8. How can ExtendMax help you in the market access requirements?

With many years of experience in consulting market access requirements and type approval certification for wireless access point for the leading manufacturers and leading brands such as ASUS, Cisco, Linksys... we can support you with all market access requirements and import procedures including:

→ Evaluate the technical specification of the product, determine whether the products meets MIC requirements on operational conditions (frequency, Tx power) and allowed to be imported to Vietnam or not.

→ Evaluate documents, certificates of quality management system ISO 9001, determine the most suitable and lowest cost Type Approval certification system

→ Consulting and supporting the initial import procedures for customs clearance such as registration for performance testing, product quality inspection registration process for imported wireless access point.

→ Acting as local representative for applicant in carrying out testing, certification, and conformity announcement procedures for wireless access point.

→ Apply for ICT CODE for the importer, register importer's ICT mark or apply for ICT Mark modification upon request.

→ Assess the technical characteristics of the product, determine whether the exporting products are required to apply for a civil cryptographic items trading license or not.

→ In case the Access Point is assessed as not a civil cryptographic product, the importing company should obtain CCP Exemption Letter issued by the National Authority of Cryptography and Information Security (NACIS) issued to ensure smooth customs clearance

→ Preliminary assessment of the current conditions of the importer and compare to the conditions for CCP licensing, advising the enterprise on remedial measures in case the importer has not yet met the conditions

→ Receive information from customer, advise and support customer to prepare documents including technical plans, business plans, security plans and other documents in the fastest time as required request of the authorities

→ Representing customer in carrying out testing and certification procedures for civil cryptography product Type Approval certificate for Access Point having IPS or VPN functions

→ Consulting and supporting other legal procedures related to server import procedures such as applying for other licenses (if any)

→ In case businesses need to import in small quantities, or receive goods without payment from parent companies or foreign partners, ExtendMax is capable and qualified to provide good import solutions. Or simply we provide Importer of Record IOR service to solve your worries and problems.

9. Contact information for market access requirements consulting

EXTENDMAX VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED

Hotline: +84 915 836 555 | Hanoi: +84 24 6666 3066

Email: consultant@extendmax.vn | phuong.tran@extendmax.vn

HO: ExtendMax Villa, C01-L18 An Vuong, Duong Noi urban area, Duong Noi ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Test laboratory: BT02-21, An Hung urban area, To Huu street, La Khe ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi City, Vietnam

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10.   Preview of Vietnam MIC Type Approval certificate for Wireless Access Points

11.   Preview of Civil Cryptography Import license for IPS or VPN Access Point