On January 31, 2024, the  EU cybersecurity certification scheme on Common Criteria (EUCC), drafted by the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA), has been adopted by the European Commission as the first certification scheme within the EU Cybersecurity Certification Framework. The certification program will apply to all ICT products. While the implementation of the certification scheme is part of EU law, this cybersecurity certification framework is voluntary. The EUCC will eventually replace the previous national certification scheme established under the SOG-IS protocol. The certification program has been approved and will be published in the Official Journal (OJ) one year after the date of publication.

Click this link to view ENISA's press release regarding EUCC, click this link to view the original EUCC regulation.

On December 22, 2023, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule numbered FCC 23-114, which was published on the Federal Register website on January 29, 2024. The proposal proposes to modify the unwanted emission limits for the 24 GHz band to better protect passive sensors in the 23.6-24 GHz band for weather forecasting and scientific research, and to allow for more commercial flexibility in the use of the 24 GHz band (specifically the 24.25-24.45 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz bands). For end equipment operating at 24.25–24.45 GHz or 24.75–25.25 GHz, the proposed amendment to Part 30 would limit the total spurious emissions in any 200 MHz bandwidth in the 23.6-24 GHz band to no more than -29 dBW (1 dBm), which will be further tightened to -35 dBW (-5 dBm) after September 1, 2027.

Click this link to check the original proposed rule and the public consultation is open until Feb. 28 2024.

On January 25, 2024, CNCA released the Announcement No. 3 of 2024 on the official website of , which reads as follows:

Decided to adjust the testing method standards of the conformity assessment system for the restricted use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products from GB/T 26125 "Determination of Six Restricted Substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)" to GB/T 39560.1, GB/T 39560.2, GB/T 39560.301 and GB/T 39560.4, GB/T 39560.5, GB/T 39560.6, GB/T 39560.701, GB/T 39560.702, a total of 8 series of standards for the determination of certain substances in electrical and electronic products (hereinafter referred to as GB/T 39560 series standards). The relevant requirements are hereby announced as follows:

1. From March 1, 2024, the testing methods for carrying out conformity assessment activities for the restriction of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products shall be implemented in accordance with the GB/T 39560 series standards.

2. Before March 1, 2024, if the conformity assessment is completed in accordance with GB/T 26125, the standard conversion shall be completed by means of natural transition such as expiration renewal and product change.

3. Before March 1, 2024, products that have been shipped and imported do not need to be converted to standards.

On January 24, 2024, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced that new legislation would be introduced to allow electronic labels. Some of the regulations affected by this announcement include:

• Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulation 2016/1091
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101
• Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105
• Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206
• Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092
• Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881
• Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 ("RoHS Regulations").

Click this link to view the original DBT press release and the full list of affected regulations.

On 22 January 2024, the United Kingdom's Communications Authority (Ofcom) published a guide with advice on how Internet of Things (IoT) and third-party equipment vendors can respond to network change. Vodafone, Three, and EE are expected to shut down their 3G networks by the end of 2024, and VMO2 is expected to shut down in 2025. There are no specific plans for mobile network operators in the UK to announce a shutdown of the 2G network after the 3G shutdown, but this will be done by 2033 at the latest, and possibly as early as 2028. All 2G and 3G devices will need to be upgraded to at least 4G at that time.

Click this link is the original Ofcom guide.

On January 17, 2024, the Ministry of Communications (MIC) of Vietnam issued Announcement No. 13/TB-BTTTT to organize the auction of radio frequency usage rights in the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band and 3700-3900 MHz frequency band. The auction of these two frequency bands will contribute to the promotion of 5G commercialization in Vietnam.

Within 30 days from the date of the MIC's public announcement of the auction organization plan, the organization that intends to participate in the auction of the right to use radio frequencies in the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band and the 3700-3900 MHz frequency band must apply to the Telecommunications Division of the MIC by post or online platform to confirm that it meets the conditions for participating in the auction. Applications submitted outside of the above deadlines will not be accepted and processed.

Click this link to view the original bulletin No. 13/TB-BTTTT.

On January 17, 2024, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) opened a public consultation on the technical specifications of the fifth-generation mobile communication system in the 4.9 GHz band.

Click on the this link to view the original public consultation and is open for comments until 16 February 2024.

As per the latest notification dated 9 January 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has changed the concurrent testing from a pilot project of BIS-CRS to a permanent scheme based on consultation with stakeholders and the agreement of the Ministry of Electronics and Information of India (MEITY).

It's important to note that parallel testing is voluntary in nature, and manufacturers can apply for BIS certification through the existing process. If any application related to parallel testing is rejected/not processed at a subsequent stage, the manufacturer will bear the entire risk (including costs) in the process. Manufacturers should update the Critical Component List (CCL) as soon as the product is registered. In the case of CRS coverage, the manufacturer should subsequently use the component with the corresponding number (R-no.).

Click this link to view the original official notice.

Following the announcement by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on October 19, 2023 that the 6 GHz band will be opened for use by very-low power (VLP) devices, on January 8, 2024, the FCC published a rule on the Federal Register website regarding "Unlicensed Applications of the 6 GHz Band and Expanding the Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 24 GHz Band" to promote the update of the requirements in FCC Part 15. The new rules will allow VLP devices to be used in the U–NII–5 (5925–6425 MHz) and U–NII–7 (6525–6875 MHz) frequency bands. The new regulations will come into effect on March 8, 2024. In addition. The FCC is also considering opening up the entire 6GHz band to VLP equipment.

Click this link to view the original text of the relevant regulatory update.

On January 8, 2024, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre of India (TEC) issued a circular No. 5-5/2021-TC/TEC announcing the submission of a general exemption for test reports on test parameters and interfaces of some ERs under MTCTE. This waiver has been extended until June 30, 2024, or until further notice. The exemption applies to the following equipment-related parameters: Media Gateways, Mobile Wireless Trunking Systems, Cellular Network Repeaters, Precision Timing Protocol Master Clock Devices, VHF UHF Radio System Equipment, Radio Broadcast Receivers, PON Series Broadband Devices, ADSLx, VDSLx, Routers.

Click this link to view the original TEC announcement.