Authority and Certification Scheme Restructuring
When a regulatory authority changes hands, the compliance implications can vary dramatically. In some markets, existing certificates transfer to the new body without any action required from manufacturers. In others, the transition comes with hard deadlines, full re-certification requirements, and no grace period. Several markets have undergone exactly this kind of structural shift recently, with consequences that range from the highly disruptive to the surprisingly straightforward.Â
Alongside those transitions, a few markets have moved in the opposite direction, simplifying compliance pathways by accepting established international credentials or reducing documentation burdens for new applications. For compliance teams, the critical task is knowing which situation applies to which market, and responding before the deadlines pass.Â
Key Changes at a Glance
- Lebanon: Full re-certification required under the new TRA with no grace period for existing MOT certificatesÂ
- Yemen: Two independent authorities govern separate zones, requiring two separate certificatesÂ
- Moldova: CE Mark accepted as proof of compliance; local certification no longer required
- Oman: Declaration of Conformity now accepted in lieu of full test reportsÂ
Authority Transitions
When a national regulatory authority is dissolved, merged, or replaced, the impact on in-market certifications can range from a straightforward administrative update to a full-scale recertification requirement. The two cases described below represent opposite ends of this spectrum.Â
Lebanon: Ministry of Telecommunications Replaced by TRA
Lebanon’s telecommunications regulatory landscape underwent a fundamental change in January 2026 when the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) officially assumed all type approval responsibilities, replacing the Ministry of Telecommunications (MOT). This transition has significant implications for any manufacturer currently holding or seeking Lebanese type approval certificates.Â
Timeline of the TransitionÂ
The transition unfolded in three stages. On December 10, 2025, the MOT issued its final type approval certificates and all open MOT certification processes were cancelled; any applications pending at that point were not transferred to the TRA and must be resubmitted from scratch. In January 2026, the TRA officially assumed all type approval responsibilities. By March 11, 2026, all previously MOT-issued certificates became invalid, meaning any devices sold in Lebanon after that date must hold a valid TRA-issued certificate to be considered compliant.Â
Full Re-Certification Required with No Grace PeriodÂ
The TRA has confirmed that all devices previously certified under the MOT must obtain new type approval certificates issued directly by the TRA. There is no grace period, and MOT-issued certificates cannot be used as a basis for market compliance after March 11, 2026. This is an unusually strict transition policy that significantly increases the compliance burden for manufacturers with existing Lebanese approvals. All such certificates should be treated as lapsed, and recertification should be prioritized based on the commercial importance of the Lebanese market to each manufacturer’s portfolio.Â
New Framework and Application ProcessÂ
The TRA is introducing new application schemes (Scheme 1, 2, and 3) under Board Decision No. 9/2025. Full details on how each scheme functions, including pricing and processing timelines, are still pending official release. Two key procedural requirements are already in effect. All new TRA applications must be filed through a registered local agent in Lebanon; manufacturers without an existing local representative will need to appoint one before initiating any application. Separately, the TRA is actively reviewing and updating Lebanon’s legacy telecommunications regulations, many of which have not been revised since 2009. All files previously held by the MOT are being transferred to the TRA for continued processing under the new authority. Once the updated framework is ratified and finalized, the TRA will publish updated requirements, pricing, and application timelines, at which point the authority will operate fully independently of the Ministry.Â
Mexico: IFETEL Dissolved, CRT Established
While covered in full detail in a previous article explaining Mexico’s IFETEL-to-CRT transition, is also relevant in the context of authority restructuring. Unlike Lebanon, the Mexican transition was smooth for existing certificate holders: all IFETEL-issued certificates remain valid under the CRT, and manufacturers were not required to recertify existing products. The primary structural change is the creation of a new regulatory authority with an updated institutional mandate, alongside two new mandatory technical standards and the reinstatement of physical application requirements. For a full analysis, refer to White Paper 1 in this series.Â
Dual Regulatory Environment
Yemen: Two Authorities, Two Certificates
Yemen presents a unique and complex compliance challenge: the country now operates under two independent regulatory bodies that do not recognize each other’s certificates. This reflects Yemen’s ongoing political division, with distinct governmental structures exercising authority over separate geographic zones.Â
Two Separate Certification RegimesÂ
Obtaining type approval from one Yemeni authority does not provide market access across the entire country. The two regimes are entirely independent, and a product certified under one is not valid in the other’s territory. Â
The Sana’a Administration governs the northern and central zones under Houthi-controlled territory, while the Aden Authority governs the southern zones under the internationally recognized government. This applies to all shipment routes (air, land, and sea) as well as internal movement within Yemen. Presenting the incorrect certificate for a destination zone will result in refusal of entry, so compliance teams and logistics managers must ensure shipment documentation clearly identifies the intended destination and that the corresponding certificate accompanies each shipment.Â
Certificate Processes for Each AuthorityÂ
The Sana’a administration issues an electronic certificate as a preliminary shipping document. This electronic version may include minor non-critical errors such as address formatting, but key details including the certificate number and product model must be accurate. The final paper certificate, which serves as the official reference document, is required for complete validation and must accurately reflect all information submitted in the original application.Â
The Aden Authority has introduced an additional documentation requirement: all type approval applications must include a schematic diagram of the product. The certificate issuance process similarly follows a two-stage approach, with an electronic certificate issued first as a preliminary shipping document before the final paper certificate is produced.Â
Compliance ImplicationsÂ
For manufacturers supplying distributors or importers in Yemen, the practical implication is that two separate type approval certificates, one from each authority, are required to enable distribution across the full Yemeni market. Global Validity recommends treating Yemen as two distinct certification markets until a unified regulatory framework is established.Â
Streamlined Compliance Pathways
In contrast to the added complexity in Lebanon and Yemen, two markets have recently reduced the burden of obtaining type approval, either by accepting established international compliance credentials or by removing the requirement for full test report submissions.Â
Moldova: EU Alignment and CE Mark Recognition
In a significant step toward its broader European Union membership ambitions, Moldova has enacted legislation aligning its conformity assessment framework with European Union law. This critical regulatory update integrates key elements from EU Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008 on accreditation and market surveillance, Decision No. 768/2008/EC on product marketing, and Regulation (EU) No. 1025/2012 on standardization. A central feature of this newly implemented framework is the formal recognition of conformity assessments performed by EU-notified bodies, particularly under directives such as the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).Â
Status: Legislation Enacted and Effective Immediately Â
As of February 2026, the legislation has been fully enacted and is effective immediately. Official recognition of CE-marked products is now the standard procedure in Moldova. Manufacturers no longer need to wait for further legislative approvals or the future implementation of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) with the EU to leverage their CE Mark. Using the CE Mark on the device, accompanied by the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), is now officially recognized as sufficient proof of compliance for market access in the country. Under the framework, the National Accreditation Center (MOLDAC) remains designated as Moldova’s sole national accreditation body, responsible for overseeing accreditation activities and aligning with harmonized European standards through the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).Â
ANRCETI Has Suspended Operations: Practical ImplicationsÂ
The practical driver behind this accelerated reform is the indefinite suspension of certification activities by ANRCETI, the existing certification authority in Moldova. ANRCETI is no longer issuing type approval certificates. Consequently, any certification processes that were previously open or pending with ANRCETI should be considered cancelled. Clients and manufacturers must be informed that navigating the local certification process is no longer required or possible through ANRCETI. Instead, the CE Mark and the corresponding EU Declaration of Conformity under applicable directives, such as RED, are the only requirements for demonstrating compliance in Moldova. Manufacturers should ensure they maintain current EU compliance documentation to seamlessly support their market entry and ongoing operations in the region.Â
Oman: Certificate Validity Reduced, New Labeling and Importer Rules
Effective August 21, 2024, Oman’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) implemented significant changes to its type approval framework. The most impactful change was the reduction of certificate validity from indefinite to a fixed term of four years. This applied to both new certifications and existing certificates: any type approval certificates issued more than four years ago, meaning those from 2020 or earlier, had to undergo the recertification process to remain valid. Manufacturers with legacy Omani approvals should audit their certificate portfolio against this cutoff and prioritize renewals accordingly.Â
New Labeling and Applicant RequirementsÂ
Two additional changes accompanied the validity update. First, a QR code had to be placed on the product label for all certificates issued after August 2024. This was a new physical labeling requirement that affected all new submissions and renewals, and label templates had to be updated to include the QR code before any new applications were filed. Second, new certifications must be issued in the name of the actual importer, not the manufacturer. This represented a structural change in how Omani type approval certificates are held, and manufacturers who have historically held certificates directly should coordinate with their local Omani importers to ensure new and renewal filings reflect the correct legal holder.Â
Declaration of Conformity Now AcceptedÂ
As an offsetting measure, Oman’s TRA has introduced in 2026 the option for manufacturers to present a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) in lieu of full test reports for certain type approval applications. This can reduce the documentation burden for products that already hold recognized international certifications such as FCC or CE. Manufacturers should verify with their authorized local agent whether a DoC prepared from existing approvals satisfies the TRA’s current template and content requirements before relying on this pathway.Â
Whatever shifts your compliance strategy is facing in Lebanon, Yemen, Moldova, Oman, or any other market, Global Validity’s team is ready to help you sort out what applies to your products. Reach out for a conversation about your global market access questions, no matter how specific or how many markets are involved.
