Kuwait Type Approvals - Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority

Type approval in Kuwait is managed by the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

The process in Kuwait is generally streamlined compared to its neighbors like Saudi Arabia or the UAE, relying heavily on European standards without the need for a complex local testing regime.

1. Regulatory Authority

• Authority Name: Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

• Mandate: Controls the import and sale of all radio and telecommunications terminal equipment (RTTE).

• Scope: Mandatory for all devices emitting radio frequencies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular, Radar) or connecting to the public network.

2. Key Requirements

• Local Representative: Not Strictly Required for Certification.

  • Unlike Saudi Arabia or Iraq, you do not need a local Kuwaiti license holder to obtain the Type Approval certificate itself. Foreign manufacturers can hold the certificate.

  • Note: You will still need a local importer to physically clear the goods through customs, but the certificate does not need to be in their name.

• Testing: No in-country testing is required.

  • CITRA validates compliance based on foreign technical reports (EU/RED).

• Validity: 3 Years. (This was updated from 1 year to 3 years in late 2021).

• Lead Time: 4–6 weeks.

3. Required Documentation

The application is purely a document review. You must submit:

• Test Reports (EU/RED):

  • RF: EN 300 328, EN 301 893, etc.

  • EMC: EN 301 489 series.

  • Safety: IEC/EN 62368-1.

  • SAR: For body-worn devices.

• Declaration of Conformity (DoC): Signed by the manufacturer (referencing the RED directive).

• Technical Datasheet & Photos: Showing the device internals and externals.

• Block Diagram/Schematics: Required for the technical file.

4. Technical Frequency & Network Notes

• Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz): Approved.

  • Allowed Band: 5925–6425 MHz.

  • Power Limit: 200mW (23 dBm) for Low Power Indoor (LPI) use.

• 2G/3G Ban (Important):

  • As of September 2023, CITRA has banned the import of devices that support only 2G or 3G technology.

  • All cellular devices must support at least 4G (LTE) to be approved.

  • 3G Sunset: CITRA is actively phasing out 3G networks (scheduled to be fully off by mid-2025).

• 5G: Approved and widely deployed (Bands n78, n41, etc.).

5. Labeling Requirements

• CITRA Specific Mark: None.

  • There is no specific CITRA logo or ID number required on the product or packaging.

• Standard Marking:

  • CE Mark: Since approval is based on European compliance, the CE mark should be present.

  • Origin Mark: Customs strictly enforces “Made in [Country]” labeling (e.g., “Made in China”). This must be non-removable (e.g., printed or etched, not just a sticker).

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