Regulatory Compliance Testing

EMC requirements exist in nearly all countries worldwide, and many nations have harmonized their EMC standards. Developing a product with EMC considerations in mind is crucial. Testing your product against the appropriate EMC standards early in the development cycle is important to minimize last-minute design changes that can potentially delay time to market.

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) governs the regulatory compliance for EMC. FCC Part 15 of the Rules outlines the requirements for unintentional (incidental) radiators and low-powered unlicensed transmitters. Common low-powered unlicensed transmitters include mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave.

In Canada, Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), also known as Industry Canada (IC), serves as the certification body for intentional and unintentional (incidental) radiators. ISED covers technical specifications, administrative requirements, and other conditions related to the marketing of such radiators.

Emissions control in Japan is performed on a voluntary basis, under the supervision of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI). 

The radiated and conducted emissions limits established by the VCCI are identical to those of CISPR 22.

Product safety testing is a critical aspect of regulatory compliance that must be considered during the product design phase. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) administers product safety standards for the workplace. Any product used in the workplace must be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) to ensure its safe use. NRTL approval applies to products used in workplaces subject to OSHA’s jurisdiction, including many private employers and federal government facilities.

Most countries around the world have established product safety requirements, with many European and other nations adopting common harmonized product safety standards. The United States and Canada also follow similar harmonization. As with EMC testing, evaluating and testing your product against the appropriate product safety standards early in development can expedite time to market.

The European CE testing primarily focuses on EMC and Safety, emphasizing the protection of the public and consumers. Harmonization with national regulations is a key objective to reduce regulatory barriers between European countries and facilitate the movement of goods. To obtain the CE Mark through CE testing, manufacturers must adhere to the EMC (2014/30/EU), Low Voltage (2014/35/EU), and Radio Equipment (2014/53/EU) Directives, where applicable, and reference applicable harmonized standards.

In addition to EMC and product safety testing, other regulatory considerations include FDA regulations for medical devices, Energy Star compliance, and compliance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS).