Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has issued new guidance clarifying when Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) test reductions may be applied under section 5.1 of RSS-102.SAR.MEAS.
Devices that have been tested for 1 g body SAR at 5 mm or less can omit 0 mm extremity/limb SAR testing if all of the following conditions are met:
- - Operating frequencies are below 6 GHz.
- - The same power levels and tune-up tolerances apply for both body and limb use cases.
Test report requirement:
The RF exposure technical brief must include a description showing compliance with all conditions above.
Exceptions (when reduction is not allowed)
The 0 mm limb SAR test reduction cannot be applied to:
The RF exposure technical brief must include a description showing compliance with all conditions above.
Exceptions (when reduction is not allowed)
The 0 mm limb SAR test reduction cannot be applied to:
- - Hand exposure during next-to-head voice calls per section 5.10 of RSS-102.SAR.MEAS.
- - Frequencies above 6 GHz that are evaluated under absorbed power density (APD) limits.
Implications for manufacturers and test labs:
- - Verify test configurations meet the stated conditions before omitting 0 mm limb SAR tests.
- - Update RF exposure briefs to include justification for any applied test reduction.
- - Continue full testing for head and >6 GHz exposure scenarios.
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