April 2026 Regulatory Newsletter: Vietnam, Hong Kong, India, Eswatini & 9 More Countries
This Month at a Glance:
- Vietnam issued two major circulars reforming conformity declaration and mutual recognition of test results, taking effect in May 2026
- Eswatini and Kenya both activated new enforcement frameworks, with Eswatini requiring type approval at ports of entry starting April 13
- India, Singapore, and Hong Kong each issued multiple updates spanning IoT cybersecurity recognition, CSR testing, energy standards, and spectrum specifications
Country Updates
Vietnam: Mutual Recognition of Conformity Results Regulated
April 22, 2026
Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (BKHCN) has issued Circular No. 16/2026/TT-BKHCN, providing updated regulations on the signing and implementation of mutual and unilateral recognition agreements for conformity assessment results. Effective May 14, 2026, this replaces the 2007 framework and introduces revised procedures for manufacturers seeking cross-border acceptance of conformity test results.
Continue Reading: Vietnam: Mutual Recognition of Conformity Results Regulated
Vietnam: New Conformity Declaration Framework Issued
April 21, 2026
BKHCN’s Circular No. 14/2026/TT-BKHCN establishes updated regulations on the declaration of conformity with standards and technical regulations in Vietnam. Effective May 25, 2026, the new framework streamlines how manufacturers self-declare or third-party certify product compliance, replacing the prior regime with clearer conformity assessment methods and broader applicability across product categories.
Continue Reading: Vietnam: New Conformity Declaration Framework Issued
Eswatini: Type Approval Enforced at Ports of Entry
April 21, 2026
Eswatini’s ESCCOM has issued General Notice No. 4/2026, making Type Approval Certificates mandatory for all electronic communications equipment imported or used in Eswatini, effective April 13, 2026. Equipment arriving without valid type approval is now subject to seizure at ports of entry, making pre-shipment certification essential for importers and manufacturers.
Continue Reading: Eswatini: Type Approval Enforced at Ports of Entry
Eswatini: 2026 Fixed Terrestrial Services Band Plan Published
April 21, 2026
ESCCOM has published the Fixed Terrestrial Services Band Plan 2026, replacing the 2022 edition with a mandatory national framework governing frequency use in terrestrial fixed service bands. The revision incorporates outcomes from the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference and requires spectrum users and equipment manufacturers to align with the updated allocations.
Continue Reading: Eswatini: 2026 Fixed Terrestrial Services Band Plan Published
Hong Kong: Table of Frequency Allocations Updated
April 21, 2026
OFCA has published the April 2026 edition of the Hong Kong Table of Frequency Allocations, the authoritative framework governing spectrum management under Region 3 ITU Radio Regulations. The updated publication is critical for product manufacturers, operators, and spectrum users navigating Hong Kong’s licensing regime and ensuring radio equipment compliance.
Continue Reading: Hong Kong: Table of Frequency Allocations Updated
Singapore: MEPS and MELS Requirements Grace Period Ends
April 8, 2026
Singapore’s NEA has confirmed that grace periods for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Minimum Energy Labelling Standards (MELS) under the Energy Conservation Act have ended. Products must now meet the new efficiency thresholds to enter the Singapore market, with enforcement fully active and non-compliant goods subject to regulatory action.
Continue Reading: Singapore: MEPS and MELS Requirements Grace Period Ends
India: BIS Updates Standards for LED Luminaires
April 8, 2026
India’s BIS has published updated guidelines for LED luminaires under the Compulsory Registration Order, targeting revisions to the IS 10322 standards series. Manufacturers must align with the new safety, performance, and testing protocols to maintain valid BIS registration, with the updated standards affecting a broad range of lighting products.
Continue Reading: India: BIS Updates Standards for LED Luminaires
Hong Kong: OFCA Specs for 865-868 & 920-925 MHz Updated
April 8, 2026
OFCA has released updated Issue 2 of HKCA 1049 and HKCA 1078, revising performance specifications for radio and RFID equipment in the 865-868 MHz and 920-925 MHz frequency bands. These updates align Hong Kong’s requirements with international standards and directly affect manufacturers of logistics, IoT, and connected equipment targeting the Hong Kong market.
Continue Reading: Hong Kong: OFCA Specs for 865-868 & 920-925 MHz Updated
Kenya: New Mobile Cellular Device Specs Issued
April 8, 2026
Kenya’s Communications Authority has released its 2025 Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices, establishing minimum technical requirements for smartphones, feature phones, and tablets using mobile network technologies. All mobile devices must meet these baseline performance and safety criteria to gain regulatory approval for the Kenyan market.
Continue Reading: Kenya: New Mobile Cellular Device Specs Issued
Singapore: MoC with Japan for Mutual Recognition of IoT Cybersecurity Schemes Signed
April 3, 2026
Singapore’s CSA and Japan’s METI have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation establishing mutual recognition of IoT cybersecurity certification schemes. Manufacturers certified under either country’s IoT cybersecurity labelling framework can expect a streamlined pathway to dual-market acceptance, reducing duplicative testing requirements for connected devices.
India: Scope of CSR Testing Expanded
April 3, 2026
India’s NCCS has amended its Communication Security Requirements directive to add IoT devices as a new classification group subject to mandatory CSR testing. This expansion signals India’s intent to bring the broader connected device ecosystem under its telecom security compliance framework, requiring manufacturers to anticipate new pre-approval obligations.
India: Security Certification Exemption for IP Routers and Wi-Fi CPEs Extended
April 3, 2026
India’s NCCS has extended the exemption from security certification for cloud-implemented IP Routers and Wi-Fi Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs), providing additional preparation time before mandatory CSR testing requirements take effect. Manufacturers should use this window to prepare documentation and test plans for eventual compliance.
Continue Reading: India: Security Certification Exemption for IP Routers and Wi-Fi CPEs Extended
Mongolia: Updated Telecommunications Equipment Certification Procedures
April 3, 2026
Mongolia’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has issued updated procedures for the certification and conformity assessment of ICT equipment, establishing requirements covering human health and safety, electromagnetic compatibility, and spectrum use. The updated framework clarifies the compliance pathway for manufacturers seeking market access in Mongolia.
Continue Reading: Mongolia: Updated Telecommunications Equipment Certification Procedures
Table of Contents
More Posts
