Type Approval Draft Guidelines
1. Introduction
Due to increasing government and public concern about the poor quality and safety of electrical and electronic apparatus in the market, Type Approval is being introduced as a mandatory solution to address this growing problem.
All importers and suppliers must comply with these guidelines prior to the importation of any product.
PURA as a regulatory body, has joined the International Electrotechnical Commission, the IEC. The IEC is one of the oldest and largest standards body for electrotechnical equipment and its standards also cover the test through which equipment must undergo to ensure electromagnetic compatibility, safety and endurance. These Guidelines follows the IEC Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components scheme, the IECEE. This scheme is internationally accepted and also uses widely recognised international standards.
A supplier using a Test report issued under this scheme can present it in any other participating country. In addition these Guidelines also accept Test Reports issued by other Regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), British Standards Institute, DIN and the ETSI.
PURA has been careful to ensure that these Guidelines don’t become a technical barrier to trade, rather they are meant to promote and facilitate fair trade and to effect a transition of adopting international standard as national standards.
2. What is Type Approval
Type approval is a regulatory function that allows an equipment to be certified to have met basic or minimum technical and safety requirements so as to guarantee its usefulness and also to safeguard the consumer’s interest. For the purpose of these guidelines electromagnetic compatibility must also be assured. In particular, for example within the telecoms sector, Type approval further:
- Protects consumers from products that are non – compatible with the local telecommunications network, and
- Ensures that the operating frequency of all radio communication equipment is as per the frequency spectrum allocation in The Gambia and that no harmful interference is caused to essential services and licensed service providers.
3. Mandate of PURA for Type Approval of Equipment
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has within its terms of reference the responsibility of Type Approval of electrical appliances equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment intended for connection to the public telecommunications networks and radio communication equipment to be imported for used in The Gambia.
In doing so PURA is enforcing that only certified equipment are imported into this country. The mandate for Type Approval enshrined in sector specific legislations such as the ICT Bill 2008 and regulations made under the Electricity Act of 2005.
4. Scope of these Draft Guidelines
These guidelines cover all domestic appliances for household use and also equipment listed under ANNEX
5. Is Type Approval / Certification Required?
Yes and this will be issued out with a letter from the Authority after all relevant documentation, test reports have been submitted and payments have been made to the Authority.
6. Who should apply for Type Approval?
The Application form may be filed by any one of the following for importation of radio communication or telecommunication or electrical equipment into The Gambia:
- A company / individual / Vendor holding a valid business License issued by the Government of The Gambia in order to engage in business either wholesale or retail of the equipment in The Gambia.
- A holder of a valid license who intends to be the local representative of a manufacturer or distributor of a certain product which is to be imported either for sale or for its own use.
- An individual/company willing to import radio communication or telecommunication equipment for its use as part of a contract, after having sought the approval of the Authority.
7. Is a Local Representative required?
Not necessarily, but if Yes 6, above applies. Only registered businesses can be issued a Type Approval Certificate.
8. Is Testing in Local Laboratory required?
No. This is not required in The Gambia as most equipment are imported. However every equipment must go through a standards test from recognised laboratories certified by any of the organisations listed on the table:
| Description | Organization |
| Telecom / Radio Comm | ETSI, ASA, FCC, ITU |
| EMC / EMI | CENELEC, IEC, ASA, FCC |
| Safety / Health | CENELEC, IEC, ASA, UL, FCC |
9. Certification Bodies Recognised by PURA
For Telecommunications Equipment: Test Reports and Certificates from the EU and or FCC will be accepted (as per the above table).
For Electrical appliances the minimum Standards accepted would be that of the IEC/IECEE. European and British Standards as well as reports from any of the Laboratories listed in ANNEX YY(to be completed), as we would be accepted.
10. Is there any fee? If yes how much?
Yes. The application fee is US$25.00. The cost of a PURA type approval certificate is between US$25.00 and US$350.00 per type of equipment model as listed in Annex II.
Income from fees is offset against PURA’s costs of registration and market surveillance activities. Fees are payable by the applicant at the time of submission of the respective application. The fee is non-refundable. The list of fees will be reviewed and published on the PURA website.
11. How long does this process take?
The maximum application processing period is one (1) calendar month.
12. Validity of the Type Approval Certificate?
The Type Approval Certificate issued for any particular model of equipment is valid for three (3) years. Upon expiry, it must be renewed and a new application filed.
13. Test Reports and Certificates.
Yes should be submitted by applicant.
14. Submission of Samples.
Sometimes it may be needed. It depends on the type of equipment. The Authority reserves the right to require for a sample to be submitted free of charge.
15. Responsibility of Suppliers.
They have to make sure that they produce all the documents requested by the Authority and make sure that only Type Approved equipment are sold and marketed in The Gambia. Where a supplier offered wholesale to other resellers, they will ensure a quality management system is in place and standards maintained.
16. What is Type Approval Certificate?
The Type Approval Certificate will be issued by PURA to an applicant based on the equipment Brand & Model and only when the Authority is satisfied that:
- The applicant complies with the Type Approval Regulations;
- The telecom equipment meets all the relevant requirements;
- The Type Approval Certificate identifies the certificate holder, the certified equipment, the standards to which the equipment conforms, the manufacturer and the origin of manufacture;
- Type Approval Certificate is granted once with no time limit provided no unauthorized modifications have been made to the certified equipment.
- The Type Approval certificate specifies parameters such as the operating frequency, Voltage, power, etc for the equipment, as applicable.
17. What equipment requires PURA Type Approval?
The list can be seen in annex IV and V.
In the absence of a relevant specification, PURA may specify technical requirements on a case-by-case basis. In any event, it is required that all equipment registered:
· is electrically safe for users, subscribers or the employees of the telecommunications system operators;
· is electromagnetically compatible with other equipment to which it is or will be connected or used;
· is fitted with a device which will protect the telecommunication system of which it is a part or to which it is connected against electrical, electromagnetic or other similar damage;
· makes efficient use of the radio spectrum where applicable; and
· is capable of interworking with other telecommunication equipment for the purposes of establishing, modifying, charging for, holding or clearing real and virtual connections.
18. Equipment exempted from Type Approval.
Unless otherwise stated, industrial electrical equipment will for the time being be exempted from the Type Approval scheme.
19. Monitoring and Surveillance.
PURA will appoint inspectors to conduct spot checks will be to ensure that equipment dealers comply. Where non-compliance has been established, products sold will be recalled from the market and the supplier fined and made to compensate consumers.
20. Non-Compliance.
Equipment can be confiscated and fine applied or legal action taken when necessary. The PURA Enforcement Regulations are also applicable for Type Approval.
21. Type Approval Application Package
i. Fill the application form (STA 001) on www.pura.gm, see annex III. .
Importing / Manufacturing Licence issued by PURA (For local Manufacturers or local importing companies or local agency acting on behalf of any overseas principal).
ii. Detailed original catalogue explaining system description (Should provide a basic understanding of the system, its operation philosophy and system technology), technical data and specifications of the equipment.
iii. Declaration of conformity from the manufacturing company or Test reports from an accredited test lab for the equipment standards regarding Telecom / Radio Communication, EMC, EMI and Health and Safety standards of the equipment.
iv. Certificate of origin from the manufacturer / principle.
v. Type approval processing fees as per the mentioned below table.
Payment is by either a payable certified check made to PURA or by cash
For terminal equipment (as fixed Telephone sets, Mobile sets, Cordless Telephone sets…etc.) two samples are required for testing / varification.
