What is FCC Certification?
FCC stands for Federal Communications Commission. The FCC certification or FCC mark is a certification mark employed on all electronic products
manufactured and sold in the United States.The FCC enforces this requirement, per Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR).
What Products Require an FCC Certificate?
All radio frequency (rf) equipment sold or distributed in the U.S. must go through testing to ensure they are compliant with the FFC standards under the EMC directive. The testing limits the intentional and unintentional electromagnetic radiation emitted from rf equipment to ensure all users are safe. Compliance Testing can help your company get an FCC certificate for various types of rf emitting devices such as:
- Wireless local area networking equipment
- Radio and telecommunications terminal equipment
- Blue tooth devices
- Walkie-talkies
- Mobile phones
- Electronic products
- Cordless telephones
- Remote control transmitters
- Power adapters
- Electromagnetic compatibility products
- Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive
- Telecommunication equipment
- IT equipment
- Walkie talkies
- Etc
What Is the Process for Obtaining FCC Certifications?
The FCC authorization process begins once you are ready to mass-produce your devices. The devices are tested to determine if they can cause interference with other equipment and whether it is broadcasting in the suitable radio frequency range. It is also tested against other telecommunications requirements covered under the regulatory codes.
The FCC categorizes digital devices into two testing classes:
- Class A testing: Class A testing covers devices typically used in industrial, commercial, and engineering settings.
- Class B testing: Class B testing covers consumer devices. The testing requirements for class B devices are typically higher.
What Are the Benefits of FCC Certifications from Compliance Testing?
More comprehensive market access
The FCC certification can help you access a broader market. Essentially, the certification allows more people to trust your devices in terms of safety. The certification is considered permanent and thus does not expire, meaning an unaltered product doesn’t need recertification in the future for you to introduce it to the market.
Legal benefits
Essentially, you cannot introduce an electronic device in the U.S. market without an FCC certification. Devices that lack approval are considered public health risks and may attract litigation that attracts penalties and jail terms for manufacturers and distributors. However, with an FCC certification, you have a legal right to sell your products in the U.S. market.
Competitive advantage
The FCC mark demonstrates that a product is tested and verified. Because consumers prefer FCC-certified products over uncertified products, you gain a competitive advantage when your products go through the certification process.
