CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018): Radiated Emission Limits for Vehicles, Boats, and Internal Combustion Engines in Canada

Scope and Application

CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) is the Canadian national adoption of the international standard CISPR 12, titled Vehicles, boats, and internal combustion engines – Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement. This standard specifies radiated emission limits and associated measurement procedures for electromagnetic disturbances produced by:

Vehicles propelled by an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a combination of both (hybrids and plug-in hybrids);
Boats with inboard or outboard engines;
Internal combustion engines and electric motors used in non-vehicular applications (e.g., generators, lawnmowers, construction equipment).

The frequency range covered is 30 MHz to 1000 MHz, encompassing radio, television, and many mobile communication services. The standard is referenced by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) in its EMC compliance requirements for automotive and engine products sold in Canada.

Important: CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) is a dual-numbered standard identical to the international CISPR 12 edition current at the time of adoption (typically the 2009 consolidated edition), with additional national deviations documented in a Canadian appendix. Users must consult the most recent version for current requirements.

Technical Requirements and Emission Limits

Fundamental Disturbance Classification

The standard distinguishes between two types of radiated disturbances:

Broadband disturbances (e.g., from ignition systems, brush motors, switching transients);
Narrowband disturbances (e.g., from clock oscillators, microcontrollers, inverters).

Different limits apply depending on the disturbance type. Measurements are performed with either a quasi-peak (QP) or average (AV) detector, as specified.

Radiated Emission Limits at 10 m

The following table summarises the primary limits for vehicular and engine applications when measured at a distance of 10 metres.

Frequency (MHz)	Broadband Limit (dBµV/m) – QP	Narrowband Limit (dBµV/m) – AV
30 – 75	34	24
75 – 400	34 – 45* (linear increase with log frequency)	24 – 35*
400 – 1000	45	35

* Limits increase linearly from the lower value at 75 MHz to the higher value at 400 MHz when plotted on a logarithmic frequency axis.

Note: For small engines and equipment not integrated into a vehicle (e.g., handheld tools), field strength limits are measured at 3 m or 10 m, with scaling according to the inverse-distance law applicable for far-field conditions. CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) provides specific limit adjustments in its national annex.

Canadian National Deviations

The CSA edition includes a national annex that tailors the standard to Canadian regulatory needs. Key deviations may include:

Clarification of ISED Equipment Certification requirements;
Designation of measurement distances preferred by Canadian regulators (often 10 m for full-size vehicles);
Guidance on the use of alternative test sites (e.g., open-area test sites vs. fully anechoic rooms).

Measurement Methodology and Test Setup

Test Site Requirements

Measurements must be performed at a site validated to the requirements of CISPR 16-1-4. The preferred test site is a 10 m semi-anechoic chamber or a qualified open-area test site (OATS). For large vehicles, an outdoor site may be necessary.

Antenna and Polarisation

Biconical (30–300 MHz) and log‑periodic (300–1000 MHz) antennas are typical. Both vertical and horizontal polarisations are measured. The antenna height is scanned over 1 m to 4 m to capture the maximum field strength.

Vehicle and Engine Operating Conditions

Vehicle propulsion: The engine is run at a steady speed (typically 1500 rpm or 40 km/h on a dynamometer) for ICE; electric vehicles are tested in drive mode and, separately, during charging.
Ancillary systems: Windscreen wipers, HVAC, lights, and other electrical loads are cycled to generate worst-case broadband emissions.
Engine-only devices: Units are operated at rated speed under no load or a representative load.

Measurement Detectors and Bandwidth

Measurements employ the following settings per CISPR 16-1-1:

Frequency	Detector	Bandwidth	Step Size
30 – 1000 MHz	Quasi‑peak / Average	120 kHz (QP), 1 MHz (AV for NB)	50 kHz (broadband) or 1 MHz (narrowband scan)

Tip: Because the limits are relatively low, especially in the lower 30–75 MHz range, careful ambient noise monitoring is critical. Baseline noise floor should be at least 6 dB below the limit line to ensure valid measurements.

Compliance and Regulatory Notes

Canada’s Regulatory Framework

In Canada, compliance with CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) is mandatory under ISED’s Radio Standards Specification (RSS)‑Gen and specific equipment‑type standards. A valid test report from an accredited laboratory must be submitted during the Equipment Certification process for:

On‑road vehicles and motorcycles (RSS‑102 / RSS‑310 related);
Off‑road vehicles (snowmobiles, ATVs);
Stationary engines and generator sets.

Compliance Variations

Although CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) is technically harmonised with the international CISPR 12 standard, manufacturers using a test report from an IEC‑member laboratory should ensure that the Canadian deviations are also covered. Often a simple statement of equivalence is sufficient, but ISED retains the right to request additional testing under the national annex.

Caution: The 2018 reaffirmation of this standard does not include major technical changes from the previous edition, but users must verify they are referencing the exact version cited in their ISED certification file. Using an outdated edition may lead to rejection of a certification application.

Renewal and Maintenance

The standard is subject to periodic review by the CSA TC on EMC. The next revision is expected to align with the upcoming CISPR 12 7th edition, which will introduce changes such as:

Extended frequency range (to 6 GHz for new services);
Revised limits for electric vehicle charging emissions;
Measurement uncertainty clarifications.

Good practice: Design engineers should incorporate margin (e.g., > 2 dB) against the limit values during the product development phase to account for production variations and test repeatability.

For vehicles equipped with wireless transceivers (e.g., LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth), note that CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) covers only unintended emissions. Co‑located intentional radiators must comply with separate RSS standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) and the international CISPR 12:2009 edition?
A: The Canadian version is technically identical to the international standard but includes a national annex that clarifies ISED testing requirements and may specify minor deviations, such as mandatory measurement distance or documentation format. The CSA adoption ensures the standard can be referenced in Canadian regulation.

Q: Does the standard apply to electric vehicles (EVs) while charging?
A: Yes. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids must be tested both in the drive/ready mode and in charging mode (connected to the grid). The standard includes specific operating conditions for charging to avoid underestimating emissions from on‑board chargers and converters.

Q: What is the typical test distance for a standard passenger car?
A: The reference distance is 10 m. However, an alternative distance of 3 m may be used for smaller devices or if the site limitations require it, provided the results are properly scaled using the inverse‑distance assumption (20 dB/decade in the far‑field). The Canadian annex permits 3 m testing for engines and equipment not exceeding a defined size.

Q: How does this standard relate to other vehicular EMC standards like CISPR 25?
A: CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 (2018) addresses radiated emissions from the complete vehicle or engine unit as a source. CISPR 25 deals with component‑level emissions and immunity testing inside a vehicle. Both may be required depending on the compliance route: CAN CSA CISPR 12-10 for whole-vehicle certification, CISPR 25 for component development.

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