Updated Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Standard for Canada

The Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada which also acts as the radio spectrum regulatory body has released an updated version of its General Electromagnetic Compatibility Standard. Interference-Causing Equipment Standard ICES-Gen, issue 2, General Requirements for Compliance of Interference-Causing Equipment, published on February 23, 2024 replaces ICES-Gen, issue 1, which was initially published in July 2018 and amended in February 2021.

While some of the items added to the latest issue are editorial and minor clarifications, here is a summary of the main changes:

1. Section 2: Definitions

   1. There are clarifications to the definition of "residential environment". Issue 1 merely described this as an environment where people live in such as a house, apartment, or Recreational Vehicle. Issue 2 clarifies that a hotel room could be considered an apartment for the purposes of the standard. It also adds further clarification as to associated structures and distances from a house that may also be considered part of a house.

   2. Added definitions for

      1. "Composite equipment"- Equipment that incorporates two or more units of other equipment),

      2. "Host equipment” - Final interference-causing equipment which incorporates one or more radio apparatus modules and/or subassemblies,

      3. "Multifunction equipment” - Equipment that is capable of multiple functions or modes of operation,

      4. and "supplier” - Person or entity located in Canada that is involved in manufacture, importation, distribution, lease, offering for sale, or sale of interference-causing equipment.

   3. corrected the definition for “standard test voltage” to be within ± 5% of the value stated by the manufacturer to be the rated (nominal) voltage (from ± 2%).
      

2. Section 3: General Requirements - Specifies the transition period to be one-year from publication of Issue 2 after which compliance to Issue 1 for products still being placed on the market or being newly introduced to the market will no longer be accepted.
   

3. Updated requirements for host equipment are contained in the following sections:

   1. Section 3.6 - Updates to the certification requirements for host equipment

   2. Section 4.1 - Updates to the technical requirements for host equipment

   3. Section 6.3 - Updates to the labeling requirements for host equipment (more on this in item 11)
      

4. Added Section 4.3 specifying requirements for accessories that include active electronic circuitry or components capable of generating electromagnetic emissions. An accessory is subject to the standard applicable to the main product, regardless of whether it is supplied with the equipment or marketed separately.
   

5. Added section 4.5 specifying calibration requirements for measurement equipment.
   

6. Clarifications to the requirements for DC- and AC- operated equipment in section 4.7 and added section 4.8 specifying requirements for external power supplies.
   

7. Added subsection 6.2 clarifying requirements for the user manual.
   

8. Updates to the labeling details to include specific requirements for QR code labels in section 6.3.1.
   

9. Clarified procedure for obtaining approval to place the label in the user manual by specifying detailed equipment size requirements in section 6.3.2.
   

10. Section 6.3.3 simplifies the ISED label such that a reference to the specific ICES standard or standards is no longer required.
    

11. Label requirements for host equipment is specified in section 6.3.4. Issue 1 did not include a specific wording for "host equipment" label requirements.
    

12. Requirements for electronic labelling are clarified in annex B such that the accessibility and user manual details are contained in the same section.

As the changes to RSS-Gen are high level general requirements, device manufacturers need not be concerned with making technical assessments or design changes. However, the general requirements are part of the overall regulatory framework and affect product compliance, so care should be taken to review Issue 2 and make sure product being placed on the Canadian market conform to the requirements of the updated standard.

Lagwaves LLC provides clarifications of regulatory standards and can help guide product manufacturers and assure that there is no costly interruption to product sales due to non-compliance.