Automotive telematics: ISED certification and the Canadian Representative
Automotive radio equipment is certified in Canada under the same RSS framework as any other device: RSS-130-series for cellular telematics units, RSS-247 for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, RSS-210 for keyless entry, tire-pressure and other short-range links, and RSS-251 for vehicular radar. The applicant is usually a tier-one supplier outside Canada, so a Canadian Representative is required, and vehicle programme lives of a decade or more make the appointment's duration matter.
What is specific to this category
The applicant is the supplier, not the automaker. Telematics control units, infotainment head units and key fobs are typically certified by the tier-one or tier-two supplier that makes them, in its own name, and then fitted by the OEM. The supplier, located in Germany, Japan, Korea, the United States or elsewhere, is the one that needs a Canadian Representative under RSP-100 section 4.1. The OEM's Canadian subsidiary does not satisfy the requirement for the supplier's certification.
Multi-radio units. A TCU may combine LTE/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GNSS; a head unit adds more. Depending on design, these are one certification or several, and each IC certification number needs its own representative letter. Modules certified by their makers (RSP-100 section 8) carry their own IC numbers and their makers' representatives. See one representative letter per IC ID.
Programme life. A vehicle platform ships for five to seven years and parts remain on sale for a decade after. RSP-100 requires the representative for as long as the product is offered in Canada, which for automotive parts is a long time. See how long must a Canadian Representative be appointed.
Change control and part numbers. Automotive part numbering produces many variants of one radio design. CBs generally accept them under one certification with multiple models or HVINs where the radio is unchanged; ask for letter reissues as part numbers are added.
Aftermarket trackers and dash cams. Sold direct to consumers and fleets, these are ordinary consumer-device certifications with the same representative requirement; see smart home devices for the modular-approval points.
Radar and V2X. Vehicular radar under RSS-251 and any V2X equipment are certified under their own standards; the representative requirement is unchanged.
Typical certification path
Lab tests to the applicable RSS standards, RSS-102 exposure (usually exemption for in-vehicle units at the relevant distances), RSS-Gen. FCC and ISED campaigns run together. CB issues the IC number. The supplier, if outside Canada, orders the Canadian Representative letter at application. Procurement teams at OEMs increasingly ask to see the letter in the supplier's technical file.
Sources. RSP-100, Issue 12, sections 4.1, 8 and 10. RSS-130 family, RSS-247, RSS-210, RSS-251, RSS-102 and RSS-Gen as published by ISED; confirm current issues with your lab.