To ensure that new electronic products don’t interfere with a market’s existing devices, EMC compliance testing has become a requirement for many countries. Both the amount of emissions produced and the amount a device can withstand are tested during EMC approval, though not all markets require both.

At Compliance Testing, we monitor every major market’s EMC and EMI requirements in order to maintain the integrity and accuracy of our tests. If you’re looking to turn a product idea into a reality, you should know if it will need EMC testing prior to being distributed within your target market. Here are the most common items that require EMC certification to be legally sold.

Medical and Health Technologies

EMC testing is vital for the medical field as there are multiple electronic devices of various sizes and strengths all operating in close proximity. Manufacturing medical devices is a balancing act of reducing emissions while still maintaining proper functionality and power. In the United States, the FDA regulates medical devices and requires EMC testing for emissions. For the EU market, both emissions and immunity must be tested during EMC certification.

Military, Defense and Aerospace Devices

Electronic devices used by the military or other government defense organizations fall under specific standards set forth by the MIL-STD-461. With some of the strictest requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, the MIL-STD-461 covers all electronic and communication devices being designed for military use. Meeting these requirements typically means that your product will also pass FCC testing for private aerospace devices as well as consumer electronics.

Consumer Goods and Appliances

Often found in changing environments, consumer electronic devices tend to offer high immunity even if the target market doesn’t require it. This is done to ensure that the end consumer experiences little to no interruption in operation regardless of where they are using the product. The most common products that fall under this category include:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops
• High-intensity lights
• LED displays
• Kitchen appliances
• AC adapters
• Electric motors

Due to the sheer size of the consumer market for electronic devices, there are always new products finding their way onto shelves and into the hands of customers. EMC testing is put in place to give each company peace of mind that another product won’t cause issues with their own once launched.

How EMC Testing Verifies Emissions and Immunity

The exact tests used during an EMC routine will differ based on the industry, market and manufacturing details of the product. EMC testing simulates different electromagnetic environments via equipment such as power amplifiers and surge generators.

Specific phenomena that can be simulated include:

• Changing magnetic fields
• Power interruptions
• Electrostatic discharge
• Electromagnetic energy spikes associated with lightning strikes
• Conducted and radiated emissions comparisons

Is your company preparing to launch a new electronic device? Whether this is your first product launch or you’ve introduced a new lineup, Compliance Testing has the experience and accreditation needed to help bring your product to the market. Let our team take the stress out of EMC compliance by reaching out today.