Understanding specific FCC standards, tests, and product scope is foundational for compliant design. This guide provides a clear, systematic technical overview as of 2025.
FCC requirements are tiered based on "wireless functionality" and "interference risk."
Path selection is mandatory. Misclassifying a wireless device as SDoC carries severe compliance risks.
II. In-Depth Look at Core FCC Test Items
Tests depend on the certification type (ID or SDoC).
1.EMC Testing (Mandatory for all)
-Conducted Emissions: Interference fed back into the power line.
-Radiated Emissions: Interference radiated into space (a common failure point).
-Others: May include harmonics, flicker.
2.RF Performance Testing (FCC ID only)
Core validation for wireless functions.
-Output Power, Frequency Range & Tolerance, Occupied Bandwidth, Spurious Emissions.
-Special Protocols: e.g., Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) requires Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) testing.
3.Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Evaluation
Required for portable wireless devices used ≤20cm from the body (e.g., laptops, tablets). Since March 31, 2025, stricter rules (KDB447498D01V07) with ~30% higher measurement precision are mandatory.
4.Cybersecurity Testing
For advanced devices (e.g., with 5G), enhanced requirements like TLS 1.3 support apply.
III. Critical 2025 Regulation Reminders
Beyond technical specs, two non-technical rules are game-changers:
1.Laboratory Trustworthiness Review (Most Critical): Effective Sept 8, 2025. Labs affiliated with "covered entities" cannot be used. Confirm your lab's status before starting.
2.Modular Approval (Cost-Saver): If a computer uses a pre-certified FCC ID wireless module under specific conditions, the final product may be exempt from full RF retesting, simplifying the process.
IV. Product List Requiring FCC Certification：
-Computing Devices: PCs, servers, workstations.
-Peripherals: Monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, scanners.
-Networking: Routers, switches, NICs, modems.
-Power Supplies: PC PSUs, adapters, UPS.
-Multimedia: Speakers, capture cards, webcams.
-Other computer-interfaced electronics.
Note: An FCC grant has no fixed expiry but is valid only if the product design and rules remain unchanged. Any change affecting emissions requires re-evaluation. Technical files must be kept for 10 years post-production. Contact BLUEASIA: +86 13534225140.
