Industry

Digital Radio Tick Mark scheme

The Digital Radio Tick Mark scheme was established by Digital Radio UK at the request of the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport in 2013 to ensure that DAB digital radio receivers meet specified performance criteria and standards, including the ability to receive DAB+ services, and give consumers confidence when buying a device that it would be future-ready and enable them to receive the available DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations.

Digital Radio UK developed the scheme in partnership with Government, broadcasters, transmission providers, techUK, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the supply chain, and it is now a recognised European standard with ETSI approval. When shown on the packaging of digital radio devices, the Tick Mark logo certifies the radio has been tested and approved and can receive all the DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations available at its location of use.

Applying for the Tick Mark is voluntary, and in order to be granted use of the Tick Mark manufacturers must put their product(s) through testing to prove they meet the minimum specification. The Tick Mark identifies DAB products that have met these specification.

The Tick Mark helps consumers choose quality products which meet minimum functionality requirements. It helps manufacturers because it defines what is needed, technically, in the UK to ensure the product works where it should work. It helps broadcasters by ensuring listeners can receive all their available services.

Per Product applications

A variety of DAB product types are eligible for the Tick Mark, including: DAB receivers (domestic and in-vehicle); DAB handheld receivers (please email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com if you are applying for a handheld receiver); HiFis with DAB (domestic); DAB head units (in-vehicle); DAB adapters (in-vehicle and domestic); and new vehicles (in-vehicle).

Core Technology Provider applications

The core technology inside DAB devices can also be Tick Mark approved, and in order for an end product to be Tick Mark approved, it must use approved technology.

Use of the Tick Mark logo will be granted on approval from Digital Radio UK. The logo can appear on packaging, at retailer point of sale, online and on other marketing materials. Once a manufacturer or technology provider has been granted use of the mark, they will be sent artwork files and Brand Guidelines on how to use the Tick Mark logo.

Application forms to apply for the Tick Mark

Per Product applications: Download an application form to apply for the Digital Radio Tick Mark here.

Technology Provider applications: To apply for Technology Provider approval please contact DTG Testing here.

Technical documents and guidance notes

Most European countries adopt ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) European Standards for radio equipment. In 2020 the ETSI specification used as the technical basis of the Tick Mark scheme was updated (to ETSI TS 103 461 V 1.2.2) and to ensure the Tick Mark retains alignment with international ETSI standards, the scheme has transitioned to this new version.

During 2021 manufacturers were granted the option to continue to request certification against either TS 103 461 v 1.1.1 or TS 103 461 V 1.2.2. This flexibility finished at the end of 2021, however, and from 1 January 2022 all core technology submitted for testing for Digital Radio Tick Mark approval must meet the requirements of the TS 103 461 V 1.2.2 specification, and from 1 April 2022 all products submitted must be tested against the requirements of the TS 103 461 v 1.2.2 specification.

The new requirements of TS 103 461 V 1.2.2 are:

All products must also be tested for alarm announcement capability
Automotive products must also be tested for service following with the ECC
Automotive products subject to the EECC must also be tested for Fig 2 labels.

All existing DRUK certifications and use of the Digital Radio Tick Mark remain valid but it is important to note that core technology certified for TS 103 461 V 1.1.1 will not support new products to be Tick Mark certified after 1 April 2022 as they have not been tested to support alarm announcement capability or on automotive products for Fig 2 label capability and for service following including the ECC capability.

Further detail is available in the detailed guidance notes here. If you have any questions please contact the test houses, DTG and Intertek for clarification or email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com.

You can download the ETSI minimum requirements and test specifications for products and technology here: ETSI TS 103 461 V 1.2.2

These documents include:

Minimum Specification for FM, DAB and DAB+ domestic digital radio receivers
Minimum Specification for FM, DAB and DAB+ in-vehicle digital radio receivers
Technology Provider Test Specification
Per Product Test Specification

Change to product testing:
The update relates to the ability for products to react to alarm announcements when listening to any DAB service on an ensemble with alarm announcements activated.

Change to core technology testing:
The changes relate to the ability to deliver alarm announcements, as above, and in addition, to the ability to decode FIG type 2 labels and service following with ECC.

Additional ETI test files have been added which support the new version of the ETSI standard and are available from the DTG – existing licensees will receive a free update to the full file set.

Further information can be found in the DRUK Tick Mark Evolution document here. Please email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com with any queries.

Approval process for DAB receiver manufacturers

Per Product Testing

Step 1 – Access the technical documents and read the guidance notes, all of which can be found in the section above.

Step 2 – Use an approved technology provider (see section below for details) with approved silicon and software or use your own approved bespoke technology.

If you are unsure whether your technology provider is approved please ask them for a signed Technology Provider Application Form proving their compliance against the Minimum Specification. If you are making your own bespoke technology this will need to be approved. See Technology Provider process below for further information.

Step 3 – Prove your product’s ability to meet the Minimum Specification by passing the Per Product Test and completing an application form, available to download here.

It is possible to submit multiple applications based on one test. The product tested should be a fair reflection of the finished product (which would later go onto use the Tick Mark). This can be a reference model, prototype, late prototype, beta quality product, or finished product.

Step 4 – Submit your Per Product application form, along with your Approved Technology Reference Number to tickmark@digitalradiouk.com. Once complete, these documents prove compliance. In cases where the receiver does not use approved technology, please also submit your entire technology provider results.

Digital Radio UK advises receiver manufacturers to carry out their Per Product Test in an approved test house and will fast track applications that do so. Digital Radio UK aims to return all applications that have gone through an approved test house within 14 days. Approved test houses are listed here.

For manufacturers applying for the Tick Mark for product that has not been tested in an approved test house, Digital Radio UK reserves the right to ask the manufacturer to carry out further testing and ask for pictures of the testing facility and details of the equipment used. Digital Radio UK will aim to return all applications that have not gone through an approved test house within 1 month.

Please email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com if you are applying for a DAB handheld receiver.

Products aimed at the vehicle market (aftermarket and line fit) do not have to carry out a radiated sensitivity test as part of the Per Product test. The two main components of the Per Product Test for an in-vehicle DAB receiver manufacturer are:

Testing the receiver’s ability to retune
A receiver sensitivity test (radiated or conducted)

If you are applying as a product intended to be used in a vehicle, Digital Radio UK recommends that you carry out a field test.

Please email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com for the current service following test route.

Step 5 – If the application is approved, Digital Radio UK will then send the applicant Brand Guidelines and an Authorised User License. The Brand Guidelines state the rules around use of the Tick Mark. You must sign and return the Authorised User License to tickmark@digitalradiouk.com.

Step 6 – Once Digital Radio UK has received the signed Authorised User License, we will then send the applicant the Tick Mark logo artwork files.

Re-submitting DAB receiver products using the existing product but with new technology

Submit your Per Product application form, along with your Existing Approved Product Reference Number and your new Approved Technology Reference Number to tickmark@digitalradiouk.com. Once complete, this document proves compliance. DRUK will then issue you with a new reference number and licence to confirm approval.

Approval process for vehicle manufacturers

Approval process for technology providers

How to make a change request

Multiple applications for product variants

Digital Radio UK is happy to consider multiple applications for product variants based on the same chassis/design, based on one receiver test, subject to an appropriate level of commonality between products.

Digital Radio UK will not consider multiple applications based on one receiver test if there are variations between the receivers of a nature likely to affect compliance. As receivers with an attached antenna are more susceptible to performance variation arising from model differences the requirements for commonality are tighter.

Receivers supplied with an antenna that is either attached, integral or is designed for use in close proximity to the radio (eg domestic radios).

Where a manufacturer submits multiple applications based on one receiver test,they must confirm that the following items are identical between receivers:

The module/RF circuitry and any circuit boards, their position and orientation and any software elements on which compliance depends – This is the basis for the receiver’s functionality and should be identical for applications of this nature
Additional functionality – if a receiver includes wifi or Bluetooth for example, this can have a significant effect on sensitivity.
Case, wiring/cabling together with physical size and orientation of display and any battery pack – the physical layout of the circuitry and any metalwork can have a significant effect on sensitivity and variants will inevitably have different cable layouts, particularly where cases are different.
The antenna, its positioning and any ground plane – the type of antenna and any ground plane, their dimensions and positioning relative to the rest of the receiver can have a significant effect on the receiver’s sensitivity

Receivers designed for use with a screened receive section or case and with a coaxial connection to a remote antenna (eg in-vehicle radios, in-vehicle adaptors, hi-fi tuners).

Where a manufacturer submits multiple applications based on one receiver test, they must confirm the following about receivers:

The module/circuit board and any software elements on which compliance depends are identical – This is the basis for the receiver’s functionality and should be identical for applications of this nature.
Alternate features and functionality – that any alternate features or functionality do not interact with the product in a way that detrimentally affects compliance (eg sensitivity impacted by interference conducted back along power rails).

Please note, the above is meant as a guide. If you have questions about this please email tickmark@digitalradiouk.com.

Approved DAB Products

Approved Technology Providers

Download the list of Approved Technology Providers below:

Approved Technology Providers

Please get in touch with tickmark@digitalradiouk.com if you have any questions.

Approved Test Houses

Brand Guidelines and Tick Mark logo artwork