Certification in Canada

The table below explains key details for buying and selling GPS devices in Canada. Along with the names of the organizations, the table also includes a summary, of each agency’s certification requirements, testing labs, and proof of certification, if known. For more detailed information, please see below or contact the organization with specific questions.

Note: cellular certifications are generally optional in Canada, so contact your provider to learn more about their requirements and standards. In some cases, certification may only be necessary for certain devices or not at all.

Organization	Requirements	Testing labs	Key takeaways	Valid evidence
Federal level
ISED	ISED Standards ISED Certification Overview	ISED-accredited testing labs	ISED (formerly IC) certifies communication devices for entry into the Canadian market. A product cannot be sold in Canada without this certification. After certification, the device is issued an individual ISED ID number “XXXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY”, where X is the Company Number and Y is the Unique Product Number.	ISED marking on device, OR ISED ID
State level
Dept of Hazardous Substances	RoHS	Various accredited labs	The Canadian Department of Hazardous Substances ensures that products comply with limits on harmful products, particularly those common in the electronics industry like lead and mercury. Although RoHS isn’t enforced at the federal level, this certification is required in many other regions and countries including the EU, Japan, and parts of the US.	RoHS label on the device is required RoHS certificate
Cellular operators
PTCRB	PTCRB NAPRD03	Primary / associate labs recognized by PTCRB program¹	The PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) was established in 1997 to test all wireless communication devices (mobile phones, M2M modules, IoT devices, etc) for compatibility with US cellular standards. A product must have this certification in order to be approved for the North American cellular network market. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) is responsible for processing PTCRB tests. To certify a device, PTCRB conducts a series of tests to determine that the radio signal is at the proper frequency. Otherwise, it might interfere with other signals or send unwanted data. Then, the SIM is inspected for correct installation.	Database of PTCRB certified devices PTCRB certification notice
Rogers	Contact organization	Rogers IoT test kit	Rogers certifies wireless devices to confirm they’re compliant with radio frequencies and data requirements. This certification is required for certain devices to be deployed on Rogers’ networks.	Contact organization for database of Rogers certified devices Rogers Device Certification letter
Telus	Contact organization	Contact organization	IoT devices that are HSPA, LTE, or LTE-M compatible should work on the Telus network without additional action, so certification isn’t typically required.	Database of Telus certified devices
SaskTel	SaskTel requirements	SaskTel M2M test kit Technical Assessment / Approval	SaskTel has minimum operation standards for a device to work on their networks. The company can perform a Technical Assessment, which confirms that the device’s technology and frequency bands are network compatible, or a more in-depth Technical Approval to receive customer support. SaskTel M2M Management Centre handles all inquiries after certification and deployment.	Database of SaskTel certified devices
Bell Mobility	Contact organization	Bell IoT test kit	Bell’s Hardware Certification Program ensures that devices offer a high-quality user experience and operate properly on their networks.	Contact organization for database of Bell Mobility certified devices

¹Consortium of North American cellular operators including Rogers, Telus, and other major Canadian networks.

Required certification labels in Canada

Products need to display all relevant markings from each agency that issues a certification. In Canada, the device may bear the former IC label or simply the newer ISED ID number, depending on when the tracker was certified. The latter allows you to search the ISED database for additional details about the tests, product documentation, and more.

Program

Label

Safety

Wireless

Meaning

Canada

ISED¹

✓

ISED Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development—formerly IC, or Industry Canada) approves communication devices for sale in Canada. The country’s Radio Standards Specifications define the standards for approval, while Foreign Certification Bodies (FCBs) certify products outside of Canada and issue Technical Acceptance Certificates for all approved devices. This certificate is required to enter the Canadian market.

Note: Prior FCC approval can help expedite ISED certification.

¹Device may display IC/ISED ID number instead of label as proof of certification.

Optional certification labels in Canada

Program	Label	Safety	Wireless	Meaning
Canada
CSA		✓		CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certifies devices for both North American and international markets. Many of its standards and testing protocols are similar to those implemented by the FCC and UL. Like UL certification, CSA testing is optional for entry into the Canadian market.

How to check if a GPS tracker is certified by cellular operators?

Visit the sites below to explore each cellular operator’s database of certified devices or reach to them for more details. Since cellular certification isn’t a requirement, some companies may not provide information regarding this process.

If you can’t find your device, please contact your manufacturer for further information about this issue.