Robot certification in Canada: CSA/cUL, ISED and UL 3300 for robot makers

Short answer: To be sold and used in Canada, a service robot, delivery robot, cleaning robot or AMR has to clear two mandatory gates. Electrical safety is provincial: the robot and its charging dock each need a certification mark from a body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), such as CSA, cUL or cETL. A US-only UL mark is not enough. Radio is federal: anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a cellular modem needs ISED certification and an "IC:" number on the label, and an FCC grant does not count in Canada. Digital electronics also need an ICES-003 label. UL 3300, the binational standard for service robots, is not named in any Canadian law, but it is often the standard a lab uses to evaluate a service robot for that electrical mark.

This page is for robot makers planning their first shipments to Canada, especially makers based outside North America. It summarises the official texts listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-28. It is not legal, regulatory or certification advice: which standards apply to your product is decided by your certification body. KeepRobots is a robot field service company. We do not test, certify or file certifications for anyone.

Robot certification in Canada at a glance

Electrical safety: why the robot needs a Canadian mark

Electrical product safety in Canada is regulated by the provinces, and the rules line up closely: equipment without an accepted mark may not be sold or used.

• British Columbia. Section 21(1) of the Electrical Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 100/2004) says a person must not use electrical equipment in BC, or sell, display or otherwise dispose of it for use in BC, unless it carries a certification mark, a mark accepted for a specific installation, or an approval mark issued under section 10 of the Safety Standards Act. Technical Safety BC's bulletin on approved marks (Revision 13, May 22, 2024) points to the SCC for the full list of accredited certification bodies.
• Ontario. The Electrical Safety Authority says a product must be approved by an accredited certification or evaluation agency, and carry its mark, before it is "used, sold, displayed or advertised for sale in Ontario", and that installing or connecting unapproved electrical equipment "is against the law".

Which marks count

Marks from certification bodies accredited by the SCC. Ontario's ESA publishes the most complete public list; it includes CSA, UL and ULC, Intertek, TÜV Rheinland, TÜV SÜD, QPS, SGS, Nemko, Eurofins (formerly MET), DEKRA, Bureau Veritas and others. Three mistakes we see makers worry about most:

• UL is not cUL. A US-only UL listing without the "c" (Canada) indicator is not a Canadian approval. Look for cUL, cULus or "C-US" style marks, or ask the lab to include Canada in the same project.
• A certified power supply is not a certified robot. ESA lists component marks separately as marks that are "not Recognized on Complete End-use Products": they are "intended to be used as part of a larger approved product or system". A certified adapter or battery pack does not certify the robot.
• The dock counts. A charging dock plugged into a wall outlet is electrical equipment in its own right and needs its own mark.

Demo units and pilots without a mark

• Field evaluation. An accredited inspection body can evaluate a single unit on site and label it. Technical Safety BC names the "SPE1000 model code field approval" as an acceptable approval label, and ESA lists the bodies whose SPE-1000 field evaluation marks it recognizes (CSA, Intertek, QPS, ULC, TÜV SÜD America, Nemko Canada and others). This suits a handful of pilot or demo robots, not volume sales.
• Short display in BC. Section 21(4)(a) of the BC regulation allows unapproved equipment to be displayed for up to 14 days with the regulator's written permission. Apply before the trade show, not at the booth.

Planning a demo tour? Our guide to running robot sales demos in North America covers carnets, batteries and who looks after the unit; the certification question comes first.

ISED radio certification: why an FCC grant is not enough

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) says radio equipment must meet its requirements "before it can be imported, sold or used in Canada", and that devices without a certification number on the label are "not approved for use in Canada". Canada and the US run separate systems. An FCC ID does nothing in Canada, and an IC number does nothing in the US.

How certification works

• Who certifies. Under RSP-100 (Issue 12), a certificate can be issued by ISED's Certification and Engineering Bureau or by a recognized certification body (CB), including foreign CBs designated under an agreement Canada is party to, such as the Canada–US mutual recognition arrangement. Under that arrangement, test reports from recognized labs and certificates from recognized CBs are accepted, so one lab can often handle FCC and ISED in the same project.
• Canadian representative. RSP-100 section 4.1: "A Canadian representative is required when the applicant's company address is not within Canada." The representative answers ISED's questions about the product and provides audit samples at no charge.
• Standards. RSS-Gen (Issue 6, July 30, 2026, Amendment 1 of September 15, 2026) sets the general rules. The technical standard depends on the radio: RSS-247 (Issue 4, July 24, 2025, Amendment 1 of October 8, 2026) covers frequency-hopping and digital transmission systems in the 902–928 MHz, 2400–2483.5 MHz and 5725–5850 MHz bands and licence-exempt LAN devices in the 5 GHz bands, which is where Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios are typically assessed. Your lab confirms the full list, including RF exposure (RSS-102).

Certified modules: when the robot needs its own certificate

RSP-100 section 8 says a host product is not required to be certified separately if all of its intentional emissions come from certified modules, integrated according to the module maker's instructions, and the final product still meets RSS-Gen, including RF exposure. Two exceptions matter for robots:

• Handheld or wearable parts. Section 8.2 requires host certification for handheld and wearable hosts, with a narrow exception for a host with only one SAR-exempt module (or one at 0.4 W/kg or lower). A handheld host with multiple modules needs host certification in all cases. A handheld remote or teach pendant with its own radios is a separate product to check.
• Integration still matters. Section 8.1 requires modules to be integrated per the module holder's instructions, and the finished robot must meet RSS-Gen, including RF exposure (RSS-102). A robot with separate Wi-Fi, LTE and Bluetooth modules that transmit at once should have the combination reviewed by your lab.

What goes on the label

• The number. RSS-Gen 9.4.4.1: "IC: XXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY", starting with the five-digit company number (CN) ISED assigns, followed by a product number of up to 11 letters and digits. The product marketing name, HVIN and certification number must match ISED's Radio Equipment List (REL).
• Modules inside. RSS-Gen 9.4.4.2: each module's number must stay visible once installed, or the host label shows it as "Contains IC: XXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY".
• E-labels. A robot with a screen can show the label electronically (RSS-Gen Annex B), no more than three steps from the main menu, and the packaging still needs a physical label when the robot is imported, distributed and sold.
• English and French. RSS-Gen 9.3.1 requires the notices in the user manual "in both English and French". This applies everywhere in Canada, not only Quebec.

ICES-003 for the electronics

Even without a radio, a robot's digital electronics fall under ICES-003 (Issue 7). Measurements follow CAN/CSA-CISPR 32 or ANSI C63.4, and the label reads "CAN ICES-003(A) / NMB-003(A)" or the Class B equivalent. Class B limits are stricter; which class applies is for your lab to confirm.

Before buying modules or shipping, look up every IC number in the ISED Radio Equipment List.

UL 3300, UL 3100 and the robot-specific standards

No Canadian law says "service robots must be certified to UL 3300". The law asks for an accepted mark; the certification body decides which standards it evaluates the robot against to grant it. For mobile robots that usually means a base product standard plus a robot standard:

There is no separate Canadian certification category for humanoids or quadrupeds; they are evaluated for electrical safety, radio and whichever robot standard the lab considers applicable. That path is the least settled, so talk to a lab early. For the scope of UL 3300, what it excludes and how it compares with UL 1740, see UL 3300 for service robots.

Three things makers forget: batteries, French and consumer products

• Lithium batteries. Transport Canada says every lithium battery design must meet the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, that you need a proof of classification, and that importers must follow the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for classification, documents, labels, packaging and training. Batteries installed in the robot and spare packs ship under different rules, so confirm with your forwarder.
• French in Quebec. Section 51 of Quebec's Charter of the French language requires every inscription on a product, its container or wrapping, and the documents supplied with it, "including the directions for use and the warranty certificates", to be in French. Other languages may be added but may not be more prominent. Even if you start in BC, the ISED manual notices are bilingual anyway.
• Consumer vs commercial. The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act applies to products that "may reasonably be expected to be obtained by an individual to be used for non-commercial purposes". Commercial delivery and cleaning robots are generally outside it; home robots are inside it, with its reporting and recall duties.

Canada vs the US: what changes, what carries over

The FCC rule is why some makers now look at Canada first for new models. An ISED certificate and a Canadian mark let you sell and support a robot in Canada, but they do nothing for its US status. See the FCC Covered List for robots, US vs Canada and US or Canada first?

Pre-shipment checklist

• Robot nameplate carries a Canadian mark (CSA, cUL/cULus, cETL or another SCC-accredited mark), not only a US mark.
• The charging dock has its own mark.
• Every radio module, or the robot itself, has a valid IC number that you have looked up in the REL; the label shows "IC:" (or "Contains IC:") and the HVIN.
• If the robot has several radio modules or a handheld radio part, your lab has confirmed whether host certification or extra RF exposure assessment is needed.
• The label carries the ICES-003 statement.
• A Canadian representative is named if the ISED application is in a foreign company's name.
• Manual notices are in English and French; for Quebec, the labels, manual and warranty are in French too.
• Battery test summary and proof of classification are on file, and the forwarder has confirmed how the batteries ship.
• Uncertified demo or pilot units have a field evaluation or written display permission booked.
• Copies of certificates are ready for customers: large buyers, landlords and insurers ask for them.

What KeepRobots can do

KeepRobots is a robot field service company in Vancouver, serving Canada and the United States in English and Mandarin. We are not a lab or a certification body; for certification, go to an SCC-accredited body or an ISED-recognized CB. Once your robot is certified, we can do what happens on site: unboxing and power-on checks, mapping, elevator and door integration, training and acceptance; hourly repair and preventive maintenance; pre-sales demos; and spare parts and idle-unit storage in Vancouver. Our engineers read Chinese technical documents and can work with your factory team during their hours.

Current rates, before tax: diagnostic C$200 per robot, per visit in Canada (US$200 in the US), credited if you approve the repair; C$100 call-out per visit in the Greater Vancouver core zone; on-site labour C$150 per hour in Canada (US$150 in the US). Travel outside the core zone and for US jobs is quoted per project. See robot field service in Canada and the robot deployment checklist, or email partners@keeprobots.com with your robot type, certification status and target cities.

中文版：服务机器人进加拿大要哪些认证：CSA/cUL、ISED、UL 3300 一文看懂.

Full roadmap: How to expand a robot company into North America.

FAQ

What certifications does a robot need to be sold in Canada?

Two are mandatory for almost every commercial robot: an electrical safety mark from an SCC-accredited certification body (such as CSA, cUL or cETL) on the robot and its charging dock, required by provincial law; and ISED radio certification, with an "IC:" number on the label, for any Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular radio. Digital electronics also need an ICES-003 label, and lithium batteries must meet the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria for transport.

Is FCC certification valid in Canada?

No. Canada certifies radio equipment through ISED, a separate system. The same lab can often test a robot for the FCC and ISED in one project, but you get two certificates and two numbers: an FCC ID and an IC number.

Is UL 3300 mandatory in Canada?

No law names it. Canadian law requires an accepted certification mark; ANSI/CAN/UL 3300 is a binational standard that a certification body may use to evaluate a service robot for that mark. Large customers increasingly ask about it. Commercial floor-cleaning robots usually follow CSA C22.2 No. 336 instead.

Does a robot with certified Wi-Fi and LTE modules need its own ISED certificate?

Often, yes, if every intentional emission comes from ISED-certified modules: RSP-100 section 8 says such a host does not need separate certification. The modules must be integrated per their instructions and the finished robot must still meet RSS-Gen, including RF exposure. Handheld or wearable hosts are different: section 8.2 generally requires host certification, and always when they contain multiple modules. The label must also show each module's number, for example "Contains IC: XXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY". Confirm with your lab.

Can I use a robot with only a US UL listing in Canada?

Not as is. A UL mark without the "c" (Canada) indicator is not a Canadian approval. Ask the lab to extend the listing to Canada (a cUL or cULus mark), or for a few units, book a field evaluation by an accredited inspection body.

How do I show an uncertified prototype at a trade show in Canada?

Book a field evaluation (for example to SPE-1000) so the unit gets an approval label, or, in BC, ask the regulator for written permission to display unapproved equipment for up to 14 days under section 21(4)(a) of the Electrical Safety Regulation. Do it weeks ahead.

Does Canada restrict foreign-made robots like the FCC Covered List?

As of October 28, 2026 we found no similar Canadian measure. The FCC rule (DA 26-786, effective July 28, 2026) has no legal effect in Canada, and a Canadian certificate does not help a robot's US status.

Sources (checked 2026-10-28)

• BC Electrical Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 100/2004, section 21: bclaws.gov.bc.ca
• Technical Safety BC, Approved certification marks – electrical products (Revision 13, 2024-05-22): technicalsafetybc.ca
• Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario), Recognized certification marks: esasafe.com
• Standards Council of Canada, accredited organizations: scc-ccn.ca
• ISED, Certification program: ised-isde.canada.ca
• ISED RSS-Gen, General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus (Issue 6, Amendment 1): ised-isde.canada.ca
• ISED RSP-100, Certification of Radio Apparatus and Broadcasting Equipment (Issue 12): ised-isde.canada.ca
• ISED RSS-247 (Issue 4, Amendment 1): ised-isde.canada.ca
• ISED ICES-003, Information Technology Equipment (Issue 7): ised-isde.canada.ca
• ISED Radio Equipment List search: sms-sgs.ic.gc.ca
• UL Solutions, Consumer and commercial robots (UL 3300, OSHA NRTL): ul.com; ULSE store, UL 3300: shopulstandards.com
• WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 12, section 12.83: worksafebc.com
• Transport Canada, Shipping and importing lithium batteries: tc.canada.ca
• Charter of the French language, CQLR c C-11, section 51: canlii.org
• Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, section 2: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
• FCC Public Notice DA 26-786 and DA 26-1154 (Appendix B, updated 2026-10-23): docs.fcc.gov, docs.fcc.gov

This page summarises public regulatory texts for orientation only, as of 2026-10-28. It is not legal, regulatory or certification advice. Standards and their scopes change; your certification body decides which apply to your product. KeepRobots does not provide testing or certification services. Rates are KeepRobots' current published rates, before tax, and may change.