CRC Type Approval in Colombia

CRC (Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones) is the telecommunications regulating agency in Colombia. Most satellite equipment and all cellular products (voice and data) and devices that connect to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) require CRC certification.

Although Colombia does not require local representation or in-country product testing, technical document review is still part of the homologation (approval) process. Modular reports can be used to certify a module but not an end-device.

FCC reports/grants may be used in lieu of testing; CE test reports (from Europe), however, are not acceptable in most cases. Cellular products have special labeling requirements.

For products exempt from the approval process we can obtain an official No Homologation letter, to avoid issues with Customs upon importation of the equipment to Colombia.

Key CRC resolutions:

Resolution 087, 1997: Establishes the general regulations for Telecommunications in Colombia

Resolution 4507, 2014: Modifications and additions to Resolution 087, 1997

Circular 060, 2007: Describes the technical requirements for the homologation process implemented for land line, satellite phones and cellphones. Updates Resolution 087, 1997 and Resolution 1673, 2006

Resolution 711-2016: Frequency band regulations in Colombia

Safety Approvals Certification:

RETIE: Technical Regulations for electrical Installations.

Products requiring RETIE approval include:

  • Elevators
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Jacuzzis

RETIE Resolutions that may apply:

  • 90708 – August 30th of 2014. Update of resolution created in 2013
  • 90708 of 2013. RETIE technical requirements, terms and conditions
  • 90907 of 2013 Clarification of General Annex of 90708 of 2013
  • 90795 of 2014 Clarification of General Annex of 90708 of 2013

RETILAP

Technical regulations for lighting and street lighting

RETIQ

Regulations for labeling end-use electrical and fuel gas equipment

Contact us to start the approval process

Columbia Plug Types

Electrical Plug Type A NEMA 1-15
Electrical Plug Type B NEMA 5-15

Type A plugs, rated at 15 Amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This is a Class I, non-grounded, non-insulated plug that operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 1-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9 mm wide, while the hot blade is 6.3 mm wide.

This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is only compatible with socket type A.

Type B plugs, rated at 15 amps, are used mainly in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and Central America. This is a class I grounded, non-insulated plug that operates on AC current and is known as NEMA 5-15. The plug has two 1.5 mm thick blades which measure 15.9 – 18.3 mm in length, and are spaced 12.7 mm apart. It also features a 4.8 diameter round, or u-shaped earth pin measuring 3.2 mm which acts as a ground. This plug almost always operates between 100 – 127 volts and is compatible with type A and B sockets. Grounded type B outlets are still rather uncommon in some parts of Central and South America.

However, it is not uncommon for people to cut off the earth pin to achieve compatibility with two-pole ungrounded sockets.

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