Regulatory Compliance News

Lebanon Transfers Telecom Equipment Type Approval Authority to TRA

Lebanon has implemented a significant regulatory change by transferring responsibility for telecommunications equipment type approval from the Ministry of Communications (MoC) to the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). The transition was formalized through Authority Decision No. 3/2026, which places the TRA in charge of reviewing documentation, issuing certifications, and monitoring compliance for wireless and terminal telecommunications equipment entering the Lebanese market.

Under the new framework, manufacturers and importers must submit comprehensive technical documentation when applying for type approval. Required materials include third-party accredited test reports, technical compliance files, declarations of conformity, and detailed product specifications. The TRA will now manage the full approval process, ensuring that telecommunications devices meet national regulatory and technical requirements before being marketed or imported into Lebanon.

The decision also introduces new requirements for previously approved equipment. Certificates issued by the Ministry of Communications must be re-certified under the TRA, with no grace period for transition. While manufacturers are permitted to hold type approval certificates under their own name, importers must obtain certificates issued in their own name before importing equipment into the country.

Following this regulatory change, all new type approval applications must be submitted directly to the TRA, as the Ministry of Communications will no longer process equipment approval requests. The new structure is expected to centralize oversight within the regulator and strengthen compliance monitoring across Lebanon’s telecommunications sector.