Scope and Impact
Resolution 57/2026 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the registration of telecommunications activities and materials in Argentina. This regulation governs the Registro de Actividades y Materiales de Telecomunicaciones (RAMATEL), impacting manufacturers, importers, and local representatives. It centralizes the certification process by defining the roles of recognized Certification Agencies (AC) and Testing Laboratories (LE), mandating that all radio devices must be registered before being commercialized, distributed, or used within the national territory.
Classification of Materials and Technical Parameters
Materials are categorized into two primary classes based on their intended use, each subject to specific technical standards and registration procedures:
Class A (Public Use): Includes devices for general consumer use.
Mobile Services (2G/3G/4G/5G NR): Governed by ENACOM-Q2-61.03 (User terminals and IoT).
Broadband (Wi-Fi): Governed by ENACOM-Q2-63.02 (Digital broadband modulation).
Frequency Hopping (Bluetooth, LoRa, FHSS): Governed by ENACOM-Q2-63.03.
Low Power Devices (RFID, NFC, Telemetry): Governed by ENACOM-Q2-60.14.
Level Detection Radars: Governed by ENACOM-Q2-64.02.
VHF/UHF and BLU Transceivers: Governed by ENACOM-Q2-60.21 and SC-Q2-60.09.
Class B (Professional Use): Includes specialized equipment.
Broadcasting (AM/FM/TV Digital): Governed by standards such as SC-S2-82.08 and SC-S2-82.09.
Medical Devices (SRMED): Governed by ENACOM-Q2-60.15 (Pacemakers, insulin pumps, etc.).
Infrastructure: Radiobase transceivers (2G to 5G NR) governed by ENACOM-Q2-61.04 and intelligent transport system radars (ENACOM-Q2-64.01).
Conformity Assessment and In-Country Testing
The regulation defines two primary paths for legalizing hardware: Homologation (for commercialization) and Authorization (for personal or internal use). The following procedures apply:
Testing Standards: Laboratories must be accredited under IRAM-ISO/IEC 17025 and recognized by ENACOM. Certification Agencies must be accredited under IRAM-ISO/IEC 17065.
Homologation Scheme (Class A): Requires a Certificate of Conformity based on "Scheme Type 2" (product testing plus market surveillance). Testing must be performed by ENACOM-recognized laboratories.
Homologation Scheme (Class B): Requires a Certificate of Conformity based on "Scheme Type 1a" (testing of product samples only).
Hierarchy of Laboratories: For testing reports, priority is given to 1) ENACOM-recognized labs, 2) AC-evaluated third-party labs, 3) AC-evaluated factory labs, and 4) labs accredited by GAC-member organizations.
Market Surveillance: For Class A devices, market surveillance must be conducted every two years from the date the certificate is issued to ensure continued compliance.
Exemptions and Restrictions
Marketing Prohibition: Materials cannot be sold, leased, or distributed until they are successfully registered in RAMATEL. Advertisement of non-registered products must explicitly state that availability is subject to pending homologation.
Homologation Exemptions: Reconditioned, used, or handmade (artesanal) materials do not require homologation, though they must still adhere to ENACOM technical regulations.
Sample Exemption: Materials imported strictly as "samples" for testing, experimental use, or demonstration are exempt from registration prior to entry, provided they are not commercialized.
Labeling Requirements
All registered devices must comply with the mandatory identification requirements specified in current regulations. This typically includes the RAMATEL logo accompanied by the registration number assigned by ENACOM. Manufacturers and importers are responsible for ensuring each unit is correctly identified before market entry.
Regulatory Modifications
Resolution 57/2026 significantly streamlines the regulatory landscape by replacing and repealing several legacy documents. Effective September 1, 2026, this regulation replaces:
Resolución N° 729/80 (ex SECRETARÍA DE ESTADO DE COMUNICACIONES).
Resolución N° 784/87 (ex SECRETARÍA DE COMUNICACIONES).
Resolución N° 700/96 (ex COMISIÓN NACIONAL DE TELECOMUNICACIONES).
Resolución N° 5424/19 (ENTE NACIONAL DE COMUNICACIONES).
Other specific historical resolutions including N° 763/78, 4528/81, 519/83, 179/84, 549/84, 585/84, 66/85, 83/86, 107/87, 11.153/99, and 9/2001.
Existing registrations in RAMATEL will remain valid for three years from the publication of the new regulation, after which they must be updated to comply with the new framework.
