The first half of 2026 brought several changes to the DAB certification landscape. ETSI updated its standard, the UK's UKCA transition rules turned out to be more nuanced than what's floating around online, and Australia's ACMA shifted its requirements. When three markets change at the same time, export companies that don't track the specifics risk shipping delays in the second half of the year. This article lays out the accurate details for each development.
First, a clarification: EN 300 401 is the DAB receiver standard. EN 302 401 is the transmitter standard — different document, different purpose. Verify the number before submitting for testing.
In June 2026, ETSI officially published EN 300 401 V2.2.1 — the first major version update since V2.1.1 in 2017. The "February release" that's been circulating online refers to a draft leak date. The officially effective version is the June publication.
V2.2.1 changes three things:
Sensitivity threshold tightened — but only for automotive equipment. In Band III, the threshold moved from -96 dBm to -98 dBm. Portable and desktop radios remain at -96 dBm. Don't assume all device categories face the stricter threshold — they don't.
Adjacent channel selectivity testing adds dynamic scenarios. The test now simulates multipath fading environments. For automotive equipment, real-world signal reflections are dynamic, and the old static test couldn't cover this. This addition is specifically for the road-test portion of automotive certification.
Multi-band interoperability verification moves from optional to mandatory — but only for dual-band devices. If your product supports both Band III and L-Band, you now must run this test. Single-band products don't have this requirement.
What about products already certified under V2.1.1? The regulatory position is that existing certificates remain valid — there's no forced recertification. However, European automakers and large retailers have started requesting V2.2.1 compliance declarations from suppliers during annual audits. This is a commercial channel requirement, not a regulatory one. Customs clearance itself won't be affected by holding a V2.1.1 certificate.
UK UKCA: CE Reports Still Work in 2026
The UK government's official transition policy allows CE reports for radio equipment to be accepted through December 31, 2027. Throughout 2026 and 2027, EU CE RED test reports can be directly reused for UKCA self-declaration — no need for a full DAB RF re-test in a UK lab.
Here's how it works in practice: take your existing EU DAB test data and RED technical file, find a UK-authorized body to do document review and conversion, and issue the UKCA declaration. DAB receiving performance and decoding test data can all be reused. You're not running a new set of equipment tests. The cycle adds 2 to 3 weeks of document processing on top of your existing EU timeline — not 7 to 9 weeks of re-testing.
Starting in 2028, newly manufactured products will no longer be accepted under CE alone. The key word is "newly manufactured" — this has no impact on products already placed on the UK market before 2028.
Australia AS/CAS042: Not a DAB-Specific Standard
ACMA began giving priority to the new AS/CAS042 standard in June 2026. But there are three things most articles online completely fail to mention.
First, AS/CAS042 is not a DAB-specific standard. It's a general radio equipment specification. The signal stability requirements fall under general RF interference testing — it's not a new DAB-specific test Australia added. The content overlaps significantly with EU ETSI testing.
Second, the RCM framework allows DAB RF testing and EMC testing to be completed in phases. You don't have to do them simultaneously. File them together in the technical documentation and you're compliant. If your phased testing approach worked before, it still works now.
Third, the old standard was not directly withdrawn. The new version is simply given priority for acceptance. Existing AS/CA S042 reports remain valid and usable. There's no forced migration deadline.
EU DoC Electronification: Paper Still Works
The EU has been pushing for electronic Declarations of Conformity since September 2025. But let's be clear about what actually changed. The EU did not establish a unified mandatory digital platform, nor is there a QR code-based verification system with a unique identification code. Paper-signed PDF DoC files are still legally valid. Some member state customs authorities prefer receiving electronic versions, but they won't reject paper submissions outright.
For DAB device DoCs, the required content — device model, applicable standard version, NB body number, issue date — must be complete. But there's no standardized EU-mandated DoC template. As long as the required information is present and accurate, the format is up to you.
Middle East: UAE and Saudi Are Completely Different Paths
The UAE's TRA fully accepts EU ETSI DAB test reports. No local re-testing of RF parameters is required. The timeline adds 2 to 3 weeks of localization document review on top of your CE baseline.
Saudi Arabia's SABER/SASO system is fundamentally different. It mandates local laboratory RF re-testing and does not accept EU DAB test data. The timeline adds 4 to 6 weeks including local testing and document review. The cost and time difference between these two countries is substantial — don't estimate based on "Middle East markets all accept CE reports." That assumption gets you stuck at Saudi customs.
WorldDAB Trademark Registration Updated
Here's something that might seem hard to believe: after V2.2.1 was published, WorldDAB updated its DAB+ logo trademark testing requirements in sync. If you want to print the official DAB+ logo on your product packaging or display it in retail environments, you need to complete the logo registration testing under the new V2.2.1 standard. Simply passing the RED RF test doesn't give you logo usage rights — those come from WorldDAB registration, which is a separate process.
But remember: WorldDAB registration is voluntary and commercial. It's not a customs or market access requirement. If you don't need the logo, you don't need the registration.
One final note on automotive: EU M1 passenger vehicles have been required to come factory-equipped with DAB+ since 2020, under whole-vehicle type-approval regulations. Aftermarket DAB adapters and retrofit infotainment systems don't have this mandatory installation requirement. The regulatory force is completely different — don't treat these as the same category.
For DAB certification latest policy consultation, contact BlueAsia Testing at 13534225140 (Benson).
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