United States · Global Market Access
Entering the US Market: FCC Authorisation
Authorization for devices emitting radio frequency; TCB is mandatory for intentional radiators.
- Market
- United States
- Site
- North America
- Mark
- FCC
01What is it?
The FCC is responsible for authorising devices that radiate radio frequency in the United States. There are two routes: a supplier declaration (SDoC) for unintentional radiators and, for intentional radiators, certification through an accredited TCB together with an FCC ID.
02Why Does This Scheme Exist?
In the United States, the regulation of radio and electronic products arises not from product safety but from SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT. The radio frequency spectrum is a public and limited resource; the communications authority's competence rests on regulating the sharing of that resource. The requirements therefore ask not whether the product harms the user but whether it disturbs other people's communications.
The arrangement divides products into two basic categories and the burden of evidence varies accordingly. Devices that intentionally RADIATE radio frequency (radio transmitters) are subject to a stricter route: for these, a certification process carried out by a recognised body is required. For unintentional radiators (products carrying digital circuitry but not transmitting), the supplier's own declaration of conformity route is open.
The distinguishing aspect of the certification route is that the decision is given not by the authority but by AUTHORISED PRIVATE BODIES. These bodies examine the application and grant approval; testing is carried out in laboratories recognised by the authority. The laboratory may be outside the country, but it must appear on the recognised list.
Every approved product is given a permanent identifier and that identifier must be visible on the product. Part of the identifier is allocated to the applicant; this permanently shows in whose name the product was approved and is commercially decisive.
The use of modules is specifically governed in this arrangement: an approved radio module can, under certain conditions, be used in a finished product without requiring new approval, but the conditions (antenna, mounting, enclosure, co-located transmitters) are strict and departing from them gives rise to a new assessment for the finished product.
03Whose Obligation?
The obligation lies with the party marketing the product. Manufacturers outside the United States must appoint a responsible party established in the US (a US Agent for Service of Process) and register it with the FCC.
04Required Documents
- Device description, block diagram and circuit diagram
- Frequency, power, modulation and antenna details
- A test report to the FCC rules
- RF exposure assessment (SAR or MPE)
- User manual and label sample
- The US responsible party registration
05Process
- 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
- 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
- 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
- 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
- 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
- 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
- 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
- 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.
06Points to Watch
- For intentional radiators, certification through a TCB and an FCC ID are mandatory
- Consumer products must meet the Class B limits
- The FCC ID of an approved module is conditional: the integration instructions and antenna requirements must be followed
- RED tests carried out for CE cannot be used directly for the FCC
07Neighbouring Schemes and the Difference
- 01Certification and supplier declarationIntentional radiators go through the certification route; for unintentional radiators a supplier declaration is sufficient. Which category the product falls in is established at the outset, because the route changes entirely.
- 02Communications requirements and product safetyThis arrangement does not address the product's electrical safety; safety is established separately through recognised testing laboratory listing. The two involve a different authority and different evidence.
- 03Module approval and the finished productUsing an approved module is a conditional convenience; when the antenna, enclosure or the arrangement of co-located transmitters changes, a new assessment is required for the finished product.
- 04US and EU radio requirementsFrequency allocations and limit values differ; a radio approval obtained in one market is not valid in the other and the tests are partly repeated.
08Scheme Detail
This page describes entry into the United States market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.
Radyo/EMC (FCC) Belgelendirmesi10Frequently Asked Questions
This section's content is being prepared. The roadmap specific to your product and target market at the quote stage in writing.
The certification timeline varies with the product, the required test workload, sample shipping time and the authority's workload; for this reason, no duration in days or weeks is given on these pages. The main factors determining the timeline are: whether testing must be performed in the target country, whether a factory audit is required, the time to appoint a local representative, and the current maturity of the technical file. A realistic timeline for your product is provided in writing at the quote stage.
Market access regimes change frequently: scope lists are updated, transition periods are extended, new requirements are added. These pages describe the structure of the regime and who bears the obligation; the applicable scope and dates for your product are confirmed from the current legislative text at the quote stage.
United States · FCC roadmap for
Tell us about your product; we'll share the required steps, documents and timeline in writing.