EMI/EMC Testing for Telecom, IT and Export Products
EMI/EMC testing checks two things: that your electronic product does not throw out electromagnetic noise that disturbs other equipment, and that it keeps working when noise reaches it. Telecom approvals, tenders and CE marking all ask for this report. We plan the test route, coordinate with an accredited lab and file the report where it has to go.
What it is
EMI (electromagnetic interference) is the unwanted noise a device sends out through the air or its cables. EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is its ability to sit beside other devices without disturbing them or being disturbed. Emission tests measure the noise your product gives off. Immunity tests hit it with static, surges and radio signals to see if it keeps working.
Here is the catch: India has no stand-alone EMC licence. The report feeds another approval. For telecom equipment, TEC’s Essential Requirements carry a section headed “EMI/EMC Requirements” that points to the TEC standard TEC/SD/DD/EMC-221/05/OCT-16. That standard takes emission limits from CISPR 22 (and CISPR 11 for ISM equipment) and immunity tests from IEC 61000-4-2, -4-3, -4-4, -4-5, -4-6 and -4-11. For Europe, the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU applies before a CE mark can go on the product.
Who it applies to
Telecom and network equipment makers
Routers, GPON gear, switches and other equipment notified under MTCTE need an EMC report against the TEC standard for the TEC certificate. Foreign brands apply through an Authorised Indian Representative.
Exporters to the European Union
If you ship under your Import Export Code to Europe, every electrical or electronic product must meet the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. The manufacturer keeps a test report and technical file, signs the EU Declaration of Conformity and then fixes the CE mark.
Tender suppliers and defence vendors
Picture a Faridabad maker of power-supply panels bidding for a PSU order. Government, PSU and defence buyers often write EMI/EMC tests into the tender specification, including many listings after GeM seller registration. No report, no technical qualification.
Why it matters
Keep your approval moving
A TEC application needs a report for each Essential Requirement, EMC included. So does a CE technical file.
Avoid costly field failures
A product that resets when a motor starts nearby comes back as a warranty claim. Fixing it at prototype stage costs far less than a recall.
Reuse one report across markets
Indian telecom rules and European rules both draw on CISPR and IEC 61000 methods. A well-planned lab visit can give data you reuse.
Emission vs immunity tests
Most EMC reports cover these tests; limits depend on the product class and the standard your approval names.
| Test | Type | Reference used in the TEC EMC standard |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted and radiated emission | Emission | CISPR 22 (CISPR 11 for ISM equipment) |
| Electrostatic discharge | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-2 |
| Radiated RF field | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-3 |
| Fast transient / burst | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-4 |
| Surge | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-5 |
| Conducted RF disturbance | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-6 |
| Voltage dips and interruptions | Immunity | IEC 61000-4-11 |
The TEC standard splits equipment into Class B, meant mainly for homes (terminal equipment, personal computers, portable devices), and Class A, which meets the Class A limits but not Class B and may cause radio interference in a home. The GPON Essential Requirements, for example, ask for Class A of CISPR 22 or CISPR 32.
Documents required
About the product
- Model number, variants and a short technical description
- Block diagram, power rating and list of ports and cables
- User manual and intended use (home, office or industrial)
For the lab
- Test samples with power adapters and cables
- Operating modes to run during the test, and any test software
- The standard or Essential Requirement the report must follow
From the business
- Certificate of incorporation or registration and GSTIN
- Authorisation letter for the person dealing with the lab
- For foreign brands, the Indian representative’s authorisation
How it works
Find the rule that asks for EMC
We read your target approval (MTCTE, a tender clause or CE) and note the exact EMC standard and product class.
Pick an accredited lab
We shortlist labs whose accreditation covers that standard. STQC’s EMI/EMC facilities, for instance, are at ETDC Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai, and ERTL (North) Delhi and ERTL Mumbai.
Prepare samples and the test plan
We help assemble samples, cables and operating-mode notes, and agree the test plan and quote with the lab first.
Track tests, fixes and re-tests
The lab runs the tests. In practice, a Noida router start-up might fail radiated emission on day one, add a ferrite and pass next week; we keep the paperwork in step.
Use the report in your approval
We check model numbers and standard references in the final report, then file it on the MTCTE portal, in your bid or in your CE technical file.
Timelines
Lab booking
Depends on the lab’s queue. Book early; accredited chambers stay busy.
Testing
Set by the lab for your product and test list. A failed test adds a fix-and-retest cycle.
After the report
The report goes into the TEC application, the tender or the CE file. For TEC, the certificate itself is valid for ten years once granted.
What happens if you skip it
Your telecom sales stop
Notified telecom equipment cannot be sold or deployed without a valid TEC certificate under Rule 8(2) of the 2025 Telecom Rules, and the certificate needs the EMC report.
CE goods held at the EU border
Without proof of EMC conformity, your EU buyer cannot lawfully sell the goods, and national authorities can act.
Your tender bid is rejected
A missing report, or one from a lab outside the accepted list, usually fails technical evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
Is EMI/EMC testing mandatory in India?
It is mandatory wherever a rule or contract asks for it, not as a stand-alone licence. For telecom equipment notified under MTCTE, TEC’s Essential Requirements include an EMI/EMC section, so the certificate needs an EMC report against TEC/SD/DD/EMC-221/05/OCT-16. Government and defence tenders often demand one in the specification. For other products, check what the approval you need asks for. We can read your case and tell you exactly which test applies.
Which standard does TEC use for EMC?
TEC uses its own standard TEC/SD/DD/EMC-221/05/OCT-16, titled Electromagnetic Compatibility Standard for Telecommunication Equipment. It takes emission limits from CISPR 22 (CISPR 11 for ISM equipment) and immunity tests from IEC 61000-4-2, -4-3, -4-4, -4-5, -4-6 and -4-11. Individual Essential Requirements then name the class; the GPON ER asks for Class A of CISPR 22 or CISPR 32. We confirm the exact class for your product before any lab is booked.
What is the difference between Class A and Class B?
Class B is for equipment used mainly in homes, such as terminal equipment, portable devices and personal computers, and has tighter emission limits. Class A covers other telecom equipment that meets the Class A limits but not Class B, and which may cause radio interference in a domestic setting. Office or exchange equipment often falls in Class A. Getting the class right first saves a re-test, and we check it against your Essential Requirement before testing starts.
Does Taxhint test the product?
No. Testing is done only by accredited laboratories; we do not run a lab or employ test engineers. Our part is the regulatory side: working out which standard applies, shortlisting labs whose accreditation covers it, preparing the business documents, tracking the test and filing the report in your TEC application, tender or CE file. Technical work stays with experts, paperwork with us.
Can a STQC lab do EMC testing?
Yes. STQC, under MeitY, lists EMI/EMC testing at ETDC Pune, ETDC Hyderabad, ETDC Bengaluru, ETDC Chennai, ERTL (North) Delhi and ERTL Mumbai. STQC states these facilities are accredited and recognised by NABL, FCC, UL and SASO, and follow the TEC EMC standard. Private accredited labs also test. Whichever lab you pick, its scope must cover your exact standard; we help compare options.
Is the EMC report the same as BIS registration?
No. BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme is a separate requirement for many electronic goods and centres on safety standards such as IS 13252 for IT equipment. An EMC report deals with interference and immunity. A router, for instance, may need a safety test for BIS or TEC and an EMC test for TEC. We map every test your product needs at the start, so nothing is missed later.
What does CE marking need for EMC?
Products sold in the European Union must meet the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. The manufacturer tests the product, usually against harmonised standards, builds a technical file, signs an EU Declaration of Conformity and then fixes the CE mark. Most products use internal production control (Module A). An Indian exporter can use an accredited Indian lab for the tests. We help line up the report and file, so your buyer’s checks pass smoothly.
How long is an EMC test report valid?
An EMC report describes one model in one build, so it stays useful until the design changes. A new circuit board, power supply or enclosure can change the result and may need a fresh test. For TEC, the procedure limits how old a lab report can be when you apply, and the certificate itself runs ten years. Tell us what changed in your product and we will tell you whether a re-test is needed.
What if my product fails the EMC test?
A failure is common at the first attempt and is fixable. The lab report shows which test failed and by how much, and your design team usually adds filtering, shielding or better grounding. The lab then re-tests only what is needed or the full set, as its rules require. We keep the timeline, samples and fresh paperwork moving, so a single failure does not stall the whole approval.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Lab charges are quoted by the lab for your product and test list, and are paid to the lab directly. Any portal fee (such as the TEC MTCTE fee) is charged as notified by that authority.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product details and the approval you are chasing, and we will map the EMC tests and the lab route.