If you market an electronic product on Amazon that falls within the scope of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Part 15 (also referred to as the FCC Part 15 rules), Amazon will likely ask you to provide proof that your device complies with FCC Part 15 at some point.
This information is typically provided as part of your device’s product detail page in the Safety & Compliance section. Depending on your device type, Amazon may require that you demonstrate your products comply with FCC regulations via an FCC ID or Declaration of Conformity (SDoC).
In some cases, Amazon may temporarily restrict your listing if your product does not adequately demonstrate that it’s compliant with FCC regulations.
If your device is non-compliant, or if you haven’t completed FCC testing and received equipment authorization for your product , you will need to test your device in an accredited lab and receive equipment authorization in order to continue selling on Amazon.
Below, we’ve explained everything you need to know about FCC Part 15 compliance for selling on Amazon. We’ve also discussed how our team can help you with this process, from carrying out testing for your device to getting an FCC ID and/or authorization for your product.
Want help now with FCC compliance for Amazon? Contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287 to talk to our engineers and compliance specialists about FCC compliance, or to request a free, no-obligation quote for testing and achieving FCC compliance for your device.
What is FCC Part 15?
FCC Part 15 is a section of the FCC rules and regulations that provides standards by which all electronic devices capable of emitting radio frequency (RF) energy must comply in order to be sold in the United States.
Compliance with FCC Part 15 is mandatory for almost all electronic devices capable of emitting RF energy, including devices that do not deliberately produce electromagnetic waves. A limited number of devices have exemptions from FCC Part 15.
Under FCC Part 15, devices need to demonstrate that their radio frequency emissions and level of immunity to radio frequency emissions from other devices are within certain limits.
Radio frequency emissions include radiated emissions (emissions that travel wirelessly from a device) and conducted emissions (electromagnetic energy that travels along a device’s power and/or signal lines).
Immunity refers to a device’s ability to continue operating normally when it’s exposed to radio frequency emissions from other electronic devices.
Radio frequency emissions can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI may result in a range of problems, some serious, including inaccurate readings from measurement equipment, loss of signal and other issues with electronic devices.
You may have noticed the effects of EMI before if you used a phone near audio equipment, or when your TV’s signal becomes weaker and less reliable when other devices are switched on and used in a shared area.
What is an FCC ID?
An FCC ID is a unique identification code that’s granted to electronic devices that receive FCC certification. It consists of two parts — a three-to-five character alphanumeric string that’s called a grantee code, and a product code of up to 14 characters that identifies the product model.
The FCC maintains a database of FCC IDs assigned to electronic devices, allowing consumers to search online and verify that a device is certified.
Not all electronic devices have an FCC ID. Typically, devices classified as intentional radiators, which are subject to the FCC certification process (explained in more detail below) will display an FCC ID on their device and/or packaging.
If your device is an intentional radiator, Amazon may require you to provide your device’s FCC ID as part of your listing’s verification and compliance process.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Radiators
Intentional radiators are devices that deliberately use radio frequency waves to communicate, such as phones, Wi-Fi equipment and Bluetooth devices. These devices need to complete the FCC certification process in order to gain an FCC mark and go on sale on Amazon.
Unintentional radiators, on the other hand, are devices that can emit radio frequency waves as part of their operation, but aren’t designed specifically to use radio frequency energy.
Examples of unintentional radiators include computers, printers, USB devices, certain musical instruments that use electricity, and most home lighting systems. These devices typically need to gain FCC authorization via the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) process. Our guides to intentional radiators and unintentional radiators provide more information about these types of devices and their respective FCC compliance procedures.
Amazon and FCC Part 15 Compliance
As a large e-commerce company, Amazon requires that vendors selling devices that fall under the FCC Part 15 rules demonstrate compliance. If your device doesn’t have sufficient evidence of compliance, Amazon may temporarily restrict your listing.
Amazon requires you, as a seller, to demonstrate compliance with FCC regulations for several reasons. First, selling non-compliant products can potentially result in fines and other penalties from the FCC, including penalties that may affect Amazon as a business.
The FCC regularly takes action by fining non-compliant product distributors, with some fines in the millions of dollars.
Second, Amazon wants to ensure that devices sold on its platform provide a good experience for customers. Requiring FCC compliance helps to prevent devices that could cause EMI from entering onto Amazon’s marketplace.
If your device does not have accurate or current FCC compliance information, you may receive an email from Amazon with a title similar to the following:
“Action required for some of your listings on Amazon.com (Radio Frequency Devices)”
You can enter your device’s FCC compliance information into Amazon’s system in the Safety & Compliance section of Amazon Seller Central.
How to Achieve FCC Compliance for Amazon
- Determine the correct authorization procedure for your device. Depending on your device type, you may need to complete the full FCC certification procedure or prepare a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity. Feel free to contact our team and we can help you understand the correct compliance procedure for your device.
- If possible, conduct pre-compliance testing. If you’re designing your own device, it’s helpful to start testing for compliance early. Performing early EMC tests can help you to identify and solve potential compliance issues early in the design process.
- Carry out FCC compliance testing. In order to receive equipment authorization from the FCC, you’ll need to test your device in an accredited lab. Our ANSI-accredited lab can complete FCC testing and provide all documentation for your electronic device.
- Compile all relevant documentation. Following testing, you’ll compile documentation to prepare as part of your SDoC or FCC certification application. This includes technical documentation for your device, test results, and other information.
- Submit your FCC application package. If your device requires certification, you will submit your documentation to the FCC using a Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB). We are an accredited TCB who can complete this step of your process.
- Affix the FCC mark and ID to your device. After receiving certification or completing the SDoC process, you’ll need to affix the FCC mark to your device. Our guide to FCC labeling explains the requirements for device and/or packaging FCC labels.
- Provide FCC compliance data to Amazon. Depending on your device type, Amazon may require your product’s SDoC name, contact information and mailing address, and your device’s FCC ID.
You can enter this information using Amazon’s Manage Inventory tool. Full instructions for the FCC radio frequency emission compliance process for Amazon can be found on this Amazon Seller Central help page.
Contact Us for Help With FCC Compliance for Amazon
As an ANSI-accredited testing lab, we’ve helped hundreds of electronic device manufacturers, importers and distributors achieve FCC equipment authorization. Many of our customers have devices listed on Amazon and depend on our team for FCC testing and compliance.
We can assist you with the entire FCC testing and compliance process for Amazon, including testing your device, helping you achieve authorization, and providing any documentation you need to demonstrate your product’s compliance to Amazon.
To talk to our engineers and compliance specialists, or to request a quote for FCC testing and compliance for your device, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.
