If you’re an electronic device manufacturer, you’re familiar with the importance of compliance marks for your device. These marks, such as FCC in the United States and CE in Europe, act as indicators that your device is legally compliant to enter a specific market area.

One common question that arises regarding compliance marks is whether it’s okay to sell your device in Canada if it has a CE mark, or CE certification.

The short answer is “no.” Canada has its own system of regulation for electronic devices, and while the CE mark will provide you with access to the European Economic Area, the CE mark doesn’t offer any market access in Canada.

The good news is that getting your device approved for Canada and gaining the ISED mark is usually a simple process, especially if you already have an FCC and/or CE marking.

Below, we’ve explained why the CE certification isn’t accepted in Canada, as well as what the Canadian government requires for you to sell your electronic device within its borders.

We’ve also explained how you can ensure your device complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) requirements for market access.

For more information about testing and compliance for your device, you can contact our team online or call us at 866-540-5287. Our team of engineers and compliance specialists can help you with your questions and, if required, provide a free quote for your device. 

CE Certification and Canadian Market Access

CE certification is a declaration that your device meets the EU’s requirements for health, safety and environmental protection. 

For an electronic device, achieving CE compliance usually means demonstrating that a device complies with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive and/or the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

Achieving CE certification allows you to affix the CE mark to your device. This mark functions like a regulatory passport for your device, allowing it to go on sale in all countries that make up the European Economic Area (EEA).

While CE certification demonstrates that your device complies with European standards and is an essential part of accessing the European market, it does not automatically grant you access to the Canadian market. 

Canada has its own regulatory system for electronics, with regulations that focus on checking a device cannot interfere with wireless and telecommunications networks.

These regulations are managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — a governmental organization that’s responsible for ensuring electromagnetic compatibility.

Even if your device is CE certified, you’ll need to ensure it complies with all ISED requirements in order to sell it in Canada. 

How ISED Testing and Certification Works

In order to get ISED certification and add the ISED mark to your device, you’ll need to complete testing to demonstrate your device meets the requirements of ISED’s regulatory standards, such as ISES-001, ICES-002 and/or ICES-003.

The requirements for ISED compliance and similar to the testing requirements for FCC rules like Part 15. Because of this, it’s usually cost-effective to complete ISED compliance for your device at the same time as FCC testing and compliance.

Achieving ISED compliance involves the following steps:

1. Understand the requirements. Before starting testing, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the specific ISED regulations that apply to your device. Our team can help you to understand the specific ISED/FCC regulations your device will need to comply with.
2. Select an accredited testing lab. In order to achieve ISED compliance, your device needs to be tested in an accredited lab. Our ANSI-accredited lab can complete your testing and verify that your device is fully compliant with ISED regulations.
3. Prepare your device for testing. Prior to starting testing, you’ll need to ensure your device is prepared. This typically means preparing specifications and providing a full range of documentation for your device, such as manuals and technical documents.
4. Submit your device for testing. Once your device is ready to test, you can submit it and start testing. We work with clients across the United States and around the world, including in Canada, Europe and other countries.
5. Apply for ISED certification. After successful testing, a Foreign Certification Body can complete the certification process and verify that your device has an ISED number and the rights to display the ISED mark.
6. Label your device for full compliance. After receiving certification, you’ll need to label your device and its packaging. Our team can help you understand the requirements for ISED labeling and ensure your device has the ISED mark affixed properly.

Contact Us About ISED Testing & Compliance

Although the CE mark allows your device to enter the European market, it doesn’t provide you with access to the Canadian market. To sell your device in Canada, you’ll need to verify that it complies with the requirements of ISED, Canada’s equivalent regulator.

As an accredited electronics testing lab, we can complete testing for your device and help you get the ISED mark required to enter the Canadian marketplace.

To request a quote for testing your device, or to ask our team about the testing and compliance process, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.