[Argentina] Key Changes and Impact of the ENACOM Certification Framework (Res. No. 57/2026)

The National Communications Authority (ENACOM) of Argentina recently published Resolution No. 57/2026 in the Official Gazette. This resolution will supersede the existing provisions and significantly update the Type Approval framework for Radio Frequency (RF) equipment.

To ensure that products can continue to enter the Argentine market smoothly after the new regulations take effect, we have summarized the key changes of the new framework below to notify all customers and their relevant departments.

1. Effective Date of the New Framework:
   The new RAMATEL regulatory framework will officially take effect on September 1, 2026. This means that prior to this date, the changes described below will not yet be formally implemented, and the current ENACOM review process will remain unchanged.
2. Labeling and Online Sales Requirements:
   According to Resolution 586/2023, the RAMATEL compliance label remains a mandatory requirement. In addition, for online sales platforms, both sellers and platform operators must clearly display the corresponding RAMATEL ID number on the product page.
3. Introduction of Third-Party Certification Bodies:
   In the future, local third-party Certification Bodies will be responsible for issuing Certificates of Conformity. These bodies must obtain accreditation under IRAM ISO/IEC 17065 from the Argentine Accreditation Body (Organismo Argentino de Acreditación, OAA).
4. Testing Laboratory Qualification Requirements:
   Consistent with long-standing practice, controlled wireless interfaces will still generally require mandatory local testing. However, under the new certification framework, local laboratories must obtain IRAM ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from the OAA.
   Existing laboratories already recognized by ENACOM will have a two-year grace period to obtain this accreditation.
5. Acceptance of Family Approval:
   The new regulatory framework will accept the concept of “Family Models”, allowing multiple related models to be listed under a single ENACOM Type Approval certificate. Based on confirmation from local sources, there is currently no limit on the number of models within a series, provided that the following conditions are met:
   • Same brand
   • Same manufacturer
   • Same manufacturing technology
   • Same functionality
   • Same applicable standard
   • Same technical characteristics of the telecommunications interface (e.g., operating frequency, transmission power, bandwidth, etc.)
6. Product Classification:
   Telecommunications equipment certification remains mandatory; however, products will be divided into two main categories:
   • Consumer products (for general public use). It has been confirmed that the vast majority of devices supporting wireless interfaces such as WLAN/WWAN/NFC, including wireless modules themselves, fall into this category.• Professional-use products. Based on current information, equipment known to fall under this category includes radio infrastructure equipment and certain medical devices.
7. Changes to Certificate Validity:
   ENACOM Type Approval certificates will no longer have an expiration date. However, the following supporting measures will apply:
   • Consumer products:
   Must undergo Market Surveillance every two years, conducted by a certification body.
   Argentina’s existing Modular Approval principles will continue to apply, and the RAMATEL labeling requirements remain unchanged. End-product manufacturers or brand owners must ensure that the wireless modules used in their products continue to pass the biennial market surveillance in order to maintain compliance in Argentina. If the module has obtained ENACOM approval and remains valid, the end product incorporating that module will not need to apply for an additional ENACOM certificate.• Professional-use products:
   After obtaining the certificate for the first time, no further market surveillance procedures are required.
8. Transitional Arrangements for Existing Certificates:
   ENACOM certificates that are currently valid will have their validity extended by three years until February 26, 2029. Certificates expiring from that date onward must follow the new regulatory framework for renewal or new applications.

The above reflects our current understanding of the relevant requirements. Apart from the changes described above, under the upcoming new certification framework ENACOM will still generally require local testing (foreign reports are not accepted), while the RAMATEL labeling requirements and modular approval rules remain unchanged.

Before the new framework officially takes effect on September 1, the authority may still issue further updates in response to developments or public feedback. We will continue to monitor the latest information and share confirmed updates with everyone.