Frequently asked questions about Qualification Program Reference Document (QPRD) v3? (effective July 1, 2024)

Introduction

The following are frequently asked questions about the Qualification Program Reference Document version 3 (QPRDv3), which took effect on 1 July 1 2024.

QPRDv3 general FAQs

Where can I read the updated policy?

The Qualification Program Reference Document (QPRD) v3 is available in two formats:

• QPRDv3 PDF download
• QPRDv3 HTML version

When did the new policy go into effect?

Qualification Program Reference Document (QPRD) v3 went into effect on 1 July 2024 UTC, after the final Bluetooth® SIG Board of Directors approval on 11 June 2024.

Are there any changes to qualification fees?

The qualification fees have not changed, but there has been a terminology change: the Product Qualification Fee has replaced the Declaration Fee.

How will I qualify my Product under the new policy?

Members complete the following steps to qualify their product(s).

Members have several options for specifying the Design. The option applicable to your product depends on whether new features were implemented and whether any existing Designs were used. The QPRD and the new qualification tool will help you determine the proper option. To read more about the options, see QPRD Section 3.2.

I previously qualified my product(s) under Program Reference Document (PRD) version 2.3. Do I need to change anything?

Products that previously completed the Bluetooth Qualification Process correctly are not impacted by the change and are still displayed in the Qualified Product Database.

How will specification deprecation and withdrawal impact product qualification?

Members are permitted to qualify their product using Designs that implement deprecated specifications, as long as the deprecated Layers are not modified during the Bluetooth Qualification Process. If a Member uses a Design that implements a deprecated specification and requires modification to the impacted Layer's ICS to reflect additional features added, the deprecated Layer must be updated to an active specification during the qualification process through the Create a New Design option (QPRD Section 3.2.2.2).

Designs that implement withdrawn specifications cannot be used in the Use a Single Existing Design option. Designs that implement withdrawn specifications can be used in the Create a New Design option, but the Member must remove the impacted Layer or update the Layer to an active specification.

As a supplier, what should I provide to my customers, and what do they need to know to qualify their own product?

As a supplier of Bluetooth technology solutions, there are some things you should know about the new policy to help your customers.

The identifying number for a Design has changed from Qualified Design ID (QDID) to Design Number (DN). A DN can be referenced by other Members completing the Bluetooth Qualification Process, as QDIDs were in Launch Studio. As a supplier, it is crucial that you provide the DN(s) or QDID(s) for any Qualified Products sold to customers so they can complete the Bluetooth Qualification Process for their products.

Product Types are no longer supported. Designs have Core Configurations that determine permitted combinations. In addition to removing Product Types, the rules regarding Component reassessment every three years have been removed.

I have additional questions; where can I get answers?

If you have additional questions about the QPRD, submit a support request to our support staff.

Webinar Q&A

The following questions were asked by attendees of the QPRDv3 Webinar.

How much is the Qualification Fee? Are the fees changing with QPRDv3?

Qualification Fees are not changing with QPRDv3. Members can view the current fee schedule.

Is there an administrative fee to qualify additional products using the same Design Number (DN)?

No, subsequent product submissions from the same Member company that include the same Design Number (DN) will not be charged a Product Qualification Fee.

Is it mandatory to use a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant?

It is not required to use a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant. Bluetooth Qualification Consultants are recommended if you would like assistance completing the Bluetooth Qualification Process or verifying that products meet all qualification requirements. See the list of current Bluetooth Qualification Consultants.

How much do Bluetooth Qualification Consultants charge?

Bluetooth Qualification Consultants are independent consultants. Each Member company that engages a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant is responsible for establishing the terms of its relationship with the consultant, including payment and scope of services.

Does a product using a design based on an existing QDID have to be tested if there are new custom services being added that are not defined in the Bluetooth specifications?

No, custom and proprietary profiles and services are outside the scope of the Bluetooth Qualification Process. If you are using an existing Design with no changes to the Bluetooth-compliant portions, use Option 1 to specify the Design and complete the qualification process.

Is it permitted to reuse test reports from a Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) for lower layers like LL, HCI, and RF-PHY, assuming test cases are not affected by TCRL changes?

Members should use good engineering practices to determine which mandatory test cases are impacted by the modifications and execute those test cases. Members may use previous test evidence for non-impacted mandatory test cases. When a Member uses previous test evidence, the Member is still responsible for ensuring that the Design complies with the Bluetooth specifications.

Is it required to enter product details before specifying the design?

Yes, product details must be entered before specifying the Design. However, they can be easily changed before submission if needed.

How many products can you have per qualification? What if my product is being sold under different names in different locations?

There are no limits to the number of products your company can submit using the same Design. Each variant of a product's name and/or model number must be included in the Qualified Product Database.

My product won't be commercially available until next year. When should I start the qualification process?

The qualification process can be completed up to three months before the product details are made public. If the details do not need to be withheld from public view and there will not be any changes to the Design, the qualification process can be completed any time before the product's release.

What do you mean by "using the same design?" Would using the same Bluetooth chip but different form factors be "using the same design?"

Yes, if there are no changes to the Bluetooth-compliant portion and claimed capabilities (Implementation Conformance Statement or ICS), it is considered the same Design.

Will unused Declaration IDs be converted to Receipt Numbers?

Unused Declaration IDs will be available to use as a Receipt Number in Qualification Workspace.

If we are designing our Bluetooth module by using a qualified Bluetooth chip, do we need to qualify our product separately?

Yes, all Members must complete the Bluetooth Qualification Process for their products. Depending on whether there are changes to the Bluetooth compliance portions, testing may not be required.

How is the term "Product" defined? Is the Bluetooth module the product, or are devices that use the Bluetooth module along with other ICs considered to be the product?

Both are considered products using Bluetooth technology, and both must complete the qualification process and be listed in the Qualified Product Database. The module manufacturer will perform the qualification process for the Bluetooth module product, while their customers who integrate the module in their product will perform the qualification process for their product that uses the Bluetooth module.

What happens if the consistency check has inconsistencies?

Members must address inconsistencies by correcting the ICS Form so that it passes the consistency check, or provide a valid Test Coverage Waiver (TCW) that indicates that the requirement has been waived before submission. For more information, see ICS Form Inconsistencies for Inter-Layer Dependencies.

Can expired component QDIDs assessed over three years ago be used in the qualification process?

Yes, if the component is not impacted by specification withdrawal, it can be used, even if it has been more than three years since its last assessment.

How can I access the qualification tool?

Members can access Qualification Workspace.