Testing Lab of Power Supply/ IT / AV Products

Qi certification from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) is the industry standard for wireless charging interoperability. This guide covers the Qi certification process for wireless chargers, testing requirements, and strategic considerations for manufacturers entering the wireless charging market.

Why Qi Certification Matters

Qi (pronounced "chee") certification ensures that wireless chargers and receivers are interoperable across different manufacturers. Key reasons to pursue Qi certification:

• Market access: Major retailers and platforms require Qi certification for wireless charger listings

• Interoperability guarantee: Certified products work reliably with all Qi-certified devices

• Legal compliance: Using the Qi logo without certification violates WPC trademark rules

• Consumer confidence: Qi mark is recognized as the standard for safe and compatible wireless charging

The WPC manages two Qi power profiles: Baseline Power Profile (BPP, up to 5W) and Extended Power Profile (EPP, up to 15W). The latest Qi 1.3 specification adds enhanced authentication and foreign object detection requirements.

Qi 1.3 Certification Testing Requirements

Under the Qi 1.3 specification (effective January 2024 for new certifications), wireless charger testing includes:

Conformance Testing

• Power transfer protocol compliance — communication handshake, power control negotiation

• Signal timing and modulation verification — ASK modulation on power carrier, FSK from transmitter to receiver

• Resonant circuit parameters — coil inductance, capacitance, quality factor

Interoperability Testing

• Testing with WPC reference receivers to verify cross-device compatibility

• Foreign object detection (FOD) verification — must detect metallic objects and reduce or stop power delivery

Authentication (Qi 1.3 New Requirement)

• Hardware authentication IC requirement for EPP transmitters

• Certificate provisioning through WPC-authorized process

Qi Certification Application Process

Steps to obtain Qi certification:

1. ①Join WPC:Become a WPC member (Regular or Associate level) to access the specification and certification process

1. ②Pre-compliance testing:Conduct internal testing using the WPC compliance test tool before formal submission

1. ③Submit to ATL:Send samples to an WPC-authorized test laboratory (ATL) for formal conformance and interoperability testing

1. ④Certificate provisioning:For EPP Qi 1.3, obtain authentication certificates through the WPC provisioning service

1. ⑤Product listing:WPC publishes the certified product in the Qi product registry

Typical timeline: 6-10 weeks from sample submission to product listing. GTG Group provides pre-compliance testing and Qi certification support to help manufacturers achieve certification efficiently.

Regulatory Certification in Addition to Qi

Qi certification addresses interoperability but does not replace regulatory requirements. Wireless chargers must also obtain:

• China:SRRC certification (radio equipment) + CCC certification (safety)

• EU:CE-RED certification (radio + EMC) + CE-LVD (safety)

• USA:FCC Part 15/18 certification + UL safety listing

Planning Qi and regulatory certification in parallel can significantly reduce the overall time-to-market.

This article is AI-assisted and for reference only. It does not constitute any certification commitment or legal advice. Please refer to the latest official regulations.

Contact: 18826804895 | net01@gtggroup.com