Regulatory Compliance News

Oman Modernizes Telecommunications Type Approval Framework with Updated Four-Year Certificate Limits and E-Labelling

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Oman officially enacted Decision No. 1152/2/19/2024-12, replacing the outdated Decision No. 59/2015 to establish an updated regulatory framework governing the import, trading, and approval of telecommunications and radio frequency equipment. The comprehensive regulation enforces mandatory type approval for all radio apparatus and terminal devices placed on the Omani market, prohibiting the circulation of unauthorized or counterfeit hardware while regulating commercial import permits and customs release clearance procedures.

A fundamental shift introduced under the new framework is the modification of type approval certificate validity. Previously granted on a permanent basis, type approval certificates are now issued with a fixed four-year validity term, applicable retroactively to existing certificates calculated from their original issuance date. Manufacturers and importers holding certificates issued prior to 2020 must submit renewal applications to maintain active market access. The regulation also formally permits e-labelling for devices with integrated displays, requiring physical or digital compliance marks to feature the TRA logo, dealer registration number, type approval certificate number, and a dedicated QR code provided by the authority. Certain product categories, including factory-installed automotive radio equipment, data center rack components, and public operator network infrastructure, are explicitly exempted from mandatory approval labeling requirements.

The decision outlines streamlined administrative procedures, establishing a 30-day timeline for the TRA to review type approval applications while recognizing test reports from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories affiliated with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Furthermore, the update introduces special fee structures and exemptions for registered small and medium enterprises (SMEs) holding Entrepreneurship Cards, while enforcing strict administrative penalties—including fines up to 1,000 Omani Rials per violation, product seizures, mandatory equipment re-exportation, or permit cancellations—for non-compliance. Hardware vendors and telecommunications manufacturers targeting Oman must align their compliance strategies with these four-year renewal cycles and updated labeling parameters to ensure uninterrupted distribution across the Sultanate.