The Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications has new draft rules on the standards, conformity assessment and certification of telecoms equipment. The draft rules are intended to improve security, interoperability and the quality of telecoms services. Feedback from stakeholders has been invited within 30 days of the release of the draft rules.
The rules will replace the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.
However, the proposed rules will not replace the terms and conditions of existing standards, conformity assessment, specifications, as well as requirements for essential matters, interface, security assurance, and testing.
Under the proposed rules, stakeholders and operators must comply with stricter compliance requirements for their operations.
Proposed changes in the draft rules are:
(1) The Telecommunication Engineering Centre and the National Centre for Communication Security are the authorities that can change or review rules, standards and conformity measures; establish guidelines for laboratories to become conformity assessment bodies and issue conformity certificates;
(2) Operators must ensure that the validity of their product’s conformity certificate is prominently displayed;
(3) Exemptions from a conformity assessment for research, development, demonstration, testing, or personal use exist, provided it meets the requirements of the law;
(4) Penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, including fines, and the seizure and destruction of non-compliant equipment; and
(5) A dedicated digital portal for all compliance requirements, with changes and other updates.
The draft rules will be applicable to telecoms equipment, including original equipment manufacturers, authorised Indian representatives, importers, distributors, sellers, authorised entities, licensees and users.
