ICES-003 — Definition and Regulatory Context

ICES-003 applies to digital apparatus that generate and/or use timing signals or pulses at rates above 9 kHz for the purpose of computation, data processing, control, display, or similar digital techniques. Such equipment may unintentionally emit radio-frequency (RF) energy; the standard limits those emissions.

Equipment is classified into two categories:

• Class A – intended for industrial or commercial environments

• Class B – intended for residential environments with stricter emission limits

Certain product types require additional consideration:

• Devices featuring wireless power transfer (WPT) must also comply with RSS-216.

• External power supplies (PSUs) fall under ICES-003 when sold with information technology equipment (ITE) and under ICES-001 when marketed separately.

Products regulated by other ISED standards are excluded (for example, industrial, scientific, and medical equipment under ICES-001; intentional transmitters under RSS; and broadcasting equipment under BETS).

Testing under ICES-003 is performed using either the procedures defined in CAN/CSA-CISPR 32:17 or ANSI C63.4, as referenced in the Key Technical Requirements section.

Measurements are conducted in controlled electromagnetic environments using calibrated test equipment.

Typical test configurations include:

• Conducted emissions: Measurements on AC mains using a 50 Ω / 50 µH Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN).

• Radiated emissions: Semi-anechoic or open-area test site (OATS) setups at 3 m or 10 m distance.

• Detector functions: Quasi-peak (QP) and average (AVG) detectors per frequency range.

The Equipment Under Test (EUT) must operate in representative modes that produce maximum emissions consistent with normal use.

Devices subject to ICES-003 must meet the applicable emission limits for their classification (Class A or Class B) before being marketed, imported, or distributed in Canada.

Unlike intentional transmitters regulated under the RSS-Gen framework and related standards, ICES-003 digital apparatus do not require ISED certification. Compliance is demonstrated through testing and proper labeling.

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors are responsible for ensuring conformity with ICES-003 requirements and maintaining the supporting technical documentation.

Key requirements:

• Testing: Emission measurements per CAN/CSA-CISPR 32:17 or ANSI C63.4 (see Test Methods).

• Labeling: Each compliant product must bear a bilingual statement in English and French.

  • Class A: CAN ICES-3 (A)/NMB-3(A)

  • Class B: CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

• Documentation: A Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) and the relevant test reports must be retained by the responsible party and made available upon request by ISED.

Devices incorporating intentional transmitters must additionally be certified under the applicable RSS standards.

The responsible party — manufacturer, importer, or distributor — must maintain technical documentation demonstrating compliance with ICES-003.
These records must be available to Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada upon request.

Required documentation:

• Test reports describing conducted and radiated emission results:

  • Clear identification of the Equipment Under Test (EUT)

  • Test configuration and operating modes

  • Applied measurement method (CAN/CSA-CISPR 32:17 or ANSI C63.4)

• Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) confirming compliance with the applicable Class A or B limits

• Labeling documentation showing the bilingual compliance statement

• Technical description, which may include schematics, block diagrams, and details of frequency-generating components where applicable

Records must be kept for as long as the product is manufactured, imported, distributed, sold, offered for sale, or leased in Canada.
Documentation must be provided in English or French upon request.

• Pre-compliance testing: Conducting emission tests during the design phase helps identify potential issues early and reduces the risk of costly failures during formal assessment.

• Ongoing compliance: Products must continue to meet ICES-003 requirements throughout their lifecycle.

  • Hardware or firmware modifications that may affect electromagnetic emissions require reassessment to confirm continued conformity.

• Product variants: When multiple models share the same basic design, representative testing of critical configurations may suffice, provided all variants remain within the specified limits.

  • Records and labeling must be updated whenever design or configuration changes occur.

• Standards monitoring: Manufacturers should regularly monitor updates to CAN/CSA-CISPR 32:17 and related ISED standards to ensure continued compliance with evolving requirements.

IB-Lenhardt AG provides accredited testing and compliance services for devices subject to ICES-003, including pre-compliance evaluation, emission testing, guidance on bilingual labeling, and full documentation support to ensure successful market access in Canada.

→ Learn more about our ISED Canada Compliance Services