Chile positions itself as a regional leader in 2026 with SUBTEL Resolution 737, which revolutionizes the telecommunications equipment certification system. Starting February 22, 2026, QR codes will be mandatory on all short-range devices.
Key Information:
- Critical date: February 22, 2026
- Estimated cost: USD $2,500-8,000 per product
- Implementation timeline: 8-14 weeks
- Sanctions: Fines from $350,000 to $70,000,000 CLP
1. What is SUBTEL Resolution 737?
Exempt Resolution N° 737, published on May 22, 2025, fundamentally modifies Exempt Resolution N° 1985 of 2017 on short-range devices (SRD).
Key dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 22, 2025 | Official publication |
| May 2025 - Feb 2026 | Transition period (9 months) |
| February 22, 2026 | Mandatory effective date |
| Post February 2026 | Active enforcement |
Important: The complete implementation process takes 8-14 weeks. It's critical to start preparation immediately.
Equipment subject to regulation
- WiFi devices: Routers, access points, IoT
- Bluetooth devices: Headphones, speakers, wearables
- Zigbee devices: Home automation sensors
- RFID devices: Readers, active tags
- IoT devices: Smart sensors, telemetry
- Other SRD: Wireless microphones, radio alarms, UWB equipment
Exceptions
Only the following categories maintain traditional certification:
- MICS Systems: Operating in 402-405 MHz band (literal g.1)
- Medical data acquisition equipment: Operating in 430-440 MHz band (literal g.2 and g.3)
- Other medical equipment: Per literal h
Sanctions
Article 36 of Law 18,168 establishes fines from 5 to 1,000 UTM ($350,000 to $70,000,000 CLP). Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation.
2. QR code technical specifications
| Specification | Official requirement | Practical recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | 1 cm × 1 cm | 2 cm × 2 cm for better readability |
| Error correction | Level H (30%) | - |
| Frames | Not allowed | - |
| Model | Model 2 (standard QR) | - |
| Modules | Squares | - |
| Contrast | Readable by any device | High black/white contrast |
Critical details
- Size: Official minimum 1 cm × 1 cm, but we recommend 2 cm × 2 cm for readability on various packaging
- Error correction: Level H (30%) is mandatory per the regulation
- No frames: Decorative frames around the QR are not permitted
- Location: Flexible per Resolution 2219 (packaging, device, or documentation)
3. Mandatory webpage content
The QR code must link to a public Spanish-language webpage with 9 mandatory elements:
Complete checklist
- Manufacturer information: Name, business name, address, country of origin
- Local importer information: Business name, Chile address, contact
- Legal representative in Chile (mandatory for foreigners)
- Product commercial name: Exact brand and model
- Technical specifications: Frequency bands, technologies, antenna gain, E.I.R.P. values
- Downloadable Test Report: PDF format, from accredited laboratory
- Signed Declaration of Conformity: Downloadable PDF
- Additional technical documentation: Diagrams, photographs, manual
- EMC Certification: Compliance with Resolution N° 3,103 of 2012
Confidential information: If Test Report contains sensitive information, you can publish redacted version and send complete to certificaciones@subtel.gob.cl
4. Implementation process (8-14 weeks)
Step 1: Documentation preparation (2-4 weeks)
Gather technical specifications, block diagrams, equipment photographs, existing certifications.
Step 2: Obtaining Test Reports (3-6 weeks)
Contract accredited laboratory with at least two international accreditations (FCC, CE/ETSI, ISO/IEC 17025).
Cost: USD $1,500-3,000 per product
Step 3: Legal representative in Chile (1-2 weeks)
Mandatory for foreign manufacturers.
Step 4: Webpage creation (1-2 weeks)
Develop Spanish-language page with all 9 mandatory elements.
Cost: $500,000-2,000,000 CLP + $50-200 USD/year hosting
Step 5: Declaration of Conformity (1 week)
Draft formal DoC with reference to QR and webpage URL.
Step 6: QR code generation (1 week)
- Size: 2 cm × 2 cm
- Correction: Level Q (25%)
- Format: SVG + PNG 300 DPI
Cost: FREE
Step 7: Design and packaging integration (2-3 weeks)
Cost: $100,000-500,000 CLP
Step 8: Testing and verification (1 week)
Scan with multiple devices, verify page loads correctly.
5. Cost summary
| Concept | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Laboratory Test Reports | USD $1,500-3,000 |
| Consulting/implementation | USD $1,000-5,000 |
| Webpage development | $500,000-2,000,000 CLP |
| Annual hosting | USD $50-200/year |
| QR generation | FREE |
| Packaging graphic design | $100,000-500,000 CLP |
| TOTAL PER PRODUCT | USD $2,500-8,000 |
6. Common mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Poorly implemented QR code
- QR too small
- Missing quiet zone
- Insufficient contrast
- Low resolution
Mistake 2: Incomplete webpage
- Missing downloadable Test Report
- No Declaration of Conformity
- Incomplete technical information
- Page only in English (must be Spanish)
Mistake 3: Non-permanent URL
Don't use shorteners (bit.ly, tinyurl). Use your own domain with clear URL.
Mistake 4: Not testing before production
Always print sample and scan with multiple devices.
Mistake 5: Unreliable hosting
Use hosting with 99.9% uptime and automatic renewal.
Related resources
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