Canada ISED Adopts IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 for SAR Testing
Canada: ISED Adopts IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 — Updated SAR Procedures for Hand SAR, Motion Sensors and Time-Averaged SAR Under RSS-102
On September 21, 2026, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced that it is incorporating IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 into its regulatory framework for radiofrequency (RF) exposure compliance. The amendment updates the international measurement procedure that Canada uses to assess the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of hand-held and body-worn wireless devices, and it directly affects how devices are tested for certification under RSS-102.
For manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, wearables, laptops and other portable radio equipment, the update brings new standardized test methods, closes gaps that previously required case-by-case guidance from ISED, and will require test laboratories and certification bodies to update their procedures and accreditation scopes.
Regulatory Background: IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 in Canada
IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020 was published on October 19, 2020, consolidating and replacing IEC 62209-1:2016, IEC 62209-2:2010 (including AMD1:2019) and IEEE Std 1528-2013 into a single SAR measurement standard covering 4 MHz to 10 GHz.
ISED adopted the standard through Notice 2020-DRS0020, with one exception: Clause 7.6 (time-period averaged SAR considerations). The adopted procedures became mandatory on May 3, 2021 for certification of wireless devices operating from 4 MHz to 6 GHz. Although the standard extends to 10 GHz, Health Canada's Safety Code 6 limits SAR assessment to 6 GHz; above that frequency, power density is the applicable metric.
Today, the standard is embedded in Canada's RF exposure framework through:
RSS-102, which sets the RF exposure compliance requirements for all radiocommunication apparatus, and
RSS-102.SAR.MEAS, which requires SAR evaluations from 4 MHz to 6 GHz to follow "the latest version" of IEC/IEEE 62209-1528, subject to ISED-specific deviations. Issue 2 of RSS-102.SAR.MEAS became mandatory on February 15, 2026.
What IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 Changes
Amendment 1 (published in 2026 by the IEC and IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety) is a targeted technical update to the 2020 edition. It addresses five main areas:
Hand SAR: new subclauses introducing an applicability check (to determine when hand SAR must be assessed) and a dedicated test procedure.
Motion sensors: a new SAR measurement procedure for devices that use motion sensors (such as accelerometers and gyroscopes) to reduce transmit power, plus a new annex on sensor validation.
Time-averaged SAR (TAS): a revised and updated measurement procedure for validating time-averaging power control algorithms.
Separation distance and SAR test reduction: updated rules on test separation distances and the conditions under which test configurations can be reduced.
Proximity sensors: amendments to the proximity sensor provisions.
How ISED IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 Adoption Affects RSS-102 Certification
The most significant practical change concerns motion sensors. Under RSS-102 Annex C.2, manufacturers using motion sensors for SAR mitigation currently must submit an inquiry to ISED to receive detailed test guidance. RSS-102 itself anticipated this update: it states that once a revised IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 including the motion sensor procedure is published, ISED-recognized laboratories will be able to perform that procedure for Canadian certification without submitting an inquiry. AMD 1 delivers exactly that procedure, removing a case-by-case step from the certification path.
For proximity sensors, RSS-102 already requires validation under Section 7.7 of IEC/IEEE 62209-1528, so the amended provisions will flow directly into Canadian testing.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Current Canadian practice | Expected impact of AMD 1 adoption |
Hand SAR | Addressed in RSS-102.SAR.MEAS (e.g., Annex E, hand exposure during voice calls) | Standardized applicability check and test procedure available; confirm interplay with RSS-102.SAR.MEAS provisions |
Motion sensors | Inquiry to ISED required for test guidance (RSS-102 Annex C.2) | Standardized procedure and validation annex; recognized labs can test without an inquiry |
Time-averaged SAR (TAS) | Clause 7.6 not applicable; ISED-specific TAS rules in RSS-102.SAR.MEAS | Revised algorithm-validation procedure; scope of ISED adoption |
Proximity sensors | Validated per Section 7.7 of IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 | Amended procedures apply to validation |
Test reduction / separation distance | Per 2020 edition plus ISED deviations | Updated criteria may change test plans and number of configurations |
Test labs and certification bodies | Accredited to IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020 | Scope of accreditation must be updated within the transition period |
Existing certifications | Valid | Based on ISED precedent, adoption typically applies to new certifications; confirm treatment of existing approvals |
What This Means for Manufacturers
Faster, more predictable approvals for sensor-based SAR mitigation. Devices that rely on motion sensors to manage RF exposure will no longer depend on bespoke ISED guidance. This reduces uncertainty and lead time, particularly for smartphones and wearables with advanced power-management designs.
Test plans will need to be revisited. New hand SAR applicability rules and updated test reduction criteria may change which configurations must be measured. Products currently in development should be reviewed against the amended standard before test campaigns are locked.
TAS-enabled devices need close attention. Because ISED maintains its own TAS requirements, manufacturers using time-averaging algorithms should verify exactly how the revised procedure interacts with RSS-102.SAR.MEAS before submitting.
Laboratory readiness matters. Certification timelines will depend on whether your SAR laboratory has updated its procedures and accreditation scope. Confirm this early to avoid delays once the mandatory date applies.
Global alignment improves. AMD 1 is an international standard, and its European counterpart (EN IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 amendment) is progressing in parallel. Aligning test programs to the amended standard supports a harmonized approach across Canada and other markets.
Timeline and Required Actions
Key milestones
Date | Milestone |
October 19, 2020 | IEC/IEEE 62209-1528:2020 published |
May 3, 2021 | IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 mandatory in Canada for devices operating 4 MHz – 6 GHz (Notice 2020-DRS0020) |
March 21, 2024 | IEEE approves the project to amend IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 |
February 15, 2026 | RSS-102.SAR.MEAS Issue 2 becomes mandatory |
2026 | IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 Amd.1 published |
September 21, 2026 | ISED announces incorporation of IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 |
Voluntary use start date per ISED notice | |
Mandatory application date for new certifications |
Required actions
Manufacturers
Identify products in the Canadian pipeline that use hand-held operation, motion sensors, proximity sensors or TAS algorithms.
Review test plans against AMD 1, particularly hand SAR applicability and updated test reduction rules.
Confirm with your test laboratory that it can test to the amended standard and that its accreditation scope is updated.
Schedule certification submissions around the mandatory date to avoid retesting.
Monitor the RSS-102 and RSS-102.SAR.MEAS pages for any corresponding revisions.
Test laboratories
Update SAR procedures, validation protocols and uncertainty budgets to AMD 1.
Extend accreditation scope within the transition period, as required under ISED's REC-CB and REC-LAB frameworks.
Prepare motion sensor validation capability in line with the new annex.
Certification bodies
Update review checklists to reflect the amended procedures and any ISED deviations.
Communicate the transition period and mandatory date to applicants.
Conclusion
ISED's adoption of IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 AMD 1 is a technically focused but meaningful update to Canada's RF exposure framework. By bringing standardized hand SAR, motion sensor and revised TAS procedures into RSS-102 certification, it replaces case-by-case guidance with predictable, internationally aligned test methods. Manufacturers that review test plans and confirm laboratory readiness now will be best positioned when the amendment becomes mandatory.
