[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Canada ISED Spectrum Policy CanadaRadioWireless # Canada ISED Spectrum Policy: Unlicensed Bands, Power Limits, and Radio Rules for Hardware Makers ISED Canada — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — manages the radio frequency spectrum under the Radiocommunication Act. Most consumer and industrial wireless products operate in licence-exempt bands under Radio Standards Specifications (RSS) that prescribe frequency, power, and operating condition rules. Choosing the wrong band, exceeding the allowed EIRP, or missing a mandatory automatic frequency control requirement can result in a product failing ISED certification — or, if it slipped through, an enforcement order requiring recall. Understanding how Canada's spectrum rules work, where they align with and diverge from US FCC Part 15, and what RSS documents govern the most common wireless technologies is essential for any hardware team building wireless products for the Canadian market. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fcanada-ised-spectrum-policy) At a glance Regulator ISED Canada Key RSS for Wi-Fi/BT RSS-247 Label format IC: XXXXX-MODEL DFS required 5.25–5.35 GHz, 5.47–5.725 GHz ## Canada's spectrum framework for wireless hardware ### Radio Standards Specifications (RSS) ISED publishes RSS documents that define the technical requirements for radio equipment in specific frequency bands or use cases. RSS-Gen is the general certification requirements document; RSS-247 covers 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; RSS-210 covers licence-exempt radio apparatus for a wide range of other applications. Each RSS specifies the power limits, modulation constraints, and test methods required for ISED certification. ### RSS-247: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth RSS-247 is the primary rule for Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax) and Bluetooth (BR/EDR and BLE) in Canada. It aligns substantially with FCC Part 15.247, which means products certified under FCC Part 15.247 can often use the same test data for RSS-247 ISED certification — but there are Canadian-specific deviations (notably for 5 GHz DFS requirements) that must be verified. ### 5 GHz DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) Products operating in the 5.25–5.35 GHz and 5.47–5.725 GHz bands must implement DFS and TPC (Transmit Power Control) to protect weather radar systems. Canada's DFS requirements align with ETSI EN 301 893 in some respects but have Canadian-specific radar waveforms that must be included in DFS testing. This is a common compliance failure point for products that passed FCC DFS testing but weren't retested for Canadian-specific waveforms. ### Cellular IoT bands (LTE-M, NB-IoT, Cat-1) Cellular IoT modules operate in licensed spectrum and require ISED ICES/RSS certification as radio apparatus. The module manufacturer typically holds the ISED certification; device makers using certified modules embed the IC (Industry Canada) ID in their documentation and may only need to verify antenna performance rather than re-certifying the radio. ### Canada-US border treatment for radio products The Canada-US Reciprocal Arrangement for Radio Equipment allows US-certified products (under FCC rules) to be used in Canada without separate ISED certification in many categories — but only for products used by US citizens temporarily in Canada, not for commercial sale. Hardware destined for sale in Canada must carry ISED certification, not just FCC authorization. ## Getting ISED spectrum compliance right: step by step 01 Identify which RSS document(s) govern your product's wireless technology and frequency band(s). RSS-247 for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, RSS-210 for other licence-exempt apparatus, RSS-Gen for general requirements. A product with multiple radios may span multiple RSS documents. 02 Determine whether existing FCC test data covers the Canadian requirements. For 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, FCC Part 15.247 and RSS-247 requirements are close enough that the same test data often satisfies both. For 5 GHz Wi-Fi, verify DFS test coverage for Canadian-specific waveforms before assuming FCC DFS data suffices. 03 Select an ISED-recognized Certification Body (CB). ISED maintains a public list of recognized CBs — including labs accredited under the ISED-recognized scheme. The CB reviews test data and documentation and issues the ISED certification number (IC ID). 04 Prepare the technical submission package: test reports meeting RSS requirements, an RF exposure assessment (SAR or MPE as applicable), antenna specifications, and the hardware/firmware description. Include a block diagram showing the radio architecture. 05 Label the product with the IC ID in the format 'IC: XXXXX-MODELNAME'. The label must appear on the product or its packaging if the product is too small for direct labeling. The IC ID must also appear in the user documentation alongside the regulatory statement. 06 Maintain the certification through the product lifecycle. Firmware updates that affect radio parameters (transmit power, channel selection, modulation) may require re-certification or a change notification to ISED. The CB that issued the original certification advises on whether a change triggers a new application. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is ISED certification the same as IC certification? Yes — 'IC' (Industry Canada) is the legacy name; the agency was reorganized and rebranded as ISED in 2015. The certification numbers still use the 'IC:' prefix on product labels for historical continuity, and you'll see both terms used interchangeably in industry documentation and regulatory references. ### Can I use FCC certification to sell a radio product in Canada? No — FCC authorization certifies compliance with US rules under the Radiocommunication Act equivalent. Products sold commercially in Canada require ISED certification under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada). However, for products that have both FCC and ISED certifications using the same test data, the incremental cost and time for Canadian certification is typically modest. ### What is the ISED SAR limit and does it differ from the FCC limit? The Canadian SAR limit for handheld devices is 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue — identical to the FCC's limit. For fixed or desktop devices, MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) limits apply. The test methods align with IEEE C95.1 standards. For products already tested for FCC SAR, the same test data can typically be used for ISED, subject to minor documentation differences. ### What happens if a product is sold in Canada without ISED certification? ISED has enforcement powers under the Radiocommunication Act to order products off the market, issue notices of violation with monetary penalties, and in serious cases refer matters for prosecution. The practical risk for hardware companies is a CBSA hold at the border and an ISED compliance order — followed by a costly product withdrawal if certification can't be obtained quickly. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇨🇦 Canada roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇨🇦 Canada compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/47-canada-ised-ic-certification-radio-equipment)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/47-canada-ised-ic-certification-radio-equipment) Related guides * [Canada ISED Radio CertificationCanada ISED radio equipment certification: RSS standards, accredited CB scheme test reports, IC ID number, and the Spectrum Direct online certification portal.](/guides/canada-ised-radio-certification) * [Canada Electrical Safety CertificationWhy there's no federal electrical safety mark in Canada, and what Ontario ESA, Quebec RBQ, and BC each require.](/guides/canada-electrical-safety-certification) * [UAE TDRA Type ApprovalHow TDRA type approval works for radio and telecom equipment in the UAE: supplier registration, risk tiers, and lab testing.](/guides/uae-tdra-type-approval)