On April 25th, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) of Vietnam issued an announcement and a draft technical regulation QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT. The draft technical regulations stipulate the limits and methods for measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) of mobile phones, which will be applicable to entities engaged in the manufacture, import, trade and operation of mobile phones in Vietnam.

The standard QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT came into effect on February 15th, 2025. The mandatory implementation date of handheld and portable radio equipment is July 1, 2025; The mandatory date for other applicable products is July 1, 2027. That is to say, from the mandatory implementation date, all imported and domestic radio equipment must meet the requirements of the national technical regulation QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT before being sold in Vietnam, and obtain corresponding certification, so as to ensure that the radio equipment on the market meets SAR standards and related requirements and protect public health.

The main contents of SAR standard are as follows:

Scope of application:

It is mainly suitable for radio equipment with power greater than 20mw and working within the range of less than 200mm from the fuselage, including handheld and wearable wireless communication equipment such as mobile phones, tablet computers, DECT and notebook computers.

SAR limit:

★ Head: no more than 2W/kg.

★ Trunk: no more than 2W/kg

★ Limbs: no more than 4W/kg

Testing and evaluation:

The equipment must pass the corresponding tests and evaluations to ensure that its SAR value meets the regulatory requirements. This usually involves using computer simulation or experimental measurement to determine the SAR value of the equipment.

In order to ensure that products meet the new standards, manufacturers should take the following measures:

1. Product testing: The manufacturer shall ensure that the SAR value of the product is tested according to the requirements of laws and regulations, so as to ensure that the radio frequency (RF) energy absorption of human tissues does not exceed the specified limit during the use of the product.

2. Compliance evaluation: An accredited third-party laboratory can be entrusted to conduct product testing and compliance evaluation to prove that the product meets all applicable standards.

3. Certification application: According to the requirements of laws and regulations, submit certification application to the Ministry of Information and Communication of Vietnam (MIC), and provide necessary test reports and other relevant documents.

4. Labels and documents: Make sure that the products are marked with necessary labeling information, and provide documents such as conformity declaration for inspection by consumers and regulatory authorities.

Importance of enforcing the requirements of SAR standards

1. Industry impact: The implementation of SAR standards will have an important impact on the radio equipment manufacturing industry, and push manufacturers to strengthen product research and development and testing to ensure that products meet the regulatory requirements.

2. Consumer protection: By limiting the SAR value, the potential risk of high RF energy absorption to consumers' health will be effectively reduced.

3. International trade: For the manufacturers of radio equipment exported to Vietnam, understanding and abiding by Vietnam's SAR standards and relevant laws and regulations will be the key to ensure that their products enter the market in compliance.

Warm tips

The SAR standard officially released by MIC and its related enforcement requirements will have a far-reaching impact on Vietnam's radio equipment market. ZRLK suggested that relevant enterprises should improve their risk awareness of products, always pay attention to the update trends of relevant laws and regulations, and strengthen product research and development and testing to ensure that products meet the latest legal requirements and avoid unnecessary trade losses. Our company has a professional technical team and rich experience in product testing, which can help you easily understand whether the products are safe and compliant. If you need it, please feel free to contact us, and our engineers will serve you at the first time!