Venezuela's Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) has reduced the validity period for newly issued Venezuela type approval certificates from indefinite to one year, effective with the launch of the SIGESTEL system in early 2026. This change applies only to new certificate applications processed through SIGESTEL, while existing certificates issued under the previous regime retain their original indefinite validity.
Venezuela's telecommunications equipment approval framework has historically provided indefinite validity for type approval certificates, minimising ongoing compliance obligations for manufacturers. CONATEL, as the national telecommunications regulator, oversees certification requirements for radio equipment, television broadcasting equipment, and other telecommunications devices entering the Venezuelan market. The regulatory framework has traditionally been based on American FCC standards or European EU standards for technical conformity assessment.
CONATEL issued Administrative Provision No. 217, titled "Categorization of Telecommunications Equipment Subject to Homologation and Certification," published in Official Gazette No. 43,208 on 8 September 2025. This provision established the new SIGESTEL (Telecommunications Management System) platform and introduced the one-year validity limitation for newly issued certificates.
Further analysis of the enforcement mechanism reveals that competent authorities across multiple member states are expected to adopt a phased approach, with initial focus on high-risk product categories before extending surveillance to broader market segments. The transition period, while
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