New Requirement for Local Representation in ICT Approvals
The National ICT Regulatory Authority (ARN) of Guinea-Bissau has issued Order No. 4/CA/ARN/2025, establishing a new requirement for local representation in the approval process of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment. Effective August 4, 2025, this order applies to all domestic and foreign entities applying for product certification in the country.
To obtain approval from ARN, applicants must appoint a local representative who resides in Guinea-Bissau and has legal authority to act on their behalf. This representative can be either an individual or a legal entity, provided they maintain a registered office and a valid fiscal identification number (NIF) within the country.
Formalization and Responsibilities of the Local Representative
The appointment must be documented via an authenticated declaration or power of attorney (PoA). The designated local representative will be responsible for the following duties:
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Serving as the main point of contact with ARN
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Responding to requests for additional information or testing
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Assuming technical and after-sales accountability for the equipment
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Keeping ARN registration data up to date
Transition Period and Enforcement Date
Entities with ongoing approval processes when the order comes into effect have 60 days to comply with the new requirement. Failure to appoint a local representative within this timeframe will result in the archival of the application process.
Ensuring Local Compliance Through Representation
This measure is intended to strengthen ARN’s ability to enforce regulations, monitor product compliance, and facilitate communication with responsible entities. If your organization intends to certify ICT or telecom equipment for the Guinean market, we recommend leveraging our Product Certification Service to identify qualified local partners and ensure timely compliance.
Impact Assessment
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Technical Standards? ❌ No
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Type Approval & Market Access? ❌ No
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Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance? ❌ No
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Spectrum Management? ❌ No
