If you plan to sell or manufacture an electronic device in the US, it’s important to secure official approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has a specific set of guidelines regarding electronic goods sold or produced in the United States. These guidelines minimize the radio frequency interference between electronic goods and help to ensure that approved products are safe for consumers to use.
Before you submit your own product for approval, it’s important to understand which types of goods require the official seal of FCC certification. Here are some of the main points to keep in mind when considering whether your electronic devices need to be approved.
How Does FCC Approval Work?
The goal of FCC certification is to confirm that a product’s radio frequency emissions do not exceed the limits imposed by the FCC. These limits are based on the type of radio frequency that a product emits. Once the type of radio frequency is identified, the Federal Communications Commission begins testing the electronic device to ensure that it’s in line with FCC standards.
Any type of electronic device that is manufactured, sold or distributed in the US requires approval from the FCC. To receive this coveted seal of approval, your product must pass FCC testing and stay within the radio frequency limits imposed by the Federal Communications Commission.
What Products Require FCC Certification?
There is a wide range of electronic goods that must be approved by the FCC before being sold or distributed. These products are generally divided into two categories: intentional radiators of radio frequency energy and unintentional radiators of radio frequency energy. The first category includes products that must emit radio waves in order to function, while the second category includes items that may emit radio waves by accident while being used.
Below is a list of electronic equipment that generally needs FCC certification:
- Electronic products
- Power adapters
- Bluetooth devices
- Electromagnetic compatibility products
- Remote control transmitters
- IT equipment
- Wireless local area networking equipment
- Radio and telecommunications terminal equipment
- Land mobile radio transmitters
- Garage doors/garage door openers
What Does the Approval Process Entail?
Before submitting your product for approval, you first need to ensure that its radio frequency emissions don’t surpass FCC limits. Next, you’ll want to run pre-compliance tests to confirm that your electronic equipment is in line with the FCC’s expectations. This will also help you avoid any unexpected complications later on.
The next step is to obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN). You’ll need to supply your contact information and business address to register with the FCC. Once you’re registered, you can contact a testing facility to begin the external testing process. After the testing process is complete, the FCC will review the test results and formally approve the product. You will then receive a Grant of Equipment Authorization (GEA), which grants your product legal permission to be sold and marketed throughout the United States.
Find the Support You Need During the FCC Approval Process
Navigating the FCC approval process can be stressful and time-consuming. However, you don’t need to go through the process alone. At Compliance Testing, we know all the ins and outs of FCC certification and use top-notch testing equipment to help you get your products approved. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
