WorldDAB is moving closer to making digital radio an asset during emergency situations. A worldwide product certification scheme for the new DAB+ Automatic Safety Alerts (ASA) system has launched, with DTG Testing appointed as the authorised global partner to provide testing and certification. The new scheme ensures that products with the ASA logo have passed the certification process and comply with minimum requirements.

The technical standards for the new ASA feature were published by ETSI in September 2024, with the first consumer receivers incorporating ASA made available to consumers later this year.

Three key features make the DAB+ ASA system different from every other emergency warning system available:

• location targeting – only people in affected areas are notified
• signalling between ensembles – receivers analyse references to warning announcements on other radio stations, increasing the flexibility and reach of the warnings
• wake up modality – receivers can be woken up by DAB+, especially important for alarm clock radios

“ASA will help broadcasters and regulators to position broadcast as an asset in emergency situations given it is a robust and hack-resistant technology, as well as meeting the objectives of cultural diversity,” according to WorldDAB Project Director, Bernie O’Neill. “This helps justify the required investment in the technology as there’s a clear benefit.”

Lindsay Cornell, Chair of WorldDAB’s Technical Committee said: “We’re delighted to be able to invite manufacturers to participate in the new scheme at the earliest opportunity. We’ve worked with DTG Testing to make certification as straightforward and quick as possible, taking under two weeks. We know the new scheme will deliver real benefits for both manufacturers and consumers, giving them the confidence that a certified device has been tested and will deliver safety alerts reliably when they are needed the most.”