Chile SUBTEL SRD Regulation Update: Resolución 966

Chile SUBTEL SRD Regulation Update: What Resolución 966 Exenta Changes

On 27 May 2026, Chile's Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL) part of the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, published Resolución 966 Exenta, amending Resolución Exenta N° 1.985 of 2017, the technical standard that governs short range devices (SRDs, equipos de alcance reducido) in Chile.

The amendment lands just three months after Chile's overhauled SRD regime took effect, and it fine-tunes that new framework rather than replacing it. It matters most to two groups: makers of low power implantable medical devices, and any manufacturer or importer that has just redesigned product packaging to meet Chile's new QR labelling rules.

What the Chile SUBTEL SRD regulation update introduces

Resolución 966 Exenta makes three substantive changes to the Resolución 1.985 technical standard. Despite how the change is sometimes summarised, it is not limited to QR code sizing.

1. A new category for low-power active implantable medical devices

Article 1 of the standard now includes a category for extremely low-power active implantable medical devices operating in the 9–315 kHz frequency band. These devices are permitted provided their field strength does not exceed 30 dBµA/m (or the equivalent in dBµV/m), measured at 10 metres. The change aligns Chile's framework with the growing international availability of implantable medical technology in this band.

2. Greater flexibility in QR code labelling

Chile's SRD framework moved most devices to a QR based digital labelling model under the earlier Resolución 737 Exenta (in force since 22 February 2026). Resolución 966 relaxes the previously rigid QR specifications:

• The size of the QR code may now be set freely by the responsible party, provided the code still reads and functions correctly.

• Compliance with ISO/IEC 18004 is now recommended rather than mandatory.

• The requirement for "square" modules is replaced with free choice of design.

  
  

This gives brands more latitude to integrate the compliance QR code into existing packaging and label artwork.

3. New channels for submitting confidential test reports

To improve regulator access to confidential or restricted information in test reports, the resolution adds submission routes. Confidential test reports may now be emailed to SUBTEL's designated institutional mailbox as an alternative to publication, and may also be lodged through the Virtual Filing Office (Oficina de Partes Virtual) in each case quoting the relevant entry number (Número de Ingreso) and the equipment references.

How this fits Chile's broader SRD reform

Resolución 966 refines a regime that only recently became effective. Under Resolución 737 Exenta (published 22 May 2025, effective 22 February 2026), Chile replaced prior paper based certification for most SRDs with a self-declaration and QR digital-labelling model. Under that model, unlicensed band devices Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RFID/NFC, remote controls, IoT, UWB and similar, no longer require prior SUBTEL certification, but must display a QR code linking to a Spanish language page carrying the device's technical information (frequency bands, technologies, antenna gain and EIRP values).

Formal prior certification is retained only for medical devices under Article 1 literals g) and h). Resolución 966's new implantable-device category and its QR flexibility both operate inside that structure. It does not cover cellular equipment, which follows Chile's separate Multibanda/SAE homologation and IMEI-registration route.

What this means for manufacturers

• Implantable medical device makers: If your active implantable device operates in the 9–315 kHz band, confirm it meets the 30 dBµA/m at 10 m field strength limit to qualify under the newly recognised category. Medical devices under literals g) and h) still require formal SUBTEL certification.

• All SRD brands using QR labels: The relaxed QR rules are an opportunity, not an obligation to redo work. Existing compliant labels remain valid; new designs can now use flexible QR sizing and design and treat ISO/IEC 18004 as guidance. Verify readability before committing artwork to print.

• Regulatory affairs teams: Update internal submission playbooks to reflect the new confidential-documentation channels (institutional mailbox and Oficina de Partes Virtual), and make sure entry numbers and equipment references are captured on every submission.

• Importers and distributors: No new barrier is created here. The direction of travel is lower administrative friction and easier market entry, particularly for low-power medical and IoT products.

  
  

Certification impact summary

Change	Affected products	Certification / compliance impact
New implantable device category (9–315 kHz, ≤30 dBµA/m at 10 m)	Active implantable medical devices in the band	Newly permitted; formal SUBTEL certification still applies to medical literals g) and h)
QR labelling flexibility (free size, ISO/IEC 18004 recommended, free module design)	All SRDs relying on QR digital labelling	Eases label design; existing compliant labels stay valid — no re-declaration required
New confidential test-report submission channels	Any applicant filing confidential test data	Process change only; add email + Oficina de Partes Virtual routes with Número de Ingreso
Underlying self-declaration / QR regime (from Res. 737)	Unlicensed-band SRDs (Wi-Fi, BT, RFID, IoT, etc.)	Unchanged by Res. 966; remains in force since 22 Feb 2026

Timeline and required actions

Date	Event	Required action
22 May 2025	Resolución 737 Exenta published (SRD reform)	—
22 Feb 2026	Resolución 737 self-declaration / QR regime effective	Ensure SRDs carry compliant QR labels; certify medical g)/h) devices
27 May 2026	Resolución 966 Exenta published (amends Res. 1.985)	Review implantable-device eligibility; assess QR label redesign options
Now	Amendment in effect (see editorial note on transitional provisions)	Update submission workflows for confidential test reports
Ongoing	Placing SRDs on the Chilean market	Confirm each product's category, field-strength limits and labelling against the consolidated Res. 1.985