Not a lot of consumers are aware that when buying electronic or electrical products, that it needs to be Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certified. With the FCC certificate or ID, this means that the product has already been tested to be compliant with the FCC standards. And when it is compliant, then it is approved for distribution.

This means that most electronic devices that can omit more than 9kHz of radiofrequency energy should be FCC certified. Even though this will not give consumers a 100% guarantee that it is safe and durable, but it ensures that the products will not interfere with other products. The FCC certificate also guarantees that it will not cause any harm to the public.

FCC Authorization - How Does it Work?

Manufacturers and companies who are selling electrical and electronic equipment in the United States and other countries must make sure that their product will not hurt the public nor cause disruptions with other products. The FCC is the one who is in charge of enforcing the rules. They have a set of requirements that manufacturers must comply with for their products to be FCC-certified.

FCC Options For Authorization

Companies and manufacturers have three options for FCC authorization. This includes Verification, Declaration of Conformity, and Certification. For products that need to be FCC certified, then check out the three options below:
  • Verification. This is the FCC authorization that is most recommended for digital devices that are included in Part 15, like the television receiver. These are the devices that do not have a radio or have already been preapproved. A third-party manufacturer or laboratory is the one that will measure the amount of radiofrequency energy that the device emits. There is no more need for FCC clearance once the product is approved.
  • Declaration of Conformity. This authorization is suggested for Part 18 devices, like the personal computer. Certified laboratories will confirm your device or equipment’s radiofrequency energy emission. For Part 18 products, it should have the FCC logo.
  • Certification. This is by far the most demanding authorization from the FCC. Certification is most applicable to equipment that may cause interference with other devices, emergency information, or signals. FCC TCB is the one that provides the certifications. These products must have an FCC ID on the label for them to be deemed compliant with the standards.
Once your product is ready to be manufactured and be introduced to the public, you will then have to process for the FCC authorization procedure to start. Using their set of standards, FCC will check your device and make sure that it does not interfere with other electronic and electrical devices. It should transmit the correct radio frequency band and comply with other standards of telecommunications.

The Telecommunication Bodies (TCB) certifies the products for the US market. The approval that they provide is considered permanent. This means that the authorization does not expire. As long as the product has never been altered, then there’s no need for the company to process a re-certification.