USA Updates the FCC Approval Procedure for Radio Devices

Any equipment that contains an RF device must be authorized in accordance with the appropriate procedures specified in the FCC rules. 

Before November 2018, a product could be authorized using the following procedures:

1.Verification;

2. Declaration of Conformity;

3.Certification;

After November 2018, the only available options are:

1.Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC);

2.Certification;

The procedure depends on the type of equipment. In some cases, a device could have different functions and, as a result, would need more than one type of approval procedure.

One of the main differences is that the SDoC procedure requires that the applicant tests the equipment. However, the accredited laboratory is not necessary to be an FCC-recognized one.

On the contrary, the Certification procedure implies that equipment is being tested by an FCC-recognized accredited testing laboratory.

The applicant can choose the certification procedure instead of the SDoC procedure.

Thus, for radio frequency devices that were subject to authorization either verification or Declaration of Conformity procedures could be chosen up to November 2, 2018.

After November 3, 2018, it is necessary to use Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity instead of verification or Declaration of Conformity procedures.