Understanding the changes in US FCC ID certification regulations for 2025 is very important, especially regarding the security review of laboratory qualifications and updates to technical standards for specific devices. Below, I will outline these core changes, certification basics, process adjustments, and provide coping suggestions.
The changes in FCC certification rules in 2025 are mainly reflected in stricter restrictions on laboratory qualifications and updates to technical standards for specific devices.
| New Regulation Dimension | Core Content & Impact |
| Laboratory Security New Rules (Most Important) | • Core Objective: Prevent entities controlled by specific foreign governments or threat actors from participating in US communication equipment certification. • Prohibited Entities: Entities including those on the "Covered List" (e.g., Huawei, ZTE affiliates), the US Department of Commerce "Entity List," etc., as well as entities controlled (directly or indirectly owning ≥10% shares) by foreign adversary nations (e.g., China, Russia) governments or entities, are prohibited from acting as FCC-accepted test laboratories, TCBs, or accreditation bodies. • Ownership Reporting: Requires disclosure of ownership information for holdings ≥5%. • Effective Date: This final rule became effective on September 8, 2025. |
| Human Exposure Safety (SAR) | • Starting March 31, 2025, the FCC mandates the use of the KDB 447498 D01 V07 new rule. • SAR test accuracy requirements have increased by 30% for wearable devices, mobile phones, and other wireless products used close to the body. |
| Very Low Power (VLP) Devices | • On May 12, 2025, the FCC issued new guidelines, expanding the operating bands for VLP devices (e.g., phones/tablets/routers supporting VLP) from parts of the 6GHz band to the entire 6GHz band (U-NII-5, U-NII-6, U-NII-7, U-NII-8). |
| Wi-Fi 6E Devices | • Wi-Fi 6E devices (using the 6GHz band) need to meet the newly added spectrum mask requirements in FCC Part 15E and support Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS). |
FCC ID Certification Basics and Process Adjustments:
In addition to the new regulations above, there are some adjustments to certification basics and processes you need to understand.
Certification Basis and Mode Selection: FCC certification is a mandatory market access system implemented by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) based on the Communications Act. It is mainly divided into two modes:
·FCC SDoC: Applicable to devices without wireless functions, such as lamps, small household appliances, etc., requiring only EMC testing.
·FCC ID: Applicable to devices with wireless functions, such as Bluetooth earphones, Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, etc., requiring EMC, Radio Frequency (RF) performance, and SAR assessment tests.
·Certification Process Reference and Timeline: The complete FCC ID certification process mainly includes key steps such as FRN registration, determining test standards, laboratory testing, submitting to TCB for review, and obtaining the certificate. Under smooth circumstances, the conventional certification process typically takes 4-8 weeks. However, information suggests that since 2025, due to the启用 AI-assisted review system, the TCB review period might be shortened to 3-5 weeks.
Strategies and Suggestions under the New FCC ID Certification Regulations:
Facing these new regulations, adopting the correct strategies can effectively avoid risks and ensure smooth certification.
Choose Laboratories Cautiously:
This is the core of responding to the 2025 new rules. When selecting a test laboratory, you must verify that it is not on the FCC's prohibition list. You can request the laboratory to provide a relevant declaration to ensure its qualifications meet the new rule requirements, lest the test report be invalid, wasting time and money.
Pay Attention to Technical Standard Updates:
For 5G devices, pay attention to the FCC Part 30 cybersecurity protocol review requirements (e.g., TLS 1.3 encryption).
Consider the latest specifications and standards during the design phase, such as the improved SAR test accuracy and the expanded bands for VLP devices.
Optimize Certification Strategy:
·Conduct Pre-testing in Advance: About 80% of products require design modifications during formal testing. It is recommended to conduct pre-testing or GAP analysis in advance to identify and resolve potential RF non-compliance, EMC failure, and other issues, effectively avoiding timeline extensions and additional costs due to formal test failures.
·Ensure Documents are Accurate and Complete: The completeness and accuracy of technical documents are key to smooth TCB review. The first application requires registering an FRN (fee approx. $70) and must appoint a US Agent responsible for communication with the FCC.
We hope this overview of the new FCC ID regulations helps you better plan and execute certification matters. If you can share more specific product types (e.g., Bluetooth earphones, Wi-Fi routers, or other devices), BLUEASIA Tech: 13534225140 will provide professional certification consulting services!
