On December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications officially issued the National Technical Regulation QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT on Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) for handheld and body-worn radio devices to ensure user safety against the effects of electromagnetic radiation. QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT takes effect from February 15, 2025 and is mandatory from July 1, 2026 for terrestrial mobile phone products, while for remaining products within the scope of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT the mandatory enforcement starts from July 1, 2027.
QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT is issued together with Circular No. 19/2024/TT-BTTTT which is signed on December 31, 2024 by Vietnam Minister of Information and Communications (MIC).
What is Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)?
(SAR) is a measure of the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the human body when exposed to a transmitting device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or other radio devices. SAR regulations are intended to ensure that devices meet safety standards and minimize the risk of negative effects on human health. SAR is calculated in W/kg and represents the user’s exposure to the effects of electromagnetic radiation.
Scope of application
The objective of the regulations is to ensure that devices near the human body comply with safety standards on specific absorption rate (SAR). Specifically, the scope of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT includes:
Handheld and body-worn radio devices :
- Transmit power greater than 20 mW .
- Use distance less than 200 mm from human body.
Applicable devices:
- Mobile phone (3G, 4G, 5G).
- Tablet.
- Laptop.
- DECT cordless phone (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications – applicable to handsets).
Not applicable:
- Implantable medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, body-attached medical devices).
Summary of main content of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT
| Category | Content |
| QCVN Name | National technical regulation on specific absorption levels for hand-held and body-worn radio equipment. |
| Objective of issuance | Protect user’s health from electromagnetic radiation from radio devices |
| Products under management scope | – Mobile phones (3G, 4G, 5G) (HS code 8517.13.00 or 8517.14.00) – Tablet computers (HS code 8471.30.90) – Laptops (HS code 8471.30.20) – DECT phone (handheld unit only) (HS code 8517.11.00) *Exclusion: – Implantable medical devices |
| SAR limit | – SAR limit in head and body area: 2 W/kg (based on 10g tissue) – SAR limit in limbs: 4 W/kg (based on 10g tissue) – Whole body SAR limits do not apply. |
| Measuring frequency band | 30 MHz to 6 GHz |
| Pre-circulation procedures | – For mobile phones: Type Approval (TA) and declaration of conformity (DoC) – For remaining equipment: Declaration of conformity (DoC) |
Application roadmap
- From February 15, 2025, QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT will be applied. Enterprises can conduct voluntary testings at designated testing laboratories.
- From 1/7/2026: Terrestrial mobile phone equipment must comply with QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT before being circulated in the market .
- From July 1, 2027: Products and goods subject to QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT must comply with QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT before being circulated in the market.
For more details, you can refer to the full text of QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT and Circular No. 19/2024/TT-BTTTT at:
Please contact us immediately for advice on testing services and conformity declaration/certification services according to QCVN 134:2024/BTTTT at hotline: 0866 236 288 or email: info@psicert.vn
This information is quite detailed and easy to understand!