France expanded and amended regulations for fire safety and public...
France expanded and amended regulations for fire safety and public order in parts of buildings open to the public, including requirements for wireless telecommunications, it said Jan. 17 in a notification to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade.…
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The notification specifically addresses requirements for radiocommunication gear. Preparatory work under a 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference agenda item will address a wide range of issues related to spectrum allocations, regional and global harmonization of networks for broadband public protection and disaster relief. “The operator must have a fixed technical installation to ensure continuity of radio communications in the infrastructural parts of the building,” it said. “The operator shall survey, install, use and maintain this installation in accordance with the provisions set out in the … technical instruction” and will be subject to government inspection every three years. The French departments of civil security and fire safety are responsible for the changes. The notification was made because a relevant international standard doesn’t exist or the technical content of the proposed regulation isn’t in accordance with the content of relevant standards. The other reason is that it might have a significant influence on the trade of other WTO member countries. The rules are expected to be adopted in April and enter into force in July. The WTO committee meets next in March.