Introduction
On 9 May 2025, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued enforcement notices to 13 major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho for listing walkie-talkies without mandatory approvals. This CCPA walkie-talkie crackdown underscores a simple truth: wireless device compliance in India is no longer optional.
Thesis: Every manufacturer, importer, brand and marketplace seller must bake Equipment Type Approval (ETA) and WPC licence compliance into their workflows to avoid customs seizures, delistings and stiff penalties. As reported by Times of India, e-commerce platforms across India were given 15 days from the date of the notice to update listings with mandatory ETA numbers, WPC licence disclosures and frequency details
The New Enforcement Landscape
CCPA’s Mandate under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Under Sections 10–18 of the Act, the CCPA can investigate unfair trade practices, order product recalls, impose fines up to ₹10 lakhs per offence and issue sector-specific guidelines. Recent actions, like pricing probes into Ola/Uber and refund orders to BluSmart, show its reach extends well beyond traditional consumer goods.
Scope of the May 2025 Crackdown
Notices went to Amazon, Flipkart, OLX, TradeIndia, IndiaMART, JioMart, Facebook Marketplace and others. Hundreds of walkie-talkie listings per platform were flagged for missing ETA certificate numbers, absent WPC licence disclosures and no frequency specs, a textbook case of e-commerce regulatory enforcement.
Why ETA & WPC Licences Matter
Equipment Type Approval (ETA)
Any device operating in “license-exempt” bands (e.g., 446 MHz walkie-talkies, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi) must secure ETA via the Saral Sanchar portal. Without it, shipments risk customs detention, and platforms will delist non-approved models turning your supply chain into a cash-burning bottleneck.
WPC Operating Licence
Devices outside de-licensed bands or above permitted power (like long-range VHF/UHF radios) require an individual licence under the Telegraph Act. Failing to manage WPC licence compliance exposes you to criminal liability, CCPA fines and forced product withdrawals.
Anatomy of the CCPA Notices
Core Violations Identified:
- No ETA certificate numbers or proof of license-exempt status
- No disclosures on required WPC operating licences
- Missing technical specs (frequency, power limits)
Information Demanded: seller details, listing URLs, sales volumes and all compliance documentation. The CCPA even coordinated with DoT and the Home Ministry, making clear that wireless device compliance in India is now a multi-agency priority.
Proposed Draft Guidelines (2025)
CCPA’s upcoming “Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Sale and Use of Licensed Frequency Range Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus…” will mandate:
- Pre-listing due diligence: Verify ETA or licence-exempt status before any product goes live.
- Seller & certificate verification: Only approved sellers with valid WPC licences may be listed.
- Automated monitoring & takedown: Keyword filters and API checks to flag non-compliant listings in real-time.
- Clear consumer disclosures: Display licence requirements, frequency-range warnings and ETA numbers front-and-centre.
- Platform liability & penalties: Repeat non-compliance by marketplaces invites hefty fines and corrective orders.
Real-World Impacts
- Manufacturers & Importers: Risk shipments stuck in customs and blocked market access without proper ETA.
- Private-Label Brands & Resellers: Exposure to delistings, CCPA penalties and reputational harm if you can’t document WPC licence compliance.
- Marketplace Operators: Embedding compliance checks into seller onboarding and listing reviews is now mission-critical, or faces severe enforcement action.
How NKG Advisory Keeps You Ahead
- End-to-end ETA Dossier Preparation
• Lab-report coordination
• Template-driven submissions
• Self-declaration enablement - WPC Licence Guidance & Renewals
• Application support
• Regulator follow-ups
• Automated expiry alerts - Compliance-Ready Label & Listing Reviews
• Packaging and user-manual audits
• E-commerce metadata checks aligned to draft CCPA criteria
Quick Compliance Checklist
- Audit all walkie-talkie SKUs for valid ETA certificates.
- Verify which products need WPC operating licences.
- Update packaging and online listings with frequency-range details and licence numbers.
- Schedule quarterly platform audits, or engage NKG Advisory for a turnkey compliance package.
Conclusion
The CCPA walkie-talkie crackdown makes clear: that regulatory compliance for wireless devices in India is a must, not a may. Don’t let unapproved products derail your supply chain or erode your brand.
Contact NKG Advisory today for consultation on ETA certifications and WPC licence strategies.
Looking for more insights on compliance, certifications, and industry updates? Explore our blog page for expert guidance and actionable information. Visit Now
