The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (RATEL) in Serbia has developed a new Rulebook on Radio Equipment. This Rulebook, which is based on the EU RED Directive, was officially introduced on March 22, 2024. It defines the essential requirements and conditions applicable to radio equipment.

Exemptions from the Rulebook include:

1. Radio equipment used by radio amateurs, unless it is made available on the market
2. Marine equipment
3. Aircraft that are not unmanned, along with their engines, propellers, parts, and non-installed equipment
4. Made-to-order assessment kits designed for professional use, exclusively within research and development facilities
5. Radio equipment exclusively used for public safety, defense, and state security activities

Manufacturers are required to ensure their radio equipment meets all relevant essential requirements through one of the following conformity assessment procedures:

1. Internal control of production per the Rulebook
2. Type inspection, followed by compliance verification based on internal production control
3. Complete quality assurance-based compliance

The declaration of conformity and the certificate of conformity are the documents that show the compliance of equipment to the statement of the Rulebook.

Radio equipment requiring a certificate of conformity:

1. User equipment operating within GSM/UTRA/E-UTRA/NRA IMT cellular networks
2. Unspecified short-range devices (SRD)
3. Short-range devices for locating, tracking, and data collection
4. Broadband data transmission systems (WAS/RLANs)
5. For railway applications
6. For transport and telematics in traffic (TTT)
7. For radiodetermination applications
8. Alarms
9. For model management applications
10. For inductive applications.
11. Radio microphones, hearing aids, and wireless audio and multimedia systems for direct transmission (streaming)
12. For radio frequency identification (RFID) applications
13. Active medical implants and associated peripheral devices
14. Medical data collection devices

Marking Requirements

‍Radio equipment compliant with the essential requirements of the Rulebook must bear a conformity mark that is visible, legible, and indelible, placed either on the equipment or its nameplate or, if not possible or not justified due to the characteristics of the radio equipment, on its packaging or accompanying documentation. Other signs, symbols, inscriptions can be added as long as they do not reduce the visibility, legibility and/or meaning of the conformity mark.

Market Compliance

‍Radio equipment meeting the Rulebook's requirements can be freely marketed in the Republic of Serbia without restrictions.

Radio equipment that does not comply with the provisions of this Rulebook may be publicly displayed and presented at fairs, exhibitions, and similar events in the Republic of Serbia, only with a clear and visibly prominent sign that delivery to the market or release of such equipment is not allowed in the Republic of Serbia.

Effective Dates

‍The Rulebook took effect on March 30, 2024, and will be applicable from June 1, 2024. However, specific provisions in Article 35 will come into effect at later dates. Upon this Rulebook's application, the 2012 Rulebook on Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment will be terminated.

Additionally, it is specified in the Rulebook that Serbian Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) will no longer be mandatory for radio products from December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the CE Mark will be sufficient for radio products in Serbia.

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The information has been prepared by the GMA Consult Group team.

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