ICASA South Africa: type approval and NRCS LoA

Author Hugues Orgitello Last updated 27 May 2026 ~14 min read

Guide · ICASA, South Africa

South African certification of a connected electronic product rests, unlike a unified scheme such as European CE marking, on two distinct authorities: ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) for radio and telecommunications type approval under the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005, and NRCS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications) for the Letter of Authority (LoA) covering electrical safety, product EMC, and several risk categories (toys, plugs and sockets, household appliances). Technical references are published by SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) under the SANS prefix, local transpositions of IEC, CISPR, and ISO standards. For a European or American manufacturer, the classic trap is to assume that ICASA approval alone is enough, when a mains-powered device with a radio typically falls under both authorities.

Institutional map

The South African architecture is split between three distinct actors, with no strict overlap: ICASA, NRCS, and SABS. Understanding that split avoids the most costly scope errors.

ICASA, independent communications authority

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is the independent authority established by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act 13 of 2000 and empowered by the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (ECA) to regulate electronic communications, radio spectrum, and broadcasting. On the equipment side, ICASA administers type approval of any terminal or radio equipment intended for connection to the network or for emission in the South African spectrum. It publishes:

• the Type Approval Regulations (2010 version, amended), which define conformity routes and the file content,
• the ICASA Technical Specifications (TA-xxx series), which set requirements by equipment category (GSM terminals, Wi-Fi modules, LPWAN equipment, and others),
• the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations, which define band allocations and usage conditions (maximum power, duty cycle, antenna constraints).

ICASA does not operate its own test laboratory. It relies on test reports produced by accredited laboratories, South African or foreign, provided the accreditation is recognised (typically via ILAC-MRA).

NRCS, regulator of compulsory specifications

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications is a statutory regulator created by the NRCS Act 5 of 2008, sitting under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). Its scope covers products subject to Compulsory Specifications (commonly abbreviated VC), that is technical specifications made mandatory by publication in the Government Gazette for reasons of safety, health, or environmental protection.

NRCS operates the Letter of Authority (LoA) scheme: every product falling under a VC must, prior to placement on the market, obtain an LoA issued by NRCS at the end of a technical review of the file (test reports, declaration of conformity, identification of the registered supplier). The LoA is nominative to the registered supplier and to the model, and remains valid as long as the product and its file do not change substantially.

SABS, standards body

The South African Bureau of Standards is the national standards body and a member organisation of both ISO and IEC. It publishes South African National Standards (SANS), which are generally transpositions of IEC, CISPR, and ISO standards, sometimes with minor national modifications. SANS are the technical references used by ICASA (on the radio and product EMC side) and by NRCS (on the safety and EMC side within LoA scope).

SABS also operates:

• test laboratories accredited under SANAS (South African National Accreditation System),
• a voluntary certification scheme (the SABS mark), distinct from the mandatory ICASA/NRCS framework, attesting compliance with SANS beyond what regulation requires.

The role of SABS in the South African ecosystem is analogous to that of BSI in the United Kingdom or DIN in Germany: standards and testing, without regulatory authority of its own.

ICASA type approval routes

The Type Approval Regulations define two main routes, sharing the same end (authorisation to place on the market) but differing in the level of direct ICASA involvement.

Class A: supplier declaration of conformity

The Class A route is open to equipment categories considered lower interference risk, as defined by ICASA in the list annexed to the Type Approval Regulations. The mechanism:

• The registered (South African) supplier prepares a file comprising test reports, technical description, and a signed declaration of conformity.
• The file is lodged with ICASA for registration.
• ICASA does not issue an individual certificate: the registration authorises the category considered, provided the declaration is truthful.

This route is in practice reserved for well-bounded equipment (for example certain accessories without active emission, or terminals with very constrained use). Surveillance remains ICASA's, and the authority can request justifications or order withdrawal in case of defect.

Class B: full type approval with ICASA certificate

The Class B route is the full type approval procedure, applicable to the large majority of radio equipment and telecommunication terminals: Wi-Fi modules, Bluetooth, cellular modules (GSM, LTE, 5G), LPWAN equipment, fixed terminals, professional radiocommunication equipment.

The mechanism:

• The registered supplier files a complete dossier with ICASA: detailed test reports compliant with the applicable ICASA Technical Specifications, technical description of the product, functional schematic, identification of the manufacturer and local supplier, photos of the product and intended labelling.
• ICASA carries out a technical review of the file, may request additional tests or justifications, and ultimately issues an individual type approval certificate per model, with a TA-YYYY-NNNN number to appear on the product.
• The certificate remains valid as long as the product and its technical parameters do not change. A hardware or software modification affecting radio parameters (firmware adding a new band, antenna change, and so on) generally triggers a modification request or a new certificate.

Class A vs Class B at a glance

Criterion	Class A	Class B
Mechanism	Supplier declaration of conformity, ICASA registration	Full type approval with ICASA technical review
Individual ICASA certificate	No (registration acts as authorisation)	Yes (TA-YYYY-NNNN number per model)
Covered categories	Limited list annexed to Type Approval Regulations	Any radio equipment or terminal outside Class A
File	Test reports + signed DoC + technical description	Full dossier + photos + schematics + detailed tests
ICASA review	Administrative verification	Technical review, may request additional material
Typical equipment	Accessories without active emission, constrained terminals	Wi-Fi, BLE, cellular, LPWAN modules, radio terminals
Marking on product	Declaration reference + supplier identification	TA-YYYY-NNNN number

ICASA Technical Specifications: the TA series

The ICASA Technical Specifications, published as the TA-xxx series, set technical requirements by equipment category. They designate the applicable SANS, IEC, or ETSI standards, the parameters to measure, the authorised bands, and usage conditions. Typical examples of structure:

• TA for GSM and LTE terminals, by band and by 3GPP release.
• TA for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi equipment, designating EN 300 328 and EN 301 893 as admissible references.
• TA for sub-GHz short-range equipment, drawing largely on EN 300 220.
• TA for 5G NR equipment on bands n78 (3.5 GHz) and n258 (26 GHz mmWave).
• TA for maritime, aeronautical, or railway communication equipment, by reference to dedicated international standards.

Consulting the applicable TA is the first operational step: it determines which bands are open, which power levels are admitted, and which tests are mandatory for the file.

Radio bands: ITU Region 1 alignment, with local specifics

South African spectrum allocation follows ITU Region 1 in the main (the region grouping Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), with some local specifics. For the bands most used by connected devices:

• 2.4 GHz ISM band (2400 to 2483.5 MHz): open for Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee, Thread, with power and duty cycle conditions close to European ones. A product certified under EN 300 328 has a high probability of covering ICASA requirements on that band, subject to verification of exact parameters.
• 5 GHz band: a subset is open for Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, with DFS handling for radar bands. The exact subdivision sometimes differs from European choices; check ICASA conditions.
• Sub-GHz LPWAN bands: South Africa uses a band close to EU868 for LoRa and Sigfox, under power and duty cycle conditions set by ICASA. A module configured for US915 or AU915 cannot be commercialised as-is.
• 5G NR: South African operators deploy on n78 (3.5 GHz), the pivot band for 5G mid-band shared with Europe, and explore n258 (26 GHz mmWave) for high-throughput use cases. 5G terminals commercialised in South Africa must support these bands to function properly.

The exhaustive table of bands and conditions appears in the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations published by ICASA, complemented by applicable TAs.

NRCS and the Letter of Authority

The Letter of Authority is the document issued by NRCS attesting that a product falling under a Compulsory Specification complies with South African requirements. It is the prior authorisation to place on the market for regulated categories.

Categories typically regulated under an NRCS LoA

The exact list is set by Compulsory Specifications published in the Government Gazette and evolves over time. The categories commonly relevant for consumer and industrial electronics:

• Low voltage electrical equipment (mains-powered or connected to the network), with electrical safety requirements under SANS / IEC 60335, SANS / IEC 60950, or SANS / IEC 62368-1 depending on the category.
• Plugs and sockets in the South African format (SANS 164), which impose specific dimensions and mechanical requirements.
• Toys and articles intended for children, with mechanical, chemical, and electrical safety requirements.
• Household appliances: refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines, cooking equipment, and others.
• Lighting equipment under SANS / IEC 60598 and CISPR 15.
• Audio-video and information technology equipment connected to the mains.
• Product EMC for specific categories, under SANS / CISPR 32, CISPR 35, CISPR 11.
• Electrical personal protective equipment.

The exact scope is determined by consulting the Government Gazette and the lists published by NRCS. A product not falling under any Compulsory Specification does not need an LoA.

LoA procedure

The mechanism follows a technical review logic:

1. The registered South African supplier (importer, local manufacturer, or compliance representative) files the application with NRCS.
2. The file comprises: supplier identification, product identification, declaration of conformity, test reports from an accredited laboratory (South African SANAS or recognised ILAC-MRA), technical description, photos.
3. NRCS carries out a technical review and may request additional material.
4. The LoA is issued when the file is judged complete and compliant. It is nominative to the supplier and to the model.

Articulation with ICASA

For a product falling under both ICASA (because it integrates a radio or telecommunication terminal) and NRCS (because it falls under a VC, typically on electrical safety or product EMC), the two authorisations are independent but cumulative:

• ICASA issues type approval for the radio and telecommunications side,
• NRCS issues the LoA for the safety and product EMC side under VC.

A mains-powered IoT device with a Wi-Fi module is the textbook example: an ICASA Class B certificate is needed for the Wi-Fi module, and an NRCS LoA for electrical safety under SANS / IEC 62368-1 and for product EMC under SANS / CISPR 32.

SABS and SANS standards

South African National Standards are published by SABS and constitute the technical references of the whole framework. The nomenclature generally follows the international standard the SANS corresponds to:

• SANS 62368-1 transposes IEC 62368-1 on safety of audio-video and IT equipment.
• SANS 60335 transposes IEC 60335 on safety of household appliances.
• SANS 60598 transposes IEC 60598 on safety of luminaires.
• SANS CISPR 32 and SANS CISPR 35 mirror the CISPR family on EMC for multimedia equipment.
• SANS 164 defines the South African requirements for plugs and socket outlets.

A complete IEC file (for example a CB Scheme certificate via IECEE) can in general be transposed to the corresponding SANS without redoing the tests, provided the National Differences annexed to the SANS, where they exist, are covered. This is notably true for electrical safety and product EMC.

Structural comparison: ICASA + NRCS, CE, FCC

To situate the South African framework in the international landscape, comparison with European CE and American FCC is informative.

Criterion	ICASA + NRCS (South Africa)	CE (EU / EEA)	FCC (US)
Architecture	Two distinct authorities (ICASA radio, NRCS safety/product EMC)	A family of directives under a single CE mark	A federal FCC authority, safety via UL/CSA separately
Pivot statute, radio	Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005	Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU	47 CFR Part 15, Part 22, 24, 27
Pivot statute, safety / product EMC	NRCS Act 5 of 2008 + Compulsory Specifications	LVD 2014/35/EU + EMC 2014/30/EU	UL standards (voluntary but commercially required) + 47 CFR Part 15 for EMC
Radio authorisation mode	Class A (registered DoC) or Class B (ICASA certificate)	Self-declaration on module A, sometimes module B+C with notified body	TCB for intentional radiators, FCC authorisation
Safety / product EMC authorisation mode	NRCS LoA for VC categories	Self-declaration on harmonised standards	UL listing, voluntary but commercially required
Visual mark	TA-YYYY-NNNN number, NRCS LoA reference where applicable	"CE" logo	"FCC" mention + FCC ID for radio
Local representative	Required in practice (importer, compliance representative)	Authorised representative required for non-EU manufacturers	Importer of record + agent for service of process
Reference standards	SANS (transposing IEC, CISPR, ISO)	Harmonised EN (CISPR, ETSI, IEC)	ANSI C63.4, UL standards, FCC rules
Recognition of foreign tests	ILAC-MRA reports and CB Scheme generally admissible	CB Scheme and self-declaration both possible	Accredited lab reports, tightly regulated TCB
Market surveillance	ICASA, NRCS, customs inspections	National authorities (DGCCRF, BNetzA, and others)	FCC enforcement bureau, CPSC for safety

See CE marking, FCC, and RED for detail on the two major Western regimes, and EU + US dual certification for the combined test plan strategy when South Africa joins a multi-market matrix.

Typical process for an ICASA + NRCS application

For a European or American manufacturer starting from an existing CE or FCC file and targeting South Africa, the rational sequence:

1. Map the applicable scope: does the product emit in the spectrum (ICASA Class B as a rule) or fall under a VC published in the Government Gazette (NRCS LoA)? For a mains-powered IoT with radio, the answer is typically "both".
2. Designate a South African local representative (importer, appointed distributor, or compliance representative) who will carry both files.
3. Identify the applicable ICASA TA for the product by category (Wi-Fi, BLE, cellular, LPWAN), and the corresponding NRCS VC (electrical safety, product EMC, and so on).
4. Audit the existing file (CE, FCC) against ICASA and NRCS requirements. Identify tests already covered (Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz under EN 300 328, safety under IEC 62368-1) and those requiring completion (local bands, specific parameters).
5. Complete the missing tests with a SANAS-accredited or ILAC-MRA recognised laboratory.
6. Assemble the ICASA file: test reports, declaration of conformity, technical description, photos, functional schematic, local representative identification.
7. Assemble the NRCS file: safety and EMC test reports, declaration of conformity, registered supplier identification.
8. File the ICASA application (Class A or Class B per category) via the local representative.
9. File the NRCS LoA application in parallel when the product falls under a VC.
10. Receive the ICASA certificate (TA-YYYY-NNNN number) and the NRCS LoA.
11. Affix the markings on the product: ICASA TA number, NRCS LoA reference where applicable, local representative identification, English-language safety and radio labelling.
12. Maintain compliance over the lifecycle: monitor changes to ICASA TAs and NRCS VCs, update files on product modification or firmware updates affecting radio parameters.

See Certification timeline for the integration of this sequence into a global product plan with other markets.

Common pitfalls

A few errors recur in files from foreign manufacturers discovering the South African framework.

1. Assuming ICASA alone is enough. This is the most frequent trap. A mains-powered IoT with a radio almost always falls under both ICASA (radio) and NRCS (electrical safety, product EMC). Missing the NRCS LoA blocks market placement even when the ICASA certificate is valid.
2. Skipping the local representative. Neither ICASA nor NRCS accepts an application filed directly by a foreign manufacturer. An importer, an appointed distributor, or a compliance representative is required. That designation conditions the admissibility of the file.
3. Mis-declaring radio bands. South African allocation aligns mostly with ITU Region 1, but with local specifics. A declaration copied from a US (Region 2) or Japanese file on sub-GHz LPWAN bands will be rejected. Case-by-case verification in ICASA TAs and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations is mandatory.
4. Citing EN or IEC without the corresponding SANS. The ICASA declaration of conformity and the NRCS LoA application must cite the applicable SANS (for example SANS 62368-1, SANS CISPR 32), not only their international IEC or European equivalents. A file citing only EN 55032 without mentioning SANS CISPR 32 is formally incomplete.
5. Overlooking laboratory accreditation. Test reports produced abroad are generally admissible if they come from an ILAC-MRA recognised laboratory. A report from a non-accredited laboratory, or from the manufacturer's in-house lab, will be rejected at the technical review stage.
6. Underestimating the impact of a firmware update. An update opening a new band, modifying emission power, or changing DFS behaviour can invalidate the ICASA type approval. Change management must be contractually agreed with the local representative and traced in the file.
7. Incomplete marking on the product. The TA-YYYY-NNNN number must appear on the product, legibly and indelibly, or on the packaging and documentation when product size does not allow it. Marking confined to the carton without product-level marking is a frequent market surveillance finding.
8. Ignoring plug and socket specifics. For a mains-powered product shipped with its cord or power supply, the South African plug format (SANS 164) is a distinct requirement. A product shipped with a European plug (CEE 7/16, 7/4) or an American plug (NEMA 5-15) is in immediate non-conformity, even when the rest of the file is in order.

See also

• Africa: Egypt (NTRA), Nigeria (NCC), Kenya (CA)
• CITC and SASO: certification in Saudi Arabia
• TDRA (UAE) and SDPPI (Indonesia): radio approval
• GCC: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the G-Mark (GSO)
• India: BIS (CRS), TEC (MTCTE) and WPC (ETA) certifications

Working through this on a real product? AESTECHNO can audit your design and certification plan. Get in touch →

Key takeaways

• South African certification rests on two distinct authorities: ICASA for radio and telecommunications type approval under the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005, and NRCS for the Letter of Authority on categories under Compulsory Specifications (safety, product EMC, toys, plugs and sockets).
• Technical references are the SANS published by SABS, generally transpositions of IEC, CISPR, and ISO standards.
• ICASA offers two routes: Class A (supplier declaration of conformity, no individual certificate) and Class B (full type approval with TA-YYYY-NNNN number). Most radio modules fall under Class B.
• NRCS operates the LoA scheme, nominative to the registered supplier and to the model, on categories listed in the Government Gazette.
• Radio allocation follows ITU Region 1 in the main, with local specifics. 5G deployments use n78 (3.5 GHz) and n258 (26 GHz mmWave) in particular.
• A South African local representative is required in practice to file the applications and carry the documentary responsibility.
• ICASA and NRCS certificates are not transferable from a CE or FCC file, even when the underlying tests are largely reusable.
• The classic trap: assuming ICASA alone is enough, when a mains-powered device with a radio almost always falls under both authorities.

For a wider regulatory map, see CE marking, FCC, RED, PTCRB, EU + US dual certification, Certification timeline, and the Glossary for definitions.

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Sources & references

1. Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) , ICASA www.icasa.org.za/
2. National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) , NRCS, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition www.nrcs.org.za/
3. South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) , SABS www.sabs.co.za/
4. Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 , Government of South Africa www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-act
5. Type Approval Regulations and Technical Specifications , ICASA www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/type-approval-regulations-2010