8 Significant FCC certification changes with dates you need to know

Mark your calendar, starting July 13th this year a number of changes are taking effect with respect to the FCC certification and approvals process for intentional and unintentional radiators. Below is a quick synopsis of the major changes along with the specified transition dates.

These changes will have a major impact on your certification planning going forward. If you have questions or need assistance with your wireless device certifications don't hesitate to contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.

1. Rules discontinuing FCC acceptance of certification applications (all certification via TCB)
2. Codified pre-grant approval procedure that TCBs will follow
3. Additional clarification on TCB’s post-market surveillance responsibilities
4. Specified steps to address TCB performance deficiencies
5. Rules referencing TCB accreditation updated to newest versions.
6. Require accreditation of all laboratories that test equipment for certification as well as DoC
7. Rules referencing measurement standards updated to newest versions.
8. OET gains greater flexibility and authority to address “minor technical issues” and ability to change approved standards to newer versions under § 0.241 Authority delegated. 

Transition Dates:

July 13th, 2015

• FCC will no longer accept applications for equipment certification (Done through TCB)
• FCC Will no longer accept applications for § 2.948 test site listings

Sept 15, 2015

• A TCB shall be accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, guide 65 is deprecated. Accrediting bodies shall meet requirements of ISO/IEC 17011

July 13th, 2016

• All § 2.948 listings remaining valid will expire. Labs may still submit test reports up to Oct. 13, 2016
• Intentional radiator measurements subject to part 15 shall be made using ANSI 63.10-2013

October 13th, 2016 (the big one to remember!)

• All Laboratories submitting test data for support of a certification application must be accredited. 

July 13th, 2018

• Radiated measurement labs for 1 – 40 GHz shall comply with C63.4-2014 (CISPR 16-1-4:2010-04) site validation in accordance with clause 5.5.1a)1)

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For questions, testing or certification needs under the new rules, please contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.


Ref;
CFR Title 47 § 2.950 Transition periods
Federal Register Vol. 80 No. 113 June 12, 2015