Does Your Device Need SAR Testing? The 2027 DJID Guideline
Komdigi Makes SAR Test Reports Mandatory for Selected Devices
On 22 April 2026, Komdigi issued Ministerial Decree No. 197 of 2026, which makes SAR test reports mandatory for certain telecommunication devices certified through DJID. The decree replaces Decree 177/2024 and sets Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limits for products used close to the human body.
Not every device is affected, though. To know whether your product needs SAR testing, start with how DJID categorizes it.
HKT and Non-HKT: The Two DJID Product Categories
DJID separates telecommunication equipment into two categories, HKT and non-HKT. The category your product falls into determines whether the SAR rule applies.
- HKT covers mobile phones (handphone), handheld computers (komputer genggam) and tablet computers (komputer tablet) that connect to cellular networks.
- Non-HKT covers the other telecommunication equipment on the mandatory list, such as Wi-Fi routers and access points, Bluetooth audio devices, wireless keyboards and mice, smart home products and IoT modules.
SAR Testing Is Mandatory Only for HKT Products
SAR test reports are required only for HKT products. Within that category, the decree applies to devices that meet specific technical conditions.
- Phones and Tablets Used Within 20 cm of the Body Above 20 mW. The requirement covers mobile phones and tablet computers used at a distance of less than 20 cm from the body with a radiated transmit power above 20 mW. In practice, most cellular phones and tablets meet both conditions.
- Exposure Areas: Head, Torso and Limbs. SAR limits apply to the head, the torso (body) and the limbs. The test report should cover each exposure position relevant to how the device is used.
- Reference Standard: ICNIRP 1998 or ICNIRP 2020. The limits refer to the international ICNIRP guidelines, and either the 1998 or the 2020 edition can be used.
What If My HKT Product Is Not Used for Voice Calls?
Tablets that are not designed for voice communication next to the ear, meaning they have no earpiece, are exempt from the head SAR assessment. Body and limb requirements still apply if the tablet meets the 20 cm and 20 mW conditions. However, the exemption is not automatic. To claim it, applicants must attach a statement letter (surat pernyataan) stating that the SAR report is not yet ready, together with the technical specifications of the device.
SAR Testing Timeline Under the 2027 DJID Guideline
Komdigi provides a transition period until 31 July 2027. Until that date, applicants can submit a surat keterangan in place of the SAR report if the lab is not yet ready to test the device. Once the SAR report is issued, it must be submitted to DJID no later than 14 calendar days after the issue date.
Does DJID Accept Foreign SAR Reports?
Not at this time. DJID currently accepts only SAR reports issued by laboratories in Indonesia, and only two labs can carry out the test: BBPPT (Balai Besar Pengujian Perangkat Telekomunikasi) and IDTH. Reports from overseas labs, including those used for FCC or CE approvals, cannot be used for DJID certification.
What Should You Do Next?
If the product you plan to certify is an HKT device, schedule SAR testing as early as possible. Testing takes time, and with only two labs serving the whole market, waiting lists are likely to grow as the 2027 deadline approaches. Register your product with BBPPT or IDTH early and prepare samples and technical documents in advance. Building the testing lead time into your certification plan now helps you avoid delays to your Indonesian launch.
Key Takeaways
- Check your DJID category first. SAR requirements apply only to HKT products.
- Phones and tablets used within 20 cm of the body with radiated power above 20 mW need a SAR report covering the head, torso and limbs.
- Tablets without an earpiece can be exempted from the head assessment with a statement letter and technical specifications.
- A surat keterangan can be used until 31 July 2027, and the SAR report must reach DJID within 14 calendar days of issue.
- Only domestic reports from BBPPT or IDTH are accepted, so plan local testing for every HKT product entering Indonesia.
- Lab capacity, not paperwork, is likely to be the main bottleneck. Book your lab slot early.
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