On 22 January 2026, the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure (DJID) held a socialization event for discussing their plan to amend several Dictums in the technical regulation of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) which is KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024. The discussion of the amendment of KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024 still focused on smartphones and computer tablets only. The amendment is planned to extend the validity period of BBPPT declaration letter and also exempt the SAR head testing for computer tablets without speaker facilities for next-to-ear communication or earpieces.
The final amendment version of KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024 is planned to be completed before 1 April 2026 because the BBPPT declaration letter will only valid until 1 April 2026. Therefore, in this article we will discuss all important notes from the socialization of the amendment of KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024 for SAR testing of smartphones and computer tablets.
Background of amendment SAR technical regulation
There are several reasons why amendments to the SAR technical regulation, KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024, are necessary. These reasons include:
- Based on Dictum 6 and 7 of KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024, if a testing center is unable to issue a SAR test report, the certification applicants can submit a declaration letter from a domestic testing lab (BBPPT).
- However, the implementation of submitting BBPPT declaration letter is valid only until 1 April 2026. If the BBPPT declaration letter is no longer valid, the certification process will be hampered.
- Some computer tablets do not support operating modes that do not have speaker facilities for next-to-ear voice communication, making them irrelevant for SAR head testing.
- Adjustments to the inclusion of SAR limits in the attachment KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024, taking into account the Intellectual Property Rights policies of ICNIRP and IEC.
Regarding the inclusion of SAR limits in the attachment to KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024, it is estimated to be made as points 4 and 5 of the attachment, as follows:
| 4. The standard Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing methods used are as follows: a. Head testing b. Torso and limb testing c. SAR testing is conducted in at least the frequency bands specified in the established technical standards. 5. The SAR testing standard for tablet computers includes information about speaker facilities for next-to-the-ear voice communication. |
Impact on DJID certification in Indonesia
The amendment to SAR technical regulation of KEPMEN KOMINFO No. 177 year 2024 will impact the DJID certification process, particularly for smartphones and computer tablets. Extending the validity period for BBPPT declaration letter will help expedite the DJID certification process, given that the lead time of SAR testing currently takes approximately 4-8 weeks.
BBPPT, as the only local laboratory in Indonesia that performs SAR testing, continues to improve its SAR testing services. BBPPT currently has four SAR test equipment, operating optimally 16-20 hours per day. Furthermore, BBPPT also plans to add two more SAR test equipment, which is expected to expedite the SAR testing process for DJID certification.
As already mentioned before, the validity period for a declaration letter from BBPPT will be revised from two years to be three years. Therefore, BBPPT declaration letter is expected to no longer be valid for DJID certification starting in 2027. This situation may delay the certification process for smartphones and tablet computers in Indonesia. There may be an option to submit foreign test reports for SAR, but the DJID is still conducting regular evaluations regarding the SAR testing queue at BBPPT.
Conclusion
It is important for applicants and manufacturers to stay updated with any changes in technical regulations for Indonesia type approval, such as the issuance of the amendment of SAR technical regulation. This is quite important topic to be monitored and updated. Therefore, Dimulti expert team will try to monitor and keep you updated with the progress of the amendment to SAR technical regulation. Feel free to send an email to info@narmadi.com if you have any questions about this topic.
