With the rapid adoption of intelligent connected vehicles, in-car systems like T-Box, smart center consoles, and navigation units have become the backbone of automotive intelligence, powered by wireless technologies including 4G/5G connectivity, Wi-Fi/BLE, and Beidou/GPS navigation. While these integrated wireless features deliver smart convenience, they also subject your products to stringent national radio management regulations, requiring SRRC certification for legal market distribution.
1、Cognitive SRRC: The Radio Compliance ID Card of Vehicle Information Products
SRRC (State Radio Regulation of China), the model approval certification for radio transmitting equipment, is a mandatory market access system enforced by the Radio Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Since June 1, 1999, all radio transmitting equipment produced, sold, or used within China must pass this certification and obtain the "Radio Transmitting Equipment Type Approval Certificate". The unique CMIIT ID approval code must be marked in a prominent position on the product. The certificate is valid for 5 years, and renewal must be applied for 6 months before expiration.
For in-vehicle infotainment systems, any device integrating wireless modules such as 4G/5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Beidou/GPS (with transmission capability) is subject to mandatory SRRC certification, regardless of brand, power level, or whether it is imported or domestically produced.
2、Why Must It Be Done? The Hard Requirement of SRRC Certification for Vehicle Information Products
SRRC certification is the minimum requirement for compliant operation of in-vehicle infotainment systems. Failure to obtain certification may result in regulatory penalties and multiple operational risks in the market.
1. Legal requirements: Under the Radio Regulations of the People's Republic of China, all electronic devices with wireless transmission capabilities are subject to SRRC supervision, and in-vehicle products integrating wireless functions are classified as mandatory certification items.
2. Unverified severe consequences
l Administrative Penalty Risks: Pursuant to Article 76 of the Radio Regulations, the production or sale of radio transmitting equipment without type approval shall be subject to corrective orders issued by the radio regulatory authority, with a fine ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 yuan. Failure to comply will result in confiscation of the equipment and a fine of 200,000 to 1,000,000 yuan.
l Market access barriers: offline channels refusing to accept products, e-commerce platforms forcibly removing items and deducting points, and impaired bidding qualification reviews.
l Customs interception, import/export products clearance blocked
Imported in-car audio systems failing SRRC certification will face immediate customs seizure. For products exported for domestic sales, any radio frequency parameters not compliant with Chinese standards require hardware reconfiguration and certification; otherwise, they cannot be sold domestically.
3、Core Test Items of SRRC Certification for In-Vehicle Products
Automotive in-vehicle systems operate in specialized environments that directly impact driving safety, requiring more rigorous certification testing than standard consumer electronics. The evaluation focuses on three key aspects: radio frequency performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and automotive-specific requirements. All tests must be conducted in CNAS/CMA-certified laboratories approved by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
1. Radio frequency parameter testing (core test items): Evaluates frequency parameters, transmission power (compliant with China's frequency band limits), spurious emissions, and bandwidth/adjacent channel power to ensure communication quality and spectrum compliance.
2. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing: The equipment is certified to comply with national standards, ensuring it eliminates harmful interference and resists external disturbances from the vehicle's high-voltage systems and motors, thereby preventing communication disconnections and positioning errors.
3. Automotive-specific tests (vehicle-mounted system requirements): including high and low temperature tests, vehicle vibration simulation tests, while confirming the use of China's open frequency bands to avoid misusing military/unopened frequency bands.
4、SRRC Certification Process for In-Vehicle Products
1. Verify requirements: Confirm the frequency bands and technical specifications for the product's wireless functionality.
2. Prepare materials: organize the complete set of application documents and technical documents.
3. Sample testing: RF and related tests are conducted in a laboratory accredited by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
4. Submit application: Submit application forms, test reports, and other materials through the MIIT online system.
5. Certification Review: Upon approval, the SRRC Type Approval Certificate and CMIIT ID will be issued.
6. Compliant listing: The product tag bears the CMIIT ID to complete regulatory compliance for market entry.
5、Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls: Three Common Misconceptions of SRRC Certification for In-Vehicle Products
Many companies face certification failures and non-compliant products due to misinterpretations of SRRC certification rules. Here are the three most common pitfalls in the automotive infotainment industry:
❌ Misconception 1: The built-in authenticated wireless module eliminates the need for additional authentication
✅ Correction: Wireless module standalone certification only verifies its own compliance. After integration with the main unit's components, parameter variations may occur. The entire system must undergo separate certification.
❌ Misconception 2: The car's wireless system has low power consumption, so no authentication is required
✅ Correction: The SRRC certification's core criterion is wireless transmission capability, independent of power output. Low-power wireless modules still require certification.
❌ Misconception 3: Imported car infotainment systems come with overseas certifications, eliminating the need for SRRC certification
✅ Correction: Overseas certifications such as EU CE-RED and US FCC are not applicable in China. Imported products must be SRRC-registered by the importer/agent, and the parameters must comply with Chinese standards.
6、Professional Escort: One-stop SRRC Certification Service for Vehicle In-vehicle Products
SRRC certification covers multiple professional dimensions including RF technology, regulatory interpretation, and process control. Given the unique automotive-grade requirements for in-vehicle infotainment systems, the certification process is significantly more challenging. Companies relying solely on their own resources often face detours and prolonged timelines.
As a professional radio certification service provider, Zhongle Certification possesses hands-on experience in the entire SRRC certification process for in-vehicle infotainment systems. With expertise in automotive-specific testing requirements and the latest regulatory standards, we offer end-to-end services for enterprises, covering initial consultation, frequency band compliance verification, documentation preparation, sample pre-testing, laboratory testing, online application, audit follow-up, and certificate management. Our solutions help businesses shorten certification timelines, improve first-time pass rates, and ensure efficient and compliant market entry for their infotainment products.
In today's increasingly stringent radio regulatory environment, SRRC certification has evolved from a mere' entry requirement 'for in-vehicle infotainment systems to a' safety lock' ensuring corporate compliance and risk mitigation. For automakers and infotainment manufacturers, only by embedding compliance principles throughout the product lifecycle can they achieve sustainable growth in the intelligent connected vehicle era, ultimately enhancing both market value and brand equity.
If your automotive infotainment system faces SRRC certification challenges or requires detailed specifications for automotive-grade certifications, feel free to contact us. Zhongle Certification will provide you with a customized certification solution tailored to your needs.
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E-mail: finny.zhou@zhongletest.com
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