ICES-003 Issue 7 Standard Updates

ICES-003 Issue 7, which is the product standard for Information Technology Equipment (ITE), was released in 2020 by ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada). The overall structure changed significantly. It is mandatory to update compliance information for ISED to continue to mark your product as compliant. Action is required by October 15th, 2021.

1. The title of the standard was changed from Information Technology Equipment (Including Digital Apparatus) — Limits and Methods of Measurement to Information Technology Equipment (including Digital Apparatus).
2. The radiated emissions limits were increased, becoming less stringent for some frequency ranges (see tables). The more stringent limits from CAN/CSA-CISPR 22 can no longer be used, nor can limits from CAN/CSA-CISPR32. Limits above 1 GHz were not changed, other than Class A limits are now defined at 3 meters instead of 10 meters. 
3. General requirements on labeling and test reports (clauses 7 and 8) have been revised to reference ICES-Gen.
4. Reference to CAN/CSA-CISPR 22 as a test method has been replaced by CAN/CSA-CISPR 32:17.
5. Added the requirement that products falling under ICES-003 as ITE products that also contain Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) capabilities must meet RSS-216.
6. Added information on the applicability of ICES-003 to power supplies, essentially stating that those marketed with an ITE device shall be tested with the device, while those marketed separately fall under ICES-001 instead. 
7. Clarified exemptions to ICES-003, including stating that while electronics for the main functions of appliances are exempt, electronics not contained in the appliance (e.g. thermostat) or not directly related to the main function (e.g. digital display on the exterior of a refrigerator) are not exempt, potentially meaning testing is now required.

The transition period for compliance to the new edition ends October 15th, 2021, meaning that ICES-003 is mandatory as of that date. Per Section 5.2 of ICES-Gen, all test reports issued for ICES-003 Issue 6 must be updated to demonstrate compliance with Issue 7 in order for products to maintain compliance to the Canadian regulations. Contact our experts to lean how we can help to guide you through the process.

Limit tables for below 1 GHz from ICES-003 Issue 6 and the now disallowed CAN/CSA-CISPR 22

No major changes between these two standards would affect any testing

There are no major changes between these two standards that would affect any testing. Normative references now fall in line with CISPR22 being replaced by CISPR32, to which Element is fully accredited. Whilst the limits section has been streamlined with alternative limits having been removed, the limits themselves are either identical or slightly less stringent than those in issue 6 and both CISPR and ANSI test methods continue to be permitted.

Devices that have wireless charging now also need to comply with RSS-216

The main addition of note is that any devices that have wireless charging now also need to comply with the standard RSS-216, Wireless Power Transfer Devices.

Specific exemptions to ICES-003 clarified

In regard to the applicability of ICES-003 to power supplies, those marketed with an ITE device shall be tested with the device, while those marketed separately fall under ICES-001 instead. Specific exemptions to ICES-003 were also clarified, including stating that while electronics for the main functions of appliances are exempt, electronics not contained in the appliance, such as a thermostat, or not directly related to the main function, for example, the digital display on the exterior of a refrigerator, are not exempt. This could potentially mean testing is now required.

Test reports issued for ICES-003 Issue 6 must be updated to demonstrate compliance with Issue 7

General requirements on labeling and test reports have been revised to reference ICES-Gen. All test reports issued for ICES-003 Issue 6 must be updated to demonstrate compliance with Issue 7 in order for products to maintain compliance with Canadian regulations.

If you would like one of Element’s experts to review an existing report and update it to demonstrate compliance with Issue 7, including any additional test results or engineering analysis that may be required, please contact Element today.

For support with product compliance advice, testing, and ensuring compliance to ICES-003 Issue 7, CISPR32: 2015, and/or RSS-216, please get in touch.