NBTC Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

Why NBTC Certification Works Differently for Foreign Manufacturers

NBTC — the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission — requires that all telecommunications and RF equipment sold or distributed in Thailand holds valid NBTC approval before it enters the market. This applies regardless of whether the device already holds CE, FCC, or any other national certification.

For foreign manufacturers, two structural requirements shape the entire process:

Which Certification Path Applies to Your Device

NBTC uses three certification pathways. The applicable path depends on the device's frequency, transmit power, and the application it falls under — not on the device category alone.

The Local Representative Requirement

For Class A and Class B certification, NBTC requires that the applicant be a Thai juristic person holding an NBTC trade licence and an NBTC Supplier Code. This is a legal filing requirement — the local representative's name and credentials appear on the application, and they are the registered holder of record with NBTC.

Foreign manufacturers have two options for meeting this requirement:

Test Reports and Documentation Requirements

Documentation requirements differ by certification path. The table below summarises what is required for each path.

Test report requirements in practice

Test reports must reference the applicable NBTC technical standard — citing only CE (EN) or FCC standards without covering the corresponding NBTC TS is not sufficient. In many cases, existing test reports from accredited labs can be supplemented or extended to add NBTC standard references, without requiring a full retest. Zergo's Pre-Submission Review (available as an add-on service) identifies gaps in existing documentation before the application is filed.

NBTC accepts test reports from laboratories accredited under ILAC and APLAC MRA agreements, provided the report covers the applicable NBTC technical standard. In-country testing is not required — reports from accredited labs in the manufacturer's home country are accepted.

The Certification Process: What to Expect

The process follows the same steps for all three certification paths, with timelines varying by path. Foreign manufacturers typically engage Zergo before documentation is finalised — this allows gaps in test reports or missing documents to be identified early.

1. 1

   Documentation Verification

   Zergo reviews the manufacturer's existing technical documentation — test reports, datasheets, product photos — against NBTC requirements for the applicable certification path. Missing or non-compliant documents are identified before any submission is made.

2. 2

   Application Preparation

   Zergo prepares all application documents in the required format. This includes compiling technical specifications, formatting test reports, preparing the authorised declaration, and confirming the local representative documentation is in order.

3. 3

   Submission

   Zergo submits the application on behalf of the manufacturer, using either Zergo's own local representative documentation or the client's appointed representative documentation. All NBTC communication from this point is handled by Zergo.

4. 4

   Authority Review

   NBTC reviews the application. For Class A and Class B, NBTC may issue queries or request additional documentation — Zergo manages all responses. SDoC does not require NBTC review before approval.

5. 5

   Preliminary Approval

   Before the final certificate is issued, NBTC issues a preliminary approval notice. Zergo confirms the details are correct before proceeding to certificate issuance.

6. 6

   Certificate Issuance

   The approval document is issued: an SDoC reference number and SDoC document for SDoC path; a Certificate of Registration and Registration Number for Class A; or an Approval Certificate and Approval Number for Class B. Zergo delivers the complete documentation set to the manufacturer.

For full process documentation, see the NBTC Certification Process guide.

After Certification: Labelling and Compliance

NBTC label requirement

Devices certified under Class A or Class B must carry the official NBTC label. Labels are purchased from NBTC after the approval document is issued, based on the quantity stated in a purchase order or invoice. The label must be affixed to the physical device — it cannot be printed independently.

SDoC conformity statement

Products approved under SDoC must carry a conformity statement on the product or its packaging, referencing the applicable NBTC technical standard. This is distinct from the NBTC label used for Class A and Class B.

Post-certification obligations

The certificate holder is responsible for ensuring the approved product continues to conform to the specifications submitted at the time of application. Material changes to the product's RF characteristics — such as changes to transmit power, frequency bands, or antenna configuration — may require a new or amended application. Zergo's scope covers the certification process and delivery of the approval document; ongoing post-certification compliance responsibility rests with the manufacturer and, where applicable, the local representative.

How Zergo Works with Foreign Manufacturers

Zergo is a regulatory specialist firm, not a documentation service. The distinction matters: Zergo does not simply gather documents and forward them — Zergo manages the entire certification process, including NBTC communication, document preparation, and coordination of the local representative filing.