A radio communication system (100) transmits performance requirement notifications defining performance requirements for the operation of a radio equipment (101). The performance requirements are received from a regulation body responsible for certifying the operation of the communication system (100). The reconfigurable radio equipment (101) comprises a reconfigurable radio element (303) and a secure certification processor (301). The secure certification processor (301) comprises a monitoring processor (325) which monitors compliance of the reconfigurable radio element (303) with a set of performance requirements. A validation processor (321) verifies the performance requirement notification and a requirements processor (323) updates the performance requirements in response to the notifications if these are valid. The monitoring processor (325) enters the reconfigurable radio equipment (101) into a limited mode of operation if the reconfigurable radio element (303) is not compliant with the performance requirements.