Regulatory Summary: HKCA 1049 and HKCA 1078 for Short-Range Radio Devices (Hong Kong)
This summary covers the technical and evaluation requirements for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and general radio equipment operating in the sub-1GHz bands in Hong Kong, as prescribed by the Communications Authority (CA) under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap 106).
1. Scope of Equipment
RFID Equipment (HKCA 1049): Specifically addresses Radio Frequency Identification devices operating in the 865 – 868 MHz and/or 920 – 925 MHz bands.
General Radio Equipment (HKCA 1078): Addresses radio equipment (including but not limited to those for public telecommunications services) operating in the 920 – 925 MHz band. This specification explicitly excludes RFID equipment covered by HKCA 1049.
2. Technical Requirements: 865 – 868 MHz Band (RFID Only)
Equipment operating in this band must comply with ETSI EN 302 208. Key technical parameters include:
Peak Output Power: Shall not exceed 2 W effective radiated power (e.r.p.).
Spurious Emission Limits:
47 – 862 MHz: Not to exceed 4 nW e.r.p.
87.5 – 118 MHz: Not to exceed 4 nW e.r.p.
174 – 230 MHz: Not to exceed 4 nW e.r.p.
Other frequencies below 1000 MHz: Not to exceed 250 nW e.r.p.
Frequencies above 1000 MHz: Not to exceed 1 μW e.r.p.
3. Technical Requirements: 920 – 925 MHz Band
Both RFID (HKCA 1049) and general radio equipment (HKCA 1078) operating in this band must comply with 47 CFR 15.247 (US FCC Part 15.247) requirements, with the following localized specifications:
Modulation: Must utilize Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) modulation.
Channel Bandwidth: Maximum allowed 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel is 500 kHz.
Hopping Requirements: Equipment must use at least 10 hopping frequencies.
Dwell Time: The average time of occupancy on any frequency shall not be greater than 0.4 seconds within a 4-second period.
Peak Transmitter Power: Shall not exceed 1 W.
Maximum Radiated Power: The equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) shall not exceed 4 W.
Spurious Emissions: Level shall not exceed 10 μW e.r.p. outside the fundamental frequency band.
4. Evaluation and Certification Procedures
Compliance is managed through the Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification (HKTEC) Scheme. Manufacturers and suppliers should note the following:
Conformity Assessment: Evaluation must be conducted according to the procedures specified in the referenced standards (ETSI EN 302 208 or 47 CFR 15.247).
Certification Authority: The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) manages the certification process. Application procedures are detailed in information note OFCA I 401.
Licensing: Possession or use of these devices must be covered by an appropriate licence unless they fall under the specific exemptions listed in the Telecommunications (Telecommunications Apparatus) (Exemption from Licensing) Order (Cap. 106Z).
5. Labeling Requirements
While specific label designs are detailed in the HKTEC Scheme information notes (OFCA I 421), devices certified against these HKCA specifications are generally required to be marked or labeled to demonstrate compliance with the relevant technical standards before commercialization in Hong Kong.
6. Regulatory Updates and Modifications
The March 2026 editions (Issue 2) of HKCA 1049 and HKCA 1078 replace their respective previous versions. Significant changes include:
Removal of Safety Clauses: Clauses regarding electrical safety and radiation protection have been removed from these specific performance specifications.
Scope Expansion: HKCA 1078 Issue 2 now explicitly covers radio equipment for public telecommunications services.
Standard Updates: Technical requirements and standard titles have been updated to reflect current international references.
