Argentina. The National Communications Entity, ENACOM, simplified and modernized the process through which permits are issued to market telecommunications equipment in Argentina.
The objective is to provide consumers with the freedom to choose state-of-the-art products, reliable and compatible with current operating conditions, in order to guarantee the integrity and quality of telecommunications networks and the radio spectrum.
The new procedure leaves behind regulations from 30 years ago and allows, among other things, that all the latest generation devices are suitable to be launched in Argentina at the same time as in the main markets of the world, thanks to the fact that it speeds up times, simplifies the processing and improves the verification of the products.
The permit for the commercialization of equipment, commonly called "homologation", is granted by the State through ENACOM, after verifying that they comply with a necessary minimum of regulatory, technical and safety requirements, which vary according to the type of product.
Some examples of homologated equipment are cell phones, wireless devices (headphones, smart watches, speakers, keyboards, mice, camcorders), IoT (Internet of Things) devices, handies, routers and Wi-Fi access points, mobile phone bases, telephone exchanges and telephones, and all telecommunications equipment that makes connectivity possible through the use of the radio spectrum.
The importance of approval lies in providing consumers with the freedom to choose safe products, eliminating technical obstacles that prevent their normal circulation in the market, avoiding unfair competition, ensuring the interoperability of equipment for the effective provision of telecommunications services and protecting authorized networks from interference.
It should be noted that the demand for registrations has increased significantly in recent years due to the emergence of new technologies and new services, and the increasing incorporation of telecommunications interfaces in mass-use products. S
however, the procedure in force until now was from the eighties, had scarce resources and required multiple tasks on the part of ENACOM, which had to carry out the analysis of applications, attention to queries, as well as the accreditation of laboratories and their controls, in addition to standardization tasks.
The new process increases the opportunity for new investments and jobs in the sector, encouraging the participation of industry professionals, incorporating new laboratories, accrediting certifiers, auditors, etc. In addition, the predictability of the times involved in the new registration process allows applicants for approval to optimize the planning of the launch of their products.
To meet these goals, ENACOM moves to a system based on conformity and for this purpose approved three regulations: the new Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Activities and Materials (RAMATEL), the Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Material Certification Agencies and the new Regulation of the Registry of Telecommunications Materials Testing Laboratories; at the same time it created the Registry of Telecommunications Material Certification Agencies.
Specifically, the current regulations eliminate the obligation to renew registrations, which previously had to be done every three years; reduces enrollment by adding "product family" for similar equipment; accepts technical/administrative analyses by recognized Certification Agencies; it includes new tools or updates to those already used in product verifications; it incorporates market surveillance together with controls and inspections and also establishes collaboration with the Argentine Accreditation Agency (OAA).
