C ERTIFICATION

Russian Federation introduced the mandatory certification (examination for compliance) of telecommunications equipment in 1992 in response to growing imports of low quality and incompatible products. The system was designed to ensure the equipment’s interoperability with Russian interconnected telecommunications network (ITN) [39].

According to the new communications law it is mandatory that the technical parameters and characteristics of all equipment used in public communication network (including wireless segment) comply with the Russian National Telecommunication Network specifications, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, and other requirements as it is stated by the various regulations. The Certification Department of the Ministry of Communications must approve any equipment used in Russian network infrastructure. Two forms of

46 One of four licenses was granted through auction.

conformity assessment of equipment to the requirements of technical regulations are possible:

mandatory certification in the system Elektrosvyaz or adoption of the compliance declaration.

The list of communication equipment that is subject to the mandatory certification was approved in second quarter of 2004. Besides, Ministry of Communications is responsible for the forming of certification system for communication means, the definition of regulations for certification realization in this system and the determination of the accreditation rules for testing centres and laboratories. Until the new by-laws will be passed the old ones are in force. The certification scheme defined by old normative base is described below and is shown in the Figure 32.

Communication equipment certification in Russia is conducted in centres or laboratories accredited by Ministry of Communications. Those centres test equipment for its compliance with specific standards. There are about 40 testing centres and laboratories in Russia. Centres are independent private enterprises forming association known as an Electrosvyaz system.

The foreign test data shall be recognized according to the international agreements of Russian Federation (Ministry of Communication has bilateral certification agreement on locally produced equipment only with Belarus).

To start the certification process, an equipment manufacturer or reseller has to submit equipment certification application for preliminary technical analysis to the Certification Department. For wireless equipment certification, applicant must first obtain the GKRCh decision on radio frequency band allocation.

The Ministry reviews the application within fixed three months period and instructs the accredited centre or laboratory to test the equipment. Applicant can specify its preferences and request Certification Department to assign the centre of its choice to run the tests. Once the centre is assigned, Ministry cannot interfere in the test process [39]. Certification laboratory tests the equipment “on type” and also for quality assurance. This involves testing in the field and at the manufacturer’s site.

Ministry of Communications sets no time limits for certification. Testing can take from several weeks to several months depending on the equipment’s complexity. Time is determined by the contract between applicant and the assigned testing laboratory. If the product needs to be adapted to meet Russian standards, it may greatly delay the testing process [39].

Another point of negotiations between the testing centre and the applicant is the cost of testing. Ministry of Communications does not charge for equipment certification, and testing fees are paid to the certification centres directly. The Certification Department regulates only the methodology of price calculation, which is based on average monthly wage and the number of experts performing the tests.

Upon completion of all appropriate equipment testing procedures, the centre submits the documents (including test data) to Ministry of Communications and to the client. Test centres are responsible for completeness of the submitted information and for objectivity during the process [39].

Figure 32. Certification of Wireless Equipment Applicant submits to Certification

− A document from a manufacturer confirming vendor’s authority on sales of manufacturer’s products (if an applicant is not a manufacturer but vendor reseller).

Certification Department of Ministry of

Communications:

− Accredits testing centres and laboratories;

− Reviews applications (up to 30 days);

− Assigns testing centre;

− Makes the decision about certificate issue or

− Submits results of testing to Ministry of Communications and to the applicant.

Signing of agreement

The decision to grant a compliance certificate is made within three months by Certification Department of Ministry of Communications based on test results. Certificate is valid for a period of one or three years. Ministry of Communications also deals with certificate extension, suspension, and reinstatement and maintains a state register a granted certificates.

Gosstandart is the other agency involved in certification of wireless equipment. While Electrosvyaz testing procedures are focused on product functionality and compatibility with existing infrastructure, Gosstandart’s primary considers products’ electrical safety and compliance with Russian consumer protection laws (GOST R certification). The GOST R certificate declares the conformity of the equipment to Russian safety requirements [39].

Gosstandart carries out accreditation of certification bodies and testing laboratories to perform testing within GOST R system. Most of Electrosvyaz system centres are also accredited for Gosstandart certification.

The second way of conformity assessment is adoption of a compliance declaration. In this case applicant adopts self-declaration of compliance based both on its own proofs (the technical documents, results of its own tests and measurements, and other documents conforming the compliance of the wireless communication equipment to the established specifications) and the evidence provided with help of an accredited test laboratory (centre).

The manufacturer may adopt a compliance declaration for communications equipment which is not subject to mandatory certification.

Ministry of Communications has to register the completed declaration during three days.

Registration fee is RUB 1000 (about US$ 34.5). The declaration is valid from the date of it registration during the fixed period in this declaration.