FCC Certification in the United States

I. Introduction to FCC Certification:
FCC is the abbreviation of Federal Communications Commission (www.fcc.gov). FCC certification is a mandatory certification for electronic products to enter the US market. It covers more than 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States.
FCC certification is a mandatory EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) certification in the United States, mainly targeting electronic and electrical products within the frequency range of 9KHz - 3000GHz. The content involves various aspects such as radio and communication, especially the radio interference issues of wireless communication devices and systems, including radio interference limits and measurement methods, as well as the certification system and organizational management system. Products subject to FCC regulation include, for example: personal computers, CD players, copiers, radios, fax machines, video game consoles, electronic toys, televisions, microwave ovens, and other products. These products are classified into two major categories, CLASS A and CLASS B, according to their usage. Class A products are used for commercial or industrial purposes, and Class B products are used for household purposes. FCC has more stringent regulatory requirements for Class B products, with lower limits compared to Class A. For most electronic and electrical products, the main standards are FCC Part 15 and FCC Part 18.

II. Forms of FCC Certification:
FCC has three certification modes for different products, namely: Verification, Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and Certification. Different certification modes require the testing laboratory to be recognized by FCC, and there are different application, testing, and declaration requirements.

1. Verification: That is, self-verification. The manufacturer or importer ensures that their products have undergone the necessary tests to confirm that the products meet the relevant technical standards and retains the test reports. The testing laboratory should be an FCC LISTEE, and all approved sites are published on the official website. FCC has the right to require the manufacturer to submit device samples or product test data. Devices suitable for self-verification include commercial computers, TV and FM receivers, and industrial, scientific, and medical devices for non-consumer use under FCC Rule Part 18.

2. Declaration of Conformity (DoC): That is, a declaration of compliance. The party responsible for the device (usually the manufacturer or importer) has the product tested by an FCC-designated qualified testing agency to ensure that the device meets the relevant technical standards and retains the test report. The certification issuing agency must be authorized by NVLAP/A2LA. FCC has the right to require the responsible party to submit device samples or product test data. Devices suitable for the Declaration of Conformity include home computers and their peripherals, civil broadcast receivers, super-regenerative receivers, other receivers under FCC Rule Part 15, television interface devices, cable system terminal equipment, and industrial, scientific, and medical devices for consumer use under Part 18.

3. Certification: That is, ID certification. Certification is the process by which FCC signs the device approval based on the application and test data. FCC reviews the samples (or photos) and test data submitted by the applicant. If they meet the requirements of FCC rules, the device will be authorized an FCC ID number. Devices suitable for certification include low-power transmitters such as cordless phones, remote controls for automatic doors, radio-controlled toys, and security alarm systems, devices that intentionally emit radio frequency energy under Part 15, industrial, scientific, and medical devices for consumer use under Part 18, automatic frequency conversion receivers and super-regenerative receivers, television interface devices, as well as home computers and their peripherals. The responsible party should ensure that the device has an FCC ID mark.

III. Main Standards of FCC
The following are the main standards of FCC, among which FCC PART 15 and PART 18 are the most widely applied:
FCC Standard Application Scope
FCC PART15 C/E/F Testing of Intentional Radiating Devices
FCC PART 18 Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment
FCC PART 22 Public Mobile Communication Services
FCC PART 24 Personal Communication Services
FCC PART 25 Satellite Communication Services
FCC PART 27 Other FCC Wireless Communication Services
FCC PART 68 Telecommunication Terminal Equipment
FCC Part 15 makes regulations for intentional, unintentional, or transient transmitting devices that do not require a personal license during use. It includes technical specifications, administrative requirements, and other market access conditions. Products are mainly divided into four categories: unintentional radiating devices, intentional radiating devices, personal communication devices without a license, and national basic information devices without a license.
FCC Part 18 makes regulations for the electromagnetic energy radiated by industrial, scientific, and medical equipment (ISM) operating within a certain frequency spectrum to avoid harmful interference from such equipment to authorized wireless communication services.

IV. Specific Steps for Customers to Entrust the Application for FCC Certification:

1. The customer submits an application form (our company provides a blank application form);

2. The customer signs a commissioned testing contract with our company;

3. Send samples for testing and prepare electrical schematic diagrams, external/internal photos, oscillator circuit block diagrams, user manual nameplate markings, working principle descriptions, etc. (vary according to the product);

4. After passing the test, if it is an FCC VOC certification, our company will directly issue a certificate of conformity and a report. If it is an FCC DOC or ID certification, our company will submit the application materials to the FCC-authorized certification issuing agency;

5. After the enterprise obtains the FCC certification, it can use the FCC mark on the product.
Note: The list of materials and requirements for FCC ID certification submission are as follows:

1. FCC Application Form: Information such as the name, address, contact information of the applying company, product name and model, and applicable standards should be accurate;

2. FCC Authorization Letter: It should be signed, stamped by the contact person of the applying company, and scanned into an electronic file;

3. FCC Confidentiality Letter: The confidentiality letter is an agreement signed between the applying company and the TCB institution for the confidentiality of product information. It should be signed, stamped by the contact person of the applying company, and scanned into an electronic file;

4. Block Diagram: All crystal oscillators and their frequencies need to be drawn, and it should be consistent with the circuit diagram;

5. Circuit Diagram: It must be consistent with the crystal oscillator frequencies, the number of crystal oscillators, and their positions in the block diagram;

6. Circuit Description: It should be in English and clearly describe the principle of the product's function implementation;

7. User Manual: It should have an FCC warning statement;

8. Label and Label Position: The label should have an FCC ID number and a Statement, and the label position should be prominent;

9. Product Internal and External Appearance Photos: The pictures should be clear, and additional remarks should be added if necessary;

10. Test Report: The test should be completed, and the product should be comprehensively evaluated according to the standard clauses;

V. Scope of Products Subject to FCC Certification

1. FCC Certification for Power Supplies: Communication power supplies, switching power supplies, chargers, monitor power supplies, LED power supplies, LCD power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), etc.;

2. FCC Certification for Lighting Fixtures: Pendant lights, track lights, garden lights, portable lights, downlights, LED street lights, light strings, table lamps, LED spotlights, LED bulbs, grid lights, aquarium lights, street lights, LED tubes, LED lighting fixtures, energy-saving lamps, T8 tubes, etc.;

3. FCC Certification for Home Appliances: Fans, electric kettles, audio equipment, televisions, mice, vacuum cleaners, etc.;

4. FCC Certification for Electronics: Earplugs, routers, mobile phone batteries, laser pointers, vibrators, etc.;

5. FCC Certification for Communication Products: Telephones, wired telephone wireless master and slave units, fax machines, telephone answering machines, modems, data interface cards, and other communication products.

6. FCC Certification for Wireless Products: Bluetooth (BT) products, tablet computers, wireless keyboards, wireless mice, wireless readers and writers, wireless transceivers, walkie-talkies, wireless microphones, remote controls, wireless network devices, wireless video transmission systems, and other low-power wireless products, etc.;

7. FCC Certification for Wireless Communication Products: 2G mobile phones, 3G mobile phones, 3.5G mobile phones, DECT mobile phones (1.8G, 1.9G frequency), walkie-talkies, etc.;

8. FCC Certification for Machinery: Gasoline engines, welding machines, numerically controlled drilling machines, tool grinders, lawn mowers, washing equipment, bulldozers, elevators, punching machines, dishwashers, water treatment equipment, gasoline generator welders, printing machinery, woodworking machinery, rotary drilling rigs, lawn trimmers, snow blowers, excavators, printing presses, printers, cutting machines, road rollers, troweling machines, brush cutters, hair straighteners, food machinery, lawn mowers, etc.