Global Market Access Guide for Connected Products: Navigate International Certification Requirements and Regulatory Frameworks.
Accelerate worldwide launches for wireless & connected products.
MiCOM Labs streamlines multi-region testing, certification, and compliance management, so your engineering and regulatory teams can ship globally faster and with fewer surprises.
Expanding into Global Markets Without Delays
You already know you need approvals. What you need now is a partner who can sequence certifications, prevent late-stage redesigns, and coordinate filings across the FCC/ISED, EU RED/UKCA, Japan MIC, Australia ACMA, and other global authorities, all in parallel.
MiCOM Labs is a TCB (USA), FCB (Canada), EU Notified Body, UK Approved Body, with ISO/IEC 17025 & 17065 accreditations.
Our proprietary platforms, MiTest® for automated, real-time test data, MiCMS® for tracking certification progress, and MiPassport®, a documentation repository for certificate/document control, compress timelines and de-risk global launches.
control, compress timelines and de-risk global launches.
Table A: MiCOM Labs Regulatory Appointments (ISO/IEC 17065 Capabilities)
| Region | Acronym | Full Name | MiCOM Labs Appointment |
| USA | FCC | Federal Communications Commission | TCB – Telecommunication Certification Body |
| Canada | ISED | Innovation, Science and Economic Development | FCB – Foreign Certification Body |
| European Union | EU or CE | Europe Union (OJ) | NB – Notified Body |
| UK | UKCA | United Kingdom Conformity Assessment | CA – Conformity Assessment Body |
| Japan | MIC | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications | RCB – Registered Certification Body |
Table B: Acronyms & Technical Terms
| Acronym | Full Name | Description / Context |
| DFS | Dynamic Frequency Selection | Technical domain |
| EMC | Electromagnetic Compatibility | Technical domain |
| EME | Electromagnetic Energy | Technical domain |
| EN | European Norm | EU technical standards |
| ERP | Effective Radiated Power | Technical domain |
| MiCMS® | MiCOM Labs Certification Management System | Internal platform |
| MiTest® | MiCOM Labs proprietary automated test system | Internal platform |
| RED | Radio Equipment Directive | Europe Radio Directive (Law) |
| REL | Radio Equipment List | Canadian ISED publication |
| RF | Radio Frequency | Technical domain |
| SAR | Specific Absorption Rate | Technical domain |
Global Certification Requirements by Region
| Region | Scheme/Authority | Mark/Listing | Typical Domains | Notes that Affect Your Plan |
| North America | FCC via TCB (US), ISED via FCB (CA) | FCC ID (US), ISED # on REL (CA) | RF, EMC, RF Exposure, SAR | Two paths: SDoC (for unintentional radiators) or Certification (for intentional radiators). In Canada, certified devices must be published on the REL; labeling & bilingual statements are required. |
| Europe | EU RED (Radio Equipment Directive) | CE mark | Safety, EMC, RF Spectrum, SAR, Cybersecurity | Notified Body required if harmonized standards don’t fully apply. RED Article 3.3 cybersecurity applies as of August 1, 2025. |
| United Kingdom | UK Radio Equipment Regulations | UKCA (CE also recognized) | Safety, EMC, SAR, RF Spectrum | UKCA marking required; accepted alongside CE until 31 Dec 2027. |
| Japan | MIC Radio Law via RCB | Giteki mark | RF Spectrum | Certification under MIC via RCBs (e.g., TELEC). Conformity with Technical Regulations required; antenna limits must be validated. |
| Australia/NZ | ACMA RCM | RCM mark | EMC and Radio | Supplier declaration model; requires an Australian/NZ representative. Record-keeping and labeling (including e-labels) required. |
| Emerging Markets | e.g., Brazil Anatel, India WPC ETA, Korea RRA KC | Local marks | RF, EMC, Safety | Country-specific filings, local representatives, translations, and label artwork are often required. |
Our Proven Process for Multi-Region Certification
Launching connected products globally requires more than passing tests; it means sequencing certifications, coordinating submissions, and keeping documentation airtight. MiCOM Labs guides you through a six-step process from design to post-market.
| Step | What We Do | Key Considerations |
| 1. Strategy & Scoping | Define target regions, launch timelines, and SKU/variant mapping. Early design risk screen. | Antennas & power classes, DFS, SAR/EME exposure, cybersecurity scope, market prioritization (revenue vs. complexity). |
| 2. Pre-Compliance & Test Plan | Map applicable standards (ETSI, RSS, FCC Parts 15/22/24/27, etc.). Define the host vs. module approach. | FCC/ISED modular approvals (KDB 996369), pre-compliance scans, documentation readiness (schematics, block diagrams, ops descriptions). |
| 3. Automated Test Execution (MiTest®) | Run RF, EMC, DFS, and antenna pattern testing with automated workflows. | Faster firmware iteration, reduced manual error, real-time transparency. |
| 4. Coordinated Certification | File applications across all regions in parallel. | FCC via TCB; ISED via FCB with REL listing; EU NB opinions; UKCA technical files; Japan MIC via RCB; ACMA supplier records & RCM labeling. |
| 5. Digital Certificate Management (MiPassport®) | Documentation repository, centralize approvals, tech files, and labeling assets. | Store DoCs, reports, NB opinions, REL entries, and CE/UKCA/FCC/RCM/Giteki mark artwork. |
| 6. Post-Market & Change Control | Maintain compliance after launch. | ISED surveillance sampling, firmware/feature change assessments, labeling/manual updates, certificate renewals & audits. |
Decision Trees for Certification Sequencing
A structured framework enables product teams to select certification pathways tailored to radio architecture, spectrum utilization, and market priorities.
| Decision Point | Answer | Actions / Notes |
| Radio Architecture | Pre-certified module | Validate integration per FCC KDB 996369 & ISED RSS-Gen. Perform host EMC/EME tests. Reduced retesting is possible. |
| Custom/non-certified radio | Full RF/EMC/SAR testing required. EU NB if harmonized standards don’t apply. MIC RCB for Giteki certification. | |
| Market Prioritization | EU/UK | Certify CE first; CE is accepted indefinitely in the UK for radio equipment. UKCA optional. Other markets also use CE as a basis for data reuse |
| Japan First | Engage MIC RCB early; prepare Giteki mark. | |
| AU/NZ Expansion | Confirm ACMA supplier records, designate AU/NZ rep, implement RCM e-labeling. |
Parallel vs. Sequential Certification Paths
| Option | When to Choose | Pros | Cons |
| Parallel filings (recommended) | Mature design, shared radio stack across markets | Fastest total time; leverage shared data; synchronized launches | Higher coordination, more upfront planning |
| Sequential filings | Early hardware risk, uncertain features | Lower upfront spend; lessons roll forward | Longer timelines; staggered market entry |
Summarized Results/Data
- Fewer test loops via MiTest® automated workflows and real-time visibility.
- Streamlined certification process via MiCMS®, complete process visibility
- Cleaner audits using MiPassport® to centralize DoCs, reports, and label proofs (FCC/REL, CE, UKCA, RCM, Giteki).
- Reduced redesign risk by aligning with FCC §2.1033 documentation and RED
Next Steps: Start Your Global Market Access Strategy
Bringing a product to multiple regions can feel overwhelming, but the right plan keeps you on schedule and audit-ready. Here’s how we help you move forward with confidence:
- Book a Strategy Call
Share your block diagrams, band plan, and target countries so we can align certification with your launch goals. - Get a Combined Test & Filing Plan
We’ll map applicable standards, schedule testing, and stage parallel filings to reduce delays. - Launch Globally with Confidence
Track progress in MiTest®, MiCMS®, and keep every certificate, report, and label organized in MiPassport® for future audits and renewals.