Sri Lanka has introduced a new digital process for telecommunications equipment approvals and clearance requests. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) ended manual processing on September 30, 2026, and now requires applicants to use its Equipment Clearance System (ECS) for all relevant requests starting October 1, 2026. This change brings type approval, mobile device clearance, and short-range device clearance into a single online platform, making the Sri Lanka device approval process fully digital for these services.
Sri Lanka Device Approval: New Online Requirements
Under the new process, manufacturers, importers, and vendors must submit their type approval and equipment clearance requests through the official TRCSL Equipment Clearance System. The platform covers three main services: type approval applications, IMEI clearance for devices such as mobile phones and SIM/eSIM-enabled routers, and clearance for non-IMEI devices, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other short-range wireless equipment.
TRCSL provides local Vendor Licensees with login credentials to access the system, and each vendor user must have a unique email address. The regulator also allows individuals and companies to request clearance for devices intended for their own use. Individual users may clear up to five devices per year, while corporate users may clear up to ten devices annually. These limits apply to their respective categories and do not replace the procedures established for registered vendors.
Existing Technical Requirements Remain Unchanged
Although TRCSL has changed how applicants submit their requests, the regulator has not introduced new technical approval requirements. The Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) Type Approval Rules 2020, published under Extraordinary Gazette No. 2196/51, continue to apply to telecommunications and wireless equipment entering the Sri Lankan market.
Consequently, manufacturers must continue to ensure that their products meet the existing requirements before submitting an application. TRCSL will process equipment that complies with these rules, while the ECS will serve as the required channel for submitting and managing clearance requests. The transition focuses on the application process rather than changes to technical standards or product testing obligations.
Impact on Equipment Imports and Customs Clearance
The new online system also plays an important role in Sri Lanka’s import clearance procedures. Sri Lanka Customs and the Controller of Imports and Exports use TRCSL’s ECS recommendations when reviewing equipment imports. Therefore, importers should complete the relevant clearance procedures and ensure that their applications meet the regulator’s requirements before proceeding with customs formalities.
However, not every TRCSL procedure has moved to the ECS. Vendor Licence applications and renewals will continue through the existing process. Applicants who require Type Approval Exemption Letters should also contact TRCSL directly to confirm the applicable procedure, as the announcement does not clearly establish how these requests will be handled under the new system.
What Manufacturers and Importers Should Do
The transition to the ECS requires manufacturers and importers to review their current approval procedures and coordinate with their local representatives. Companies should first confirm that their local Vendor Licensee has an active ECS account and the necessary login credentials. They should also follow up with TRCSL on any applications that remain pending under the previous manual process to determine the appropriate next steps.
Additionally, manufacturers should prepare their technical documentation in electronic format, including test reports, product datasheets, and user manuals. Having these documents ready can help companies manage their applications through the new platform while maintaining compliance with Sri Lanka’s existing type approval requirements.
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Regulatory Impact Assessment
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Technical Standards?
No -
Type Approval & Market Access?
No -
Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance?
Yes -
Spectrum Management?
No
