Are you the proud creator of an innovative electronic device and have plans to introduce your product(s) to the vast United States market? If so, then you will most likely need an FCC certification. An FCC certification is essential to ensure that your products not only work flawlessly but also meet the stringent regulatory standards set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

The FCC plays a critical role in preserving public safety, ensuring reliable communication, and maintaining fair competition. By adhering to FCC regulations and obtaining the necessary certifications, you can demonstrate that your devices are both safe and compliant, building trust in potential customers and opening doors to the U.S. market. The FCC’s involvement is crucial in ensuring that your innovative creations don’t interfere with existing products and pose no risks or harm to the public. 

The FCC has established specific technical standards for evaluating electrical and electronic products based on the type of radiofrequency they emit. This is an important step in ensuring the safety and reliability of these products before they can be authorised and certified for use. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the FCC certification requirements, address common questions, and provide valuable insights into the certification process. 

I. Understanding FCC Certification

A. What is FCC Certification? 

FCC certification is a type of product certification for electronic products that are manufactured or sold in the United States. It is a mandatory process that evaluates and approves wireless communication devices and products for compliance with FCC rules and regulations. Specifically, it certifies that these devices meet specific technical standards and that the radio frequency emitted from a product is within limits to minimise interference and preserve public safety.

B. Exploring FCC Rules and Regulations

The use and certification of wireless communication devices are controlled by a set of rules and regulations that the FCC has developed. Numerous topics are covered by these regulations, such as frequency utilisation, emission restrictions, and labelling specifications. For you to receive certification, you must comply with these regulations.

Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) outlines the rules and regulations of the FCC. Thereby, testing is classified by the type of device as follows:

-FCC Part 11 Emergency Alert System

-FCC Part 15  Radio Frequency Devices

-FCC Part 18 Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment

-FCC Part 22 Public Mobile Services

-FCC Part 24 Personal Communications Services

-FCC Part 68 Private Line Services

-FCC Part 90 Private Land Mobile Radio Services

-FCC Part 95 Personal Radio Services

In order to ensure the safety and integrity of electronic devices, the FCC requires a certification for any device operating at frequencies higher than 9 kHz. Manufacturers have the responsibility of ensuring that their products neither pose any risks to the general public nor cause interference with other devices. To obtain certification, all electrical products must undergo thorough testing and meet strict emission standards. Failure to obtain the necessary approval can result in penalties and the return of uncertified products. By adhering to the FCC’s certification process, manufacturers can demonstrate their commitment to producing reliable and compliant devices, thereby protecting both consumers and the integrity of the overall electronic industry.

C. Differentiating FCC Certification and FCC License 

There is a notable difference between FCC certification and FCC licence. Certification refers to the approval of a particular electronic device, ensuring that it meets the necessary technical standards and regulations. On the other hand, an FCC licence grants permission to operate within specific frequency bands, ensuring that the device can transmit and receive signals legally. Both FCC certification and an FCC licence are indispensable for compliance and gaining market access. While certification guarantees the device’s adherence to safety and performance standards, the licence authorises its operation within designated frequency ranges. Manufacturers must obtain both FCC certifications and FCC licences to ensure full compliance and the lawful use of electronic devices in the United States.

II. FCC Certification Requirements

A. Who Needs FCC Certification?

Any person or business that manufactures or imports wireless communication products into the United States must have an FCC certification. Mobile phones, wireless routers, Bluetooth gadgets, and other similar devices fall into this category.

B. Which Products Need FCC Certification?

The products that need FCC certification are divided into two main categories: intentional radiators and unintentional radiators. 

-Intentional radiofrequency energy radiators, such as mobile phones, must emit radiofrequency energy in order to function.

-Unintentional radiofrequency energy radiators include devices like laptops that could generate and distribute radio waves by accident.

Some examples of products that often need FCC certification are the following: 

• FCC certification for Mobile Phones
• FCC certification for Wireless Devices
• FCC certification for Electronic Products
• FCC certification for Electromagnetic Compatibility Products
• FCC certification for Power Adapters
• FCC certification for IT Equipment
• FCC certification for Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
• FCC certification for Bluetooth Devices
• FCC certification for Garage Doors and Openers
• FCC certification for Remote Control Transmitters
• FCC certification for Land Mobile Radio Transmitters

C. Does FCC Certification Expire? 

The certification does not expire. As long as a product continues to meet the FCC’s technical standards and criteria, it remains valid. However, manufacturers must address any product changes without delay to maintain compliance. 

D. How to get FCC certification – Process Overview

If you are wondering how to get an FCC certification for your product, read the analytical process below. So, if you want to receive certification, you must follow a certain procedure. This process includes testing the product’s emissions and submitting pertinent data to the FCC. But let’s check in more detail all the necessary steps of this process:

1. Radiofrequency selection: The radio frequency of electrical devices must be kept within the acceptable limits set by the law. So, you can check the FCC’s rules as a guide on radio frequencies. 

2. Pre-compliance testing: It requires conducting preliminary tests and evaluations to assess a product’s compliance with the applicable regulations before undergoing formal certification testing. Pre-compliance testing can help you to identify and address potential issues or non-compliance early on, saving time and resources in the long term. By performing these tests in-house or with the assistance of specialised laboratories, you can gain valuable insights into your product’s performance, emissions, and susceptibility to interference, in order to make necessary design adjustments and ensure a higher likelihood of passing formal certification tests afterwards. Ultimately, pre-compliance testing serves as a proactive measure to improve the chances of obtaining regulatory compliance and streamlining the certification process.

3. FCC registration: To complete the FCC registration process, you should first identify the specific type of registration you need. Then you need to create an FCC user account through the FCC’s online registration system. You can then fill in your information, and once you have completed the registration, you will receive a Federal Registration Number which serves as a unique identifier for your registration. Thereafter, you can complete and submit the  FCC registration form. Depending on the type of registration, you may be required to pay certain fees. After submitting your registration form and payment (if applicable), you will receive a confirmation. Subsequently, the FCC will review your application, and once approved, you will receive further instructions or documentation.

4. Compliance testing: Compliance testing is a crucial process that ensures products and systems meet specific regulatory standards and requirements. It involves testing and evaluating the product’s performance, functionality, safety, and adherence to industry-specific guidelines and regulations. Compliance testing helps manufacturers and businesses validate that their products or systems meet the necessary criteria for legal and industry conformity. It typically involves rigorous testing procedures conducted by accredited laboratories or in-house testing facilities. By undergoing compliance testing, organisations can identify any potential issues or areas of non-compliance early on, allowing them to make necessary adjustments and modifications to meet the required standards. Ultimately, compliance testing helps ensure the safety, reliability, and quality of products and systems, instilling confidence in customers and regulatory bodies.

5. Certification: If your product’s testing is successful, a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) will examine the test results and will give the approval on behalf of the FCC. After that, the TCB will upload the product’s information to the FCC database and you will receive a Grant of Equipment Authorization (GEA). The GEA allows products to be legally marketed and sold in the United States.

E. FCC Certification Cost Considerations 

The cost of certification varies depending on the product’s complexity, the number of tests required, and the involvement of outside testing labs. For example, the price for testing a single-channel radio that transmits and receives signals will be around $5,000. Thus, when planning for FCC certification, it’s important to take into account these expenses.

Conclusion

If you have an electronic product and are ready to expand into new markets, such as the USA, you need an FCC certification. Compliance with FCC rules and regulations will not only give you access to the market but also guarantee your products’ safety and reliability. 

At Tradesnest we work with many consumer electronics brands from the EU and around the world that try to enter the US market and we know how daunting this process can be. One of our partners, 360Compliance is a dominant player in the product certification market, and they can guide and support you through this process. Obtaining certifications is often a challenging process, and therefore, having a valuable partner can shorten the time to market (TTM).
If you are looking to enter the US market and you have an innovative consumer electronics product, sign up today on Tradesnest.com – the No. 1 platform to find the best distribution partners around the world.