The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has issued an important clarification regarding the acceptance of ILAC- accredited laboratory test reports under the MTCTE framework.
As per the latest notification dated 29 December 2025, TEC has extended the acceptance of ILAC test reports from non-border sharing countries for select telecom products notified under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) scheme.
Background of the Notification
This update is issued in continuation of TEC Notification No. 5-2/2024-TC/TEC dated 26 June 2025, which allowed conditional acceptance of test reports issued by laboratories accredited by International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) signatories.
To support manufacturers and ease compliance challenges, TEC has now further extended this acceptance timeline.
Key Highlights of the Notification
- ILAC-accredited test reports from non-border sharing countries will be accepted
- Validity extended till: 30 June 2026
- Applicable only for technical parameters of notified products under MTCTE
- Test reports must not be older than two years on the date of submission on the MTCTE portal
- Laboratories must be authorized to use the ILAC MRA Mark
List of Products Covered under This Extension
The extension applies to the following telecom equipment and variants:
- Base Station for Cellular Network
- Active Antenna System – OTA
- Hybrid Active Antenna System
- Base Station 5G NR Type 1-O
- Base Station 5G NR Type 2-O
- Base Station 5G NR Type 1-H
- BTS for GSM
- SIM
- All variants
- VHF/UHF Radio Equipment Systems
- All variants
- E-band Fixed Radio Relay Systems
- All variants
Why This Update Is Important for Manufacturers & Importers
This extension provides temporary regulatory relief for manufacturers and importers who rely on international test laboratories for product compliance. Key benefits include:
- Reduced dependency on limited domestic test labs
- Faster product certification timelines
- Cost optimization for global manufacturers
- Smoother transition toward full MTCTE compliance
However, it is important to note that this relaxation is time-bound, and stakeholders should prepare for full compliance with Indian testing requirements beyond 30 June 2026.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
- Verify whether your product falls under the listed categories
- Ensure test reports are issued by ILAC MRA-authorized labs
- Confirm that reports are not older than two years
- Plan early for Indian lab testing to avoid future compliance delays
Conclusion
The TEC’s decision to extend the acceptance of ILAC test reports till 30 June 2026 reflects a balanced approach toward regulatory compliance and industry readiness. Manufacturers and importers should leverage this window strategically while preparing for long-term MTCTE requirements.
For expert assistance with MTCTE certification, or end-to-end compliance support, feel free to connect with our regulatory experts.
