Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has introduced an important update to the way Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance is evaluated for wireless and radio-enabled products sold in Canada. SAR is the regulatory metric used to assess human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) energy from devices that are used close to the body.
While Canada’s SAR exposure limits remain unchanged, ISED has updated the procedures used to measure and demonstrate compliance. These changes are formalized in RSS-102.SAR.MEAS Issue 2, a new measurement procedure that supports the existing RSS-102 Issue 6 RF exposure standard.
This update is part of Canada’s ongoing effort to modernize its RF exposure compliance framework and align SAR testing practices with evolving device designs, usage scenarios, and international measurement methods. Manufacturers placing wireless products on the Canadian market will need to ensure their SAR testing and certification activities follow the updated procedures once the transition period ends.
What Changed
- Canada published RSS-102.SAR.MEAS Issue 2, which updates how SAR testing must be performed.
- The SAR exposure limits themselves did not change and continue to be defined in RSS-102 Issue 6.
What This Affects
This update affects wireless products that are used close to the human body and require SAR evaluation, including:
- Smartphones and tablets
- Wearables (smartwatches, fitness trackers, medical wearables)
- Bluetooth headsets and earbuds
- Laptops and tablets with cellular, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth radios
- Handheld or body-worn wireless devices
Products not intended for use near the body (such as fixed wireless equipment or access points installed at a distance) are generally not impacted.
When It Applies
- Published: 15 August 2025
- Transition period: Approximately 6 months
What Manufacturers Need to Do
- Ensure SAR testing uses RSS-102.SAR.MEAS Issue 2 after the transition period
- Confirm testing laboratories are aligned with the updated procedure
- Review SAR test plans for handheld and body-worn products intended for the Canadian market
Official Source
ISED – Measurement Procedure for Assessing Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Compliance in Accordance with RSS-102
https://ised-isde.canada.ca