Matter Certification#
Why Certify#
Matter Certification is required for all Matter devices. Unlike other networking protocols, non-certified Matter devices are prevented from commissioning into Matter networks. Matter's secure design requires that every joining device proves they are Matter Certified. This is part of the commissioning process called Device Attestation. Refer to Device Attestation for more information on how the various Matter Certificates and Credentials are used in the Matter Commissioning Process.
Matter Certification Paths#
There are two different types of products that can apply for Matter Certification:
Matter Hardware Certification#
This group of certification is for embedded devices and end products, like a Matter Light or Matter Switch, that include both the software and hardware together. Typically, this is the main type of Matter Certification.
Matter Software Component Certification#
This group of certification is for Matter Software Components, like App-based devices or a Matter Controller, where the Matter Software Component runs on a Connectivity Standards Alliance Supported Operating Environment.
Matter Testing Options#
Authorized Test Lab (ATL): This is the most common testing option where you can choose a Connectivity Standards Alliance approved test house to perform Matter Certification Testing (https://csa-iot.org/certification/testing-providers/).
Specification Validation Event (SVE): The Connectivity Standards Alliance will host certification events where Matter Products can be tested. If a Matter product successfully completes the full phase testing series, then this product will be deemed eligible for certification and will not require additional testing.
Pre-Testing using the Matter Test Harness#
The Matter Test Harness (TH) is a comprehensive tool used for certification testing of Matter devices in accordance with the Matter protocol as defined in the Matter specification.
Download: The Matter TH can be downloaded from the Matter TH User Guide.
User Guide: A detailed user guide is available here.
Official Documents: The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) posts the official release documents on the Matter Specifications and Test Plans causeway link.
It is recommended to always cross-reference the Matter TH User Guide with these official documents.
Pre-testing new Matter products using the Matter Test Harness (TH) before sending them to an ATL is highly recommended. This ensures a smoother process and catches any errors in advance. Some benefits of pre-testing include:
Cost Efficiency: Testing is expensive. Pre-testing reduces the risk of re-testing by catching potential issues early.
Firmware Updates: If the ATL requires new firmware due to issues, they may need to rerun more than just the failed test, leading to additional costs.
Support: If issues are encountered during pre-testing, Silicon Labs can provide more efficient support.
Test Accuracy: Occasionally, issues can arise from the test itself rather than the Device Under Test (DUT) firmware. In such cases, additional parameters might be needed to run certain tests successfully. Pre-testing helps identify and address these issues ahead of time.
If your Matter ceritifcation process includes inheritance of our OpenThread Certification Libraries for an SoC product, you will need to provide proof of the use of those libraries using the linker output. To ensure your project generates this, make sure during your pre-testing to do the following (these steps assume the use of Simplicity Studio v5):
Add the OpenThread Certification Libraries component to your project.
Add the "-WL,-verbose" linker option through gcc (see screenshot below):
Open the project properties by either right-clicking the project and selecting Properties from the Project Explorer or from the Project menu at the top while the project is selected.
On the left side, browse to C/C++ Build > Settings.
Under Tool Settings, browse to GNU ARM C++ Linker > Miscellaneous.
Under Linker Flags, add a new entry containing "-Wl,--verbose" and click Apply and Apply and Close.
Finally, from the Project menu choose Clean... and perform a clean and fresh build.
Possible Matter Certification Paths#
Certification by Testing a Single Product: This is full testing at an ATL or SVE and is intended for newly designed products.
Product Family Certification: This certification is intended to certify variants of the same product. This path requires the first "parent" product to be fully tested either at an ATL/SVE, and then the other "family" products are certified without need for testing.
Certification by similarity (CbS): This certification is intended for a very similar product that has already been certified by either standard or product family certification. If a Matter product qualifies for CbS, you can get your new product certified without additional testing. The Connectivity Standards Alliance certification team will need to determine if this is an applicable route.
Certification Transfer Program (CTP): This certification is for re-labeling a product manufacturer by another member. This requires an Associate Connectivity Standards Alliance membership level and to partner with an Alliance Participant or Promoter member.
Matter Certification Flow#
Become a Member.
There are different tiers of Connectivity Standards Alliance memberships that offer your company varying levels of access and benefits. The minimum membership tier required to get certified is Adopter level. More information on various membership levels can be found on the Connectivity Standards Alliance website, Become a Member | The Future of IOT - IOT.
Request a Vendor ID From the Alliance Certification Team.
Once you are a member, you will need to request a Vendor ID. Once issued, the Vendor ID will be listed in the Manufacturer code database in the Connectivity Standards Alliance which is updated monthly. For certification, you will also need to decide on a Product ID (PID) to make up your own unique 16-bit number to identify your distinct Matter products. You may have as many PIDs as you want, but each has to have its own unique certification ID. For development purposes, Silicon Labs provides 'test' VID and PID for our Sample Applications.
Finalize Product & Select a Network Transport Layer.
You need to determine what Network Transport Layers you will be using. Typically this is a choice between Wi-Fi and OpenThread. In this stage, it is a good idea to pre-test your products before sending out for certification testing.
Obtain Transport Layer Certification from the Relevant Standards Organization.
You are required to have proof that your device passes all relevant Networking Protocol Certification before officially applying for Matter Certification. The Connectivity Standards Alliance will accept certification by inheritance if it is applicable to your device.
OpenThread Certification (Thread 1.3.0 or later): OpenThread certification is done through the Thread Group (https://www.threadgroup.org/thread-group). Certification by inheritance is available for certain Silicon Labs SoC devices if using the Certified Thread Component Libraries (https://community.silabs.com/s/article/Thread-Certification-Overview?language=en_US). If the Matter Product is using Host/RCP architecture, it will need to go through OpenThread Certification on its own.
BLE Certification (LE v4.0 or Later): BLE Certification is done through Bluetooth SIG (https://www.bluetooth.com/develop-with-bluetooth/join/). Certification by inheritance can be available in certain cases if the design and functionality is unaltered from the certified QDID. If you are able to inherit our End Product / Subsystem results, you can skip Bluetooth testing.
Wi-Fi Certification processes (Wi-Fi 4 /802.11n or later). Wi-Fi certification is done through the Wi-Fi Alliance (https://www.wi-fi.org/membership).
Ethernet Transport Protocol: This certification can be received by showing evidence of successfully passing self-defined / self-testing of IEEE PMA.
Test your Product.
Note: You should always pre-test your product before going to a test house.
As mentioned above, there are a few certification paths to take:
CTP / CbS Program. You are not required to do additional testing and can move forward to step 6.
Select a Connectivity Standards Alliance Authorized Test Provider for Matter testing and submit your product for testing. After testing is completed, the test provider will issue a final test report to you and the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
Complete SVE Testing
Submit Certification Application via the Certification Web Tool.
You need to create a Certification Tool Account (https://csa-iot.org/certification/tools/certification-tool/) to submit your Matter Certification Application.
In this application, you will need to determine the Matter Certification Device type and specify if the Matter product is a Software Component or Hardware Solution. Specifically, you will need to select all applicable Matter Device Types that your Matter product implements. More information on Matter Device Types can be found in the Matter Device Library Specification: (https://csa-iot.org/developer-resource/specifications-download-request/). You will also need to provide the PID/VID of the Matter product to be Certified. You will need to submit the following documents:
PICS: Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement document used in product certification. This can be generated by the PICS Tool, which can be found at PICS Tool | Connectivity Standards Alliance - IOT.
Declaration of Conformity
Network Transport Attestation (Attestation of Network Transport Protocol Conformance / Certification Form): Proof of Certification for any underlying platforms / protocols used in your Matter Application, i.e. OpenThread Certification, BLE Certification, and/or Wi-Fi Certification. This is detailed in Step 4 above.
Security Attestation
Application review by the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
They will go through paperwork and ensure that all data is included and properly completed and compliant with the Matter Certification Process. Upon Application Approval, you will receive the following documents:
Certificate of Compliance
Public listing of certified products on the Connectivity Standards Alliance website
Matter Certified Logos are now authorized to be used with your certified Matter product
Certification Declaration (CD) Blob File
Certified Product Record Added to the Distributed Compliance Ledger.
More information on the DCL can be found in the next section, Distributed Compliance Ledger.
Memberships#
The minimum membership level required for Matter Certification when developing your own product is the Adopter level. For more information on Connectivity Standards Alliance Memberships, see https://csa-iot.org/become-member/.