USAFCC Certification Overview

FCC stands for the United States Federal Communications Commission.Federal Communications Commission. Directly responsible to Congress, it coordinates domestic and international communications by regulating radio broadcasting, television, telecommunications, satellites, and cables, and is responsible for authorizing and managing radio frequency transmission devices and equipment outside of federal use.

In accordance with the relevant provisions of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations (CFR Part 47), all electronic products entering the U.S. must undergo electromagnetic compatibility certification (FCC certification). Currently, the trade volume between China and the U.S. is on an upward trend year by year, so exporting to the U.S. should not be overlooked. The U.S. has stringent product technical standards and import regulations, and understanding the U.S. market entry rules will help further open up the U.S. market for our products.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission) -- Governs the import and use of radio frequency devices, including computers, fax machines, electronic devices, radio receiving and transmitting equipment, radio-controlled toys, telephones, personal computers, and other products that may pose safety risks to individuals. To export these products to the United States, they must undergo testing and approval by authorized laboratories according to FCC technical standards. Importers and customs brokers must declare that each radio frequency device complies with FCC standards, i.e., has an FCC license.

FCC Certification Method

The FCC previously employed different certification methods for electronic products based on the type of product, with three methods in total: Verification, DoC (Declaration of Conformity), and Certification. However, as of November 2, 2017, the FCC has merged DoC and Verification into SDoC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) and revised the relevant FCC regulations, with a transition period of one year.

The SDoC certification program requires a test report. To enhance the authority of the report, it is recommended to choose testing at an FCC Recognized Accredited Laboratory. Operate strictly in accordance with the ISO 17025 system requirements, with the laboratory recognized by the U.S. A2LA and also listed as an FCC Recognized Accredited Laboratory on the FCC website. The SDoC testing continues to use the previous test standards, with the main modifications as follows:
·Part 15: Unintentional Radiated Products
1. For FCC Part 15 products, if it is a stand-alone cable input selector switch, the following text must be clearly displayed on the product:
“This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules for use with cable television service。”
2. For products that comply with FCC Part 15, if the product is too small to include the FCC 15.19 Statement and there is no built-in screen to display the FCC 15.19 Statement, the required content of the FCC 15.19 Statement must be included in the user manual. Additionally, it must be placed on the product packaging or affixed to the product using removable labels.
3. Certification methods for unintentional radiators applicable to FCC Part 15 have been modified as shown in the table below:

Part 18: Scope of Product Intention
1. For products compliant with FCC Part 18, commercial industrial and scientific products must be certified via SDoC or Citation methods. Commercial ultrasonic products (less than 500 watts and operating frequency less than 90 kHz) and non-commercial industrial and scientific products must be certified via the SDoC method.
2. For products subject to the intent of FCC Part 18, the use of electronic screens to display the compliant Statement is permitted.
3. For the Safety Data Sheet (SDoC) of the product, a responsible entity based in the U.S. must ensure compliance with relevant regulations; this can be the manufacturer or the importer.

·Certification:
1. For products requiring Certification, the presentation of the FCC ID via an electronic screen is permitted. If the product is too small to display the FCC ID on the product itself and there is no electronic screen available to show the FCC ID, the FCC ID must be included in the user manual. Additionally, it should be placed on the product's packaging or affixed with a removable sticker to the product.
2. Certification testing and certification must be conducted in an FCC Accredited laboratory.

·For SDoC products, customers may voluntarily place the FCC Logo in a prominent location on the product's appearance.

·If the product requires testing and certification through the SDoC method, the following information must be provided at the time of product launch or import. This information can be included in the user manual or presented in a separate document:
1. Product Name and Model
2. Statement of Compliance with FCC Regulations
3. Information for the local responsible entity in the U.S., including name, address, phone number, or internet contact information.

·If the user manual is not provided in paper form, but may be on a hard drive or via the Internet, the above information must be included in the manual for the user's reference. Additionally, the information can also be presented through an electronic screen.

· During the transitional period:
1. Products that have passed the FCC SDoC certification program may choose to label or not label with the FCC Logo at their own discretion.
2. The SDoC requires the addition of a Compliance Declaration to the Equipment Accompanying Document, which should include necessary information such as the name, address, or contact website of a local U.S. supplier.
3. During the transition period, you may opt to continue using the FCC VOC and DoC certification procedures.
4. FCC VOC and DoC certification procedures completed prior to the transition period remain valid indefinitely. A new certification is required if any product modifications are made.

FCC ID Certification

1. Description

FCC-ID is a mandatory FCC certificationOne type of certification model is suitable for wireless products with high technical difficulty. Products with wireless transmission frequencies, such as Bluetooth devices, WiFi equipment, wireless alarm systems, radio receiving and transmitting devices, telephones, computers, and more, require FCC-ID certification. The certification of wireless products is directly approved by the FCC TCB organization, and can be verified on the official FCC website.

2. Process

First-time applicants for the FCC-ID number certification must register with the FCC to establish a company profile using a FCC-FRN before proceeding with the FCC-ID application. All reports are reviewed by an FCC-TCB agency, submitted to the FCC Management Center for publication on the website, and then product information can be found on the U.S. FCC website via the ID number.

FCC Certified Product Types

1. Power FCC Certification: Communication power supplies, switching power supplies, chargers, display power supplies, LED power supplies, LCD power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), etc.

2. Lighting FCC Certification: Chandeliers, Track Lights, Garden Lights, Handheld Lamps, Tube Lights, LED Street Lights, String Lights, Desk Lamps, LED Spotlights, LED Bulbs, Grille Lights, Aquarium Lights, Street Lights, LED Tubes, LED Fixtures, Energy-Saving Lights, T8 Tubes, etc.

3. FCC Certification for Home Appliances: Fans, electric kettles, audio equipment, televisions, mice, vacuum cleaners, etc.

4. Electronic FCC Certification: Earplugs, routers, mobile phone batteries, laser pointers, vibrators, etc.

5. FCC Certification for Communication Products: Telephones, corded and cordless telephones, answering machines, fax machines, data terminals, data interface cards, and other communication products.

6. FCC Certification for Wireless Products: Bluetooth BT Products, Tablets, Wireless Keyboards, Wireless Mice, Wireless Readers, Wireless Transceivers, Wireless Walkie-Talkies, Wireless Microphones, Remote Controls, Wireless Networking Devices, Wireless Image Transmission Systems, and other low-power wireless products.

7. FCC Certification for Wireless Communication Products: 2G, 3G, 3.5G mobile phones, DECT phones (1.8G, 1.9G bands), walkie-talkies, etc.

8. Mechanical FCC Certification: Gasoline engines, welders, CNC drilling machines, tool grinders, lawnmowers, laundry equipment, bulldozers, elevators, drill machines, dishwashers, water treatment equipment, gas welding machines, printing machinery, woodworking machinery, rotary drilling machines, grass cutting machines, snow blowers, excavators, printing presses, printers, cutting machines, rollers, smoothing machines, spraying machines, straighteners, food machinery, lawn mowers, etc.