What Foreign Manufacturers Need to Know About NBTC Certification
Foreign manufacturers of telecommunications and RF equipment selling into Thailand must obtain NBTC type approval before their products can be placed on the market. The process has one fundamental requirement that shapes everything else: all applications must be submitted by a registered Thai juristic person acting as local representative. Foreign entities cannot apply directly.
Understanding this requirement — and preparing your documentation accordingly — keeps your application on track and avoids delays that are preventable.
Why a Local Representative Is Required
NBTC regulations require that all type approval applications be filed by a Thai juristic person. This is a legal requirement — without a registered local representative in place, no application can proceed regardless of company size, product type, or certification class.
Zergo acts as local representative for all applications we handle. Alternatively, if you have your own appointed local representative, you provide the required documentation and Zergo manages the rest. In both cases, Zergo prepares, submits, and handles all communication with the NBTC on your behalf throughout the certification process.
Zergo holds an NBTC trade licence and supplier code — both required for Class A and Class B applications — so your application can proceed without the need to source these independently.
NBTC Trade Licence
Required for Class A and Class B applications. Held by the local representative — not the overseas manufacturer.
NBTC Supplier Code
Also required for Class A and Class B. Appears on the NBTC label affixed to approved products.
What Your Test Reports Need to Cover
The NBTC accepts test reports from accredited laboratories outside Thailand, but not all reports meet NBTC requirements as submitted. Before a type approval application can proceed, reports must satisfy two conditions.
NBTC-recognised standards
Test reports must reference standards that the NBTC recognises for the product category and certification type. Standards that are technically equivalent but not explicitly listed may be rejected during review. This is one of the most common — and most avoidable — causes of application failure for foreign manufacturers.
Correct accreditation scope
The issuing laboratory must hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and the accreditation scope must cover the specific standards applied in the report. A report issued by an accredited laboratory does not automatically mean the scope covers the relevant tests.
What to Expect During the Certification Process
The NBTC certification process for foreign manufacturers involves two distinct phases.
Testing Phase
Test reports for telecommunications and RF equipment must be obtained from an accredited laboratory before an application can be prepared. This phase is managed by you and your laboratory prior to engaging Zergo.
Certification Phase
Once your documentation is complete, Zergo prepares and submits your application to the NBTC. Zergo handles all communication with the NBTC throughout this phase, including any requests for supplementary documents during review.
Common Mistakes That Delay NBTC Approval
Most application delays are preventable. These are the issues Zergo sees most frequently when reviewing documentation from foreign manufacturers.
Submitting under the wrong certification type
SDoC, Class A, and Class B have different requirements, timelines, and post-certification obligations. Submitting under the wrong type means starting the process again.
→ Use the NBTC Certification Checker to confirm the applicable type before preparing your documentation.
Test reports that do not meet NBTC standards
A report that satisfies your home market regulator may still fail NBTC review if it references a standard the NBTC does not recognise for that product category. The result is a rejected application and the cost of commissioning additional testing.
Incomplete documentation at submission
Missing documents or incorrectly formatted declarations are among the leading causes of application delays for foreign manufacturers. The NBTC will request the missing items, extending your timeline by weeks.
→ Our Pre-Submission Review service checks completeness before anything is filed.
No local representative arranged in advance
Applications cannot proceed without local representative documentation. Leaving this until the last stage adds unnecessary delay to an otherwise complete submission.
How Zergo Works with Foreign Manufacturers
Zergo's role is to execute the certification process — not to advise on strategy. We prepare your application, act as or coordinate your local representative, submit to the NBTC, and manage all communication through to approval.
NBTC Certification Service
Core service. Zergo prepares your application, coordinates local representative requirements, submits to the NBTC, and handles all communication during review.
View service details →Pre-Submission Review
Document completeness check and verification that your test report standards align with NBTC requirements — before your application is submitted.
View service details →Regulatory Consultation
A structured session for manufacturers with specific regulatory questions. Submit product specs in advance.
View service details →Ready to Move Forward?
If you are ready to proceed with NBTC type approval in Thailand for your telecommunications or RF equipment, get in touch and we will confirm the applicable certification type, required documents, and timeline.