Proposed Regulation on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Limits for Mobile Phones and Tablets

Regulatory Body

The Ministry of Communication and Digital of the Republic of Indonesia (Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital) has issued a draft decree regarding the mandatory limits for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) on telecommunication devices.

Overview of Proposed Changes

This draft decree aims to replace the previous regulation (Decree No. 177 of 2024) to streamline the testing and certification process for mobile phones and tablet computers. The proposed regulation establishes mandatory SAR limits for the following body parts:

• Head
• Torso/Body
• Limbs

The limits are based on international safety standards, specifically the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines from 1998 and 2020.

Scope and Technical Parameters

The regulation applies to mobile phones and tablet computers that meet the following criteria:

• The device is used at a distance of less than 20 cm from the body.
• The device has a radiated transmit power exceeding 20 mW.

Tablet computers that do not possess a "next-to-the-ear" speaker facility for voice calls are exempt from the mandatory SAR requirements for the head portion, though they must still comply with torso and limb limits.

Impact on Manufacturers and Certification Procedures

Manufacturers and importers must adhere to the following requirements when applying for device certification (Type Approval):

• Test Reports: Applications must include an official SAR test report.
• Exemption Statements: For tablets without ear-speakers, manufacturers must provide a formal statement and technical specifications confirming the lack of voice call hardware for use against the ear.
• Testing Standards: Testing must be conducted according to recognized international standards, including IEC/IEEE 62209-1528, EN 50360:2017 (for head), and EN 50566:2017 (for torso/limbs), as well as specific KDB (Knowledge Database) procedures.
• Market Surveillance and Re-testing: If a device is found to be non-compliant based on domestic lab reports, the certificate holder may request a one-time re-test. The samples for re-testing will be purchased randomly from the market, and all costs will be borne by the certificate holder. Failure to meet limits may result in the revocation of the certificate or other administrative sanctions.

Transitional Provisions and Deadlines

The regulation includes a transitional period to accommodate the capacity of domestic testing laboratories:

• Temporary Exceptions: If domestic testing laboratories are not yet capable of issuing SAR test reports, applicants may substitute the report with a letter of information from a domestic laboratory indicating the scheduled date for the test report issuance.
• Final Deadline: This temporary exception for domestic test reports is valid only until July 31, 2027. After this date, full SAR test reports will be mandatory for all relevant applications.
• Effective Date: The decree will come into force on the date it is officially enacted, at which point Decree No. 177 of 2024 will be revoked.