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(Canada: SAR) Clarification of SAR Testing Guidance for Smartphone Camera Protrusions
On May 4, 2026, ISED updated the SAR evaluation requirements for smartphone camera protrusions through Notice 2025-DRS0008.
For an EUT with a camera protrusion, the separation distance must be measured based on the reference plane of the outer surface of the EUT body, not the protruding part. Depending on the height of the protrusion, antenna location, and body-worn or limb-worn conditions, the EUT must be positioned either parallel to the phantom or tilted for testing.
For SAR testing of corner-mounted antennas, the conditions for determining whether both edges must be tested or only the worst-case edge needs to be tested have been clarified.
(Canada: RSS Updates) Public Consultation on RSS-Gen Issue 6 and RSS-310 Issue 6 Drafts
On February 27, ISED released the draft documents for RSS-Gen Issue 6 and RSS-310 Issue 6 and conducted a public consultation until May 29.
The most notable updates under the RSS-Gen Issue 6 draft include:
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1. RSS-Gen Issue 6 Draft: Key Updates
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1) Updated Geolocation Technology Requirements (Section 4.3)
Where a mode that does not comply with Canadian radio standards (RSS Standards) is available in countries outside Canada, the device shall operate under the control of geolocation, an access point, or another primary device.-
① For a device operating under the control of an Access Point or Primary Device
- - Network initiation and transmission are not allowed without authorization from the Access Point or Primary Device.
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② Geolocation-based Device Requirements:
- 1) Devices relying on satellite technology must utilize GPS or Galileo.
- 2) Transmission is prohibited before the device confirms it is within Canada.
- 3) Auto-configuration is required to ensure compliance with RSS standards under all operating conditions.
- 4) Users must not be able to modify these settings.
- 5) Details regarding the geolocation technology must be documented in the Test Report.
- 6) If the geolocation function is disabled (e.g., due to loss of satellite reception), the device shall cease transmission or revert to a default operating mode that complies with RSS.
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① For a device operating under the control of an Access Point or Primary Device
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2) Labelling (Section 9.4)
Added requirements for QR code labelling and updated labelling guidelines based on device dimensions.-
Category Device Dimension > 2.5 cm Device Dimension ≤ 2.5 cm ISED Inquiry Mandatory ISED Inquiry
(*Must submit justification and product info)ISED Inquiry not required Display Location User Manual + Packaging (Should be displayed on both) Note For multi-unit systems, if any single unit exceeds 2.5 cm,
the label must be affixed to that unit, or an ISED Inquiry is required.
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3) Unwanted Emission (Section 5.5.2)
For devices operating at frequencies above 95 GHz, the measurement frequency range has been extended up to 750 GHz. -
4) Unwanted Emission (Section 4.9.5)
Clarification of the extrapolation method when Unwanted Emissions are measured at a distance shorter than the specified measurement distance- - 20 dB/decade in the far-field region
- - 40 dB/decade from the near-field region to the near-field/far-field boundary, and 20 dB/decade thereafter.
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5) Receiver with Detachable Antenna (Section 6.2.2)
Clarified the measurement methods for receivers with detachable antennas, and introduced exemptions for specific labelling and test report requirements.
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1) Updated Geolocation Technology Requirements (Section 4.3)
- 2. RSS-310 Issue 6 Draft: Key Updates
| Category | Key Updates |
|---|---|
| Equipment classification relocation | Relocation of equipment classification for stand-alone receivers and RFID tags |
| Exemptions(below 9 kHz) | Devices operating below 9 kHz are eligible for exemptions from labelling, user manual, and test report requirements
(Note: RSS-102 applies from 3 kHz and above for Nerve Stimulation) |
| Transmitters (input power of 6 nW or less) |
Removed the total exemption clause for transmitters with an input power of 6 nW or less, replacing it with an exemption from labelling, user manual, and test report requirements. |