Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information (SDPPI) has published an important announcement on the implementing rules for specific absorption rate (SAR) head limits for mobile phones and tablets.

The announcement is based on Ministerial Decree No. 177 of 2024, which sets SAR limits for mobile phone and tablet products.

Under the SAR regulation

Head SAR testing has been mandatory since 1 April 2024.
Torso and limb SAR testing has been mandatory since 1 August 2024.

Key points of the SAR rules

Scope. Telecommunications equipment for mobile phones and tablets manufactured, assembled, imported, traded or used in Indonesia.

Device definition. Mobile phone and tablet telecommunications equipment means equipment used at a distance of less than 20 cm from the body with a radiated transmit power above 20 mW.

Implementation timetable. SAR limits are implemented in two phases: head SAR from 1 April 2024, and torso and limb SAR from 1 August 2024.

Test reports.

· Once the SAR obligation is in force, certificate applications for mobile phone and tablet equipment must be accompanied by a SAR test report.
· Exception: if a test centre cannot issue the SAR report in time, the applicant may attach a certificate from a domestic test centre that includes the expected date of issue of the SAR report.
· Validity: the exception under Article 6 is valid for a maximum of 2 years from the date the SAR obligation takes effect.
· Submission: SAR test reports issued by domestic test centres must be submitted to the Directorate of Standardisation of Postal and Informatics Resources Equipment of the Ministry within 14 days of issue.
· SAR testing is currently open only to locally accredited SDPPI laboratories and capacity is very limited. Detailed SAR limits are set out in Regulation 177 and IEC 62209.