1. Certification Introduction

IRAM was established in 1935. It is a certification body for electronic technology products accredited by OAA (Argentine Accreditation Organization) and also a government-recognized certification body for mandatory certification products. On March 28, 2018, a new resolution 169/2018 was published in the Argentine Official Gazette. This resolution stipulates that electronic and electrical equipment with AC voltage between 50 V and 1000 V, DC voltage between 75 V and 1500 V, power within 5KVA, and installation materials within 63A must undergo mandatory certification.

2. Certification Products

Electronic and electrical products, toys, personal protective equipment, elevators, lighters, children's bicycles, construction steel, etc.

3. Certification Modes

(1) S-Mark Certification

To obtain the S-Mark certification label, in addition to sample testing, factory inspection and annual audits are required. Manufacturers or importers who obtain the S-Mark certification must conduct sample testing at any accredited Argentine laboratory annually. Additionally, the first verification must be conducted within 180 days of obtaining the S-Mark certification, followed by annual verifications.

The S-Mark certification label issued by IRAM varies depending on the applicable standards.

(2) Type Certification

Type certification is based solely on sample testing and does not require factory inspection. Products that pass the test can be labeled with the type certification mark.

The type certification certificate must be issued by an OAA-accredited body. To maintain the validity of the certificate, the first verification must be conducted within 90 days of obtaining the type certification. Additionally, manufacturers or importers who obtain type certification must conduct sample testing at any accredited Argentine laboratory every six months.

(3) Batch Certification

Batch certification involves testing samples taken from each batch of manufactured or imported products and does not require factory inspection. All products in the batch that pass the test can be labeled with the batch certification mark. The certification number and batch number must be printed clearly and prominently and must be non-removable.

The testing standard for batch certification refers to the Argentine standard IRAM15 (similar to standard MIL105). The number of samples tested is determined by the testing body based on the size, characteristics, and similarity of the manufactured or imported products.

(4) Comparison of the Three Certification Modes

A comparison of the three certification systems—S-Mark certification, type certification, and batch certification—is as follows:

4. Certification Process

According to Resolution 92/1998, the mandatory safety certification for electronic and electrical products includes six major steps:

(1) Define the certification mode: adopt label certification, type certification, or batch certification;

(2) Apply for certification;

(3) Test the product or provide previous test reports;

(4) If required by the certification mode, conduct a factory inspection;

(5) Issue the corresponding certification certificate;

(6) Post-certification supervision testing.

5. Certification Documents

(1) CB safety test report plus CB certificate, or IEC English test report plus Argentine national requirements

(2) Additional document application form

(3) Design specifications, circuit diagrams, temperature curves, list of measuring equipment

(4) Product photos

(5) Safety warnings in Spanish printed on the nameplate

(6) User manual in Spanish

(7) Factory test report