ISED Canada extends frequencies for use by LE-LAN

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada, RSS-247 Issue 3 introduces requirements for devices operating from 5850 to 5895 MHz (U-NII-4) and channels that span across 5850MHz, also specifying power limits and unwanted emission limits associated with license-exempt local area network (LE-LAN) devices within that band.

RE:

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/spectrum-management-telecommunications/en/learn-more/key-documents/published-documents

 

Electronic Device Retailers FCC Issues Warning

February 15, 2019, the Federal Communication Commission issued an enforcement advisory warning electronic device retailers, yes, those selling devices not just making them, of potential fines if devices are in violation of the applicable FCC authorization requirements. Fines could total more than $150,000 per violation.

This is of significant importance as many retailers and distributors assume that the device manufacturer shoulders the burden for regulatory compliance, and accepts that if a product manufacturer claims compliance then that is all that is required, often retailers and distributors are unaware of the authorization requirements but this advisory opens the door for retailers and distributors to face penalties if the products are not in compliance with the required FCC authorization methods found under part 15 of Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations.

Specifically, this advisory is addressing those products that fall under the "Suppliers Declaration of Conformity" or SDoC authorization rules. A non-exhaustive list of examples of the types of products covered can be found in C.F.R. 47 §15.101(a) and §18.203.

For a basic guide and to understand what the SDoC authorization encompasses, please visit https://celectronics.com/training/learning/authorization/FCC-SDoC-Guide.html

REF:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-91A1.pdf

RF Module Approval Guide - draft

A new draft FCC KDB publication was issued on Sept. 28, 2018. Publication 996369, which answers the “Question: What is the FCC guidance for equipment authorization of transmitter module devices, and equipment that incorporates transmitter modules?”

Publication link: FCC Draft KDB for Modular Approval

Ref:
FCC Draft Publications

5 Questions on the new Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED)

Coming into force on June 13, 2016, and half way through the transition period, the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU replaces the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTED)  1995/5/EC and over the past few months I've received numerous questions regarding the transition to the new directive. This isn't an all inclusive list or a full transition guide, far from it, I recommend that you consult a RED Notified Body with your specific needs for that. 

Here are the 5 most common questions I receive.

"Do I need to apply the new directive immediately?"

No, the RED came into force on June 13th 2016, however, article 48 gives a transitional provision accepting the old directive for radio equipment covered by the RED until June 12, 2017. That is to say you must apply the RED to covered radio equipment on or after June 13th 2017.

"Should I start testing to the new directive now?"

I get this a lot, and it's a very common misconception. One does not simply "test" to a Directive, you declare compliance to the Directive. 

The directive contains the essential requirements of compliance, among other laws, governing the "making available on the market" of Radio Equipment. Testing is one method for demonstrating compliance with the essential requirements, but the actual test methods are found outside the directive, referred to as "Harmonised Standards" under the directive. 

While in order to use a "Harmonised Standard" for presumption of conformity, it must be published with reference to the RED in the Official Journal, the new directive doesn't change harmonized standards, but it may impose new "essential" requirements that could impact your testing.

"Can I start "declaring" compliance to the new directive?"

Probably not. Article 17 of the RED describes the conformity assessment procedures. There are three annexes describing the available methods. (Annex II Internal Product Control) (Annex III EU-type examination) and (Annex IV Full Quality Assurance).

By far Internal Production Control is the most commonly used conformity assessment method and it's the only method that does not require 3rd party involvement of a Notified Body, but in order to apply Annex II, you must test in full to published harmonized standards. The problem is that the list of harmonized standards published under the new RED is small compared to the R&TTE. Chances are at the moment the particular harmonized standard previously applied has not been adapted and referenced to the RED, but the list is growing. See https://celectronics.com/certification/europe/ for links to the published harmonized standards.

Another issue here is that there is a change, however so slightly, in the requirements from the R&TTE article 3.2. This small change adds a new requirement to be assessed, and that is that the Radio Equipment "supports the efficient use of radio spectrum". New technical standards will need to incorporate this requirement.

"If I can't test in full to published harmonized standards, is there a method to comply with the RED now?"

Yes, there are a couple as mentioned above, Annex III EU-Type examination and Annex IV Full Quality Assurance. Of the two, EU type examination would generally be the most practical for most organisations that don't have the ability or wish to submit to a full quality assurance assessment or the continued surveillance required of that system.

EU-Type examination is a method by which the manufacturer submits an application to a "single" Notified Body of their choice. The Notified Body will review the technical design and verify the equipment complies with the essential requirements of the RED and if so issue an EU-Type examination certificate. This would be combined with the manufacturer's own assessment and the Declaration of Conformity (which will include the Notified Body number). The manufacturer would then affix the CE mark to the equipment (without including the Notified Body number)

 “If I test to the current harmonized standards for the R&TTE and write my declaration to the R&TTE now, what do I need to do June 13th, 2017?”

On or after June 13th 2017, all equipment that falls within the scope of the RED must be assessed to be in compliance with the RED prior to placing on the market in the European Union. This does not apply to equipment already on the market (sold or in the EU), only new shipments being placed on the market. The declaration of conformity must follow the new Model Structure and the manufacturer shall also establish the required technical documentation described in Article 21 of the RED. Also note that in addition to the technical test report the manufacturer is required to provide a risk assessment within their technical documentation.

European CE marking

EU has published the updated 'Blue Guide' on the implementation of EU product rules 2016. This is in advance of the coming into force of updated directives.

Directive Transition dates;

• EMC Directive 2014/30/EU – April 20, 2016
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU – April 20, 2016
• Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU – June 12, 2016

You can find links to these directives and additional information on CE marking at http://celectronics.com/certification/europe/

New U-NII requirements postponed

The FCC has waived, until December 2, 2015, the implementation of the new U-NII requirements, Specifically 15.37(h).

This allows 5.8 GHz deices to continue using the DTS rules in 15.247 for approval and certification.

(h) Effective June 2, 2015* devices using digital modulation techniques in the 5725-5850 MHz bands will no longer be certified under the provisions of §15.247. The technical requirements for obtaining certification after this date for digitally modulated devices and the digitally modulated portion of hybrid devices are found in subpart E of this part. The provisions for the frequency hopping spread spectrum portion of hybrid devices will remain in §15.247. Effective June 2, 2016 systems using digital modulation techniques in the 5725-5850 MHz band certified under the provisions of §15.247 may no longer be imported or marketed within the United States.

By this order *June 2, 2015 in the above rule part is in essence replaced with December 2, 2015

REF:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/u-nii-devices-extension-order

Title 47, Part 15.37

FCC to be "off-line" early September through Labor Day

The FCC has scheduled an IT infrastructure upgrade starting 6 pm EDT September 2nd, 2015 and running through 8 AM EDT September 8th, 2015.

The result of this upgrade will take most of the Commission's resources off-line. Among the resources that will be unavailable are all electronic filing systems; including the Certification Body (TCB) site used for issuing grants and the Knowledge Database (KDB) system used to provide testing and certification guidance to labs and TCBs.

The FCC web site will be available but with limited content and search capabilities. FCC telephones will work but voicemail systems will not, and most FCC staff will not have access to email.

Ref:
Public Notice DA 15-940

FCC Proposing significant changes

The Federal Communications Commission has release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes several broad changes to the Commission’s rules governing the authorization of radiofrequency equipment.

The common theme throughout the recent proposed changes is an effort to update the current rules in light of the state-of-the art surrounding current trends in the development and use of radiofrequency equipment today, and, going forward into the future.

The 89 page proposal outlines several changes as follows;

•  Combine two separate product approval programs – Declaration of Conformity and verification into one product self-approval program
• Codify and clarify the provisions for certification of modular transmitters – including those in products used for our licensed radio services – and for radios where the RF parameters are controlled by software;
• Clarify responsibilities for compliance when a final product may be comprised of one or more certified modular transmitters;
• Codify existing practices that protect the confidentiality of market-sensitive information;
•  Codify and expand existing guidance for electronic labeling;
•  Eliminate unnecessary or duplicative rules and consolidate rules from various specific rule parts into the equipment authorization rules in Part 2; and
• Discontinue the requirement that importers file FCC Form 740 with Customs and Border Protection for RF devices that are imported into the United States.

As of this posting date the proposal is open to comment. For more information or to submit your comments, visit http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60001094487

Ref:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/equipment-authorization-e-labeling