The Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure (DJID)—the telecommunications regulatory authority formerly designated as SDPPI under Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (KOMDIGI)—has officially enacted **Ministerial Decree No. 197 of 2026**. This decree introduces updated compliance mandates for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) evaluation on wireless telecommunication equipment entering Indonesia.
By superseding the previous Decree No. 177 of 2024, the new regulation provides formal legal stability for smartphone, wearable, and tablet manufacturers navigating Indonesian customs clearance and DJID Type Approval.
Device Scope and Exposure Thresholds
Under Decree No. 197 of 2026, SAR compliance is mandatory for telecommunication equipment that fulfills two operational parameters:
- The product operates at a nominal distance of less than 20 cm from the human body during normal operation.
- The radio frequency transmitter operates with an average radiated output power greater than 20 mW.
The maximum permissible exposure limits are harmonized with international radiation safety frameworks (ICNIRP 1998 and ICNIRP 2020):
- Head & Torso (Body): 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of continuous tissue.
- Limbs (Extremities): 4.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue.
Tablet Exemption Pathways & Foreign Lab Validity
The updated decree provides a critical practical exemption for tablet manufacturers: tablet computers that lack a dedicated voice earpiece receiver designed to be held against the ear are exempt from head SAR testing. Manufacturers can claim this exemption by submitting a formal technical declaration and device architecture documentation during DJID portal filing.
Additionally, overseas manufacturers benefit from the extension of Decree No. 13/2025, which allows test reports issued by registered, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited non-MRA foreign laboratories to be submitted through December 31, 2026. Reports must feature verifiable digital signatures and adhere to international standards such as IEC/IEEE 62209-1528 or EN 50566.
HertzWeg Compliance Advisory:
"Decree No. 197 of 2026 removes regulatory ambiguity for global device brands entering Southeast Asia's largest market. While foreign SAR test reports from recognized labs remain accepted through year-end 2026, manufacturers must ensure their technical files are filed via an authorized local representative holding a valid Indonesian NIB to avoid customs port holds."
For complete technical requirements, review our detailed Indonesia DJID Mandatory SAR Testing Guide, explore DJID Type Approval Procedures, or visit our Indonesia Telecom Market Access Hub.