The National Communications Authority (NCA) will launch its world class laboratory to test communication equipment imported into the country.

The ultra-modern laboratory is expected to test every emitting wireless device such as mobile phones, laptops computer to ensure that the equipment conforms to international standards.

The laboratory would also address public health and safety concerns on emissions, strengthen the previous and post-market surveillance activities on unapproved devices and facilitate the availability of quality devices.

Mr Henry Kanor, the Deputy Director General in charge of Technical Operations at NCA, announced this in Accra at a sensitisation workshop for stakeholders on dealership licensing and equipment authorisation.

The forum was to educate stakeholders on the Authority’s equipment approval type and encourage them to comply with technical and regulatory requirements in importing communication devices.

He explained that type approval means the manufacturers and dealers must have relevant documentation to ensure that electronic communications equipment for the Ghanaian market met minimum regulatory requirements.

Mr Kanor noted that to determine whether an equipment had been type-approve, consumers must visit the Authority’s website to access the updated list of approved equipment and dealers, look for the name of the manufacturer, brand name, product type and model number and ensure that the product has an NCA label.

Mr Kanor stated that the Authority maintained that consumer rights of quality and safety were critical hence the need to create awareness of these products through the engagement with the stakeholder.

He said the Authority was poised to play its mandate by taking action to eliminate substandard equipment into the country and called for public support to carry out these initiatives effectively.

Mr Isaacs Boateng, Manager in charge of Regulatory Administration, NCA, said equipment authorisation was crucial because it helped to check cyber-related threats, drug trade and terrorism activity, consumer privacy, safety of digital transactions and taxes evasion.

Mr Boateng noted that equipment authorisation was to ensure that electronic communications equipment on the market were environmentally friendly, expose electromagnetic field were within the required national established limits and ensure guaranteed network quality to customers.

He urged the public to report all unregistered and unapproved communications equipment to the Authority and appealed to manufacturers, importers and dealers to visit the NCS’s portal to apply and register.