If you’re developing or importing an electronic device into the United States, one critical thing to be aware of is its FCC certification status.
By law, electronic devices that can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) need to have valid equipment authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to go on the market in the United States.
For many devices, this means completing FCC testing and receiving FCC certification for EMC compliance.
The FCC has two main options for electronic devices — certification, which is the most thorough and intensive process, and Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), a less stringent option that’s only available for certain device types.
In this guide, we’ve covered exactly what FCC electrical certification is, as well as how it differs from the less stringent SDoC process. We’ve included a list of common device types that need to be certified in order to gain the FCC mark, as well as the steps involved in certification.
Need more help with FCC testing and compliance for your device? Contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287 to ask our engineers and compliance specialists a question or request a free, no-obligation quote for testing and certifying your device.
What is FCC Electrical Certification?
FCC electrical certification, or FCC certification, is a formal process through which a device is certified by the FCC as following their standards for electromagnetic compatibility.
Electromagnetic compatibility refers to a device’s ability to operate in an environment that has other electronic devices. A device with a high degree of electromagnetic compatibility doesn’t cause electromagnetic interference.
Electromagnetic interference is a type of disruption to other electronic devices that’s caused by radio frequency (RF) energy. Many devices, particularly those that use RF for communications, can release radiated emissions and conducted emissions that may affect other devices.
These emissions can, in some cases, cause other electronic devices to lose their signal, stop working, or provide inaccurate information.
You’ve likely experienced the effects of electromagnetic interference if you’ve temporarily lost the signal on your TV while using a mobile device nearby, or if you’ve noticed changes in the signal of a Bluetooth device in an environment with lots of other electronic devices.
The FCC certification process involves testing your device to ensure that its electromagnetic emissions are within the limits set by the FCC.
It also involves testing your device’s immunity, meaning its ability to function normally when it operates in a shared electromagnetic environment and is exposed to interference from other devices.
What Devices Need to be FCC Certified?
All electronic devices marketed in the United States need to receive equipment authorization from the FCC. However, not all devices need to complete the FCC certification process.
The FCC provides two pathways for electronic devices to receive authorization. The first, the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process, involves the electronic device developer testing their device using an accredited lab partner and self-declaring that the device is compliant.
This process is generally used for unintentional radiators — devices that emit radio frequency energy as a byproduct of their operations, but aren’t designed to intentionally emit RF energy, such as for communications or normal operations.
Examples of unintentional radiators include computers, printers, televisions, electrical musical instruments, as well as most household appliances.
These devices do not need to use radio frequency energy for communications, but can emit a small amount of RF energy as a byproduct of internal components.
If your device is an unintentional radiator, or if it uses a pre-certified module, it may not need to complete the FCC certification process. Instead, a type of this device can likely get equipment authorization and earn an FCC mark via the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity process.
The FCC electrical certification process is typically used for intentional radiators — devices that, by design, need to use the radio frequency spectrum for communication purposes.
Because these devices emit radio frequency energy in order to operate normally, they’re held to strict standards and need to complete thorough testing before applying for certification from the FCC via a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB).
Examples of intentional radiators include cell phones and other cellular devices, cordless home phones, remote control devices, Wi-Fi equipment, Bluetooth devices, and wireless security and alarm systems.
Not sure if your device needs FCC certification or a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity? Call us at 866-540-5287 or contact us online and our engineers can explain the correct testing and equipment authorization process for your device.
FCC Certification vs. Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)
Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity Process
- Pre-compliance. This involves an initial review of your device’s design and components to identify potential RF emissions. It’s a preliminary, optional step that can help you, as a manufacturer, understand if your product will successfully pass formal lab testing.
- FCC lab testing. All devices undergo testing in an accredited lab to measure their radio frequency emissions and immunity. Testing focuses on ensuring your device’s emissions are within the accepted range and that it does not cause harmful interference.
- Preparing documentation. As a manufacturer, you need to compile a comprehensive package of documentation, including your device’s lab testing results, a description of your device and technical specifications to support its Declaration of Conformity.
- Declaration of Conformity. After completing testing and preparing documentation for your device, you’ll self-declare that your device conforms to FCC standards. Following the SDoC process, you will need to keep this declaration and documentation on file.
FCC Electrical Certification Process
- Pre-compliance. Similar to the SDoC process, this step involves evaluating the design and components of your device for compliance with FCC standards. This step is critical for identifying potential issues that may lead to non-compliance.
- FCC lab testing. Intentional radiators are required to complete lab testing to show they comply with FCC regulations. This testing focuses on ensuring the device’s use of radio frequency energy does not exceed limitations or cause harmful interference.
- Preparing documentation. This includes detailed reports of your device’s test results, specifications of the device, user manuals, and other relevant documents that show it’s compliant with FCC Part 15 or FCC Part 18 standards.
- Apply for FCC certification. Following testing and document preparation, you’ll apply for certification through a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB). This application is a formal request for the FCC to review your device and grant an FCC ID.
Following certification, you can add the FCC mark and your FCC ID to your device. Our guide to the FCC’s labeling requirements discusses the requirements for demonstrating that your device is compliant upon entering the market.
Talk to Our Team About FCC Certification for Your Device
If you’re developing or importing an electronic device for use in the United States, ensuring it’s compliant with FCC Part 15 is a critical step towards legally bringing it onto the market.
As an ANSI-accredited electronics testing lab, we’ve helped hundreds of manufacturers carry out FCC testing and receive FCC authorization, including FCC certification, for their electronic devices.
Our team can assist you with the entire testing and compliance process, from pre-compliance and component recommendations to lab testing, documentation preparation, and helping you achieve authorization via a Declaration of Conformity or FCC certification.
To talk to our engineers and compliance specialists, or to request a free quote for testing and achieving FCC authorization for your device, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.
