FCC Certification and Documentation Requirements

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating interstate and international communications, including those related to television, telecommunications, satellites, and cable systems. This covers over 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, ensuring the safety of radio and wire communication products that could affect life and property.

About FCC ID

The FCC ID is used for general wireless product applications. Devices that require this certification include short-range, low-power transmitters, mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, WLAN (2.4G, 5G) devices, etc. The TCB1 organization reviews the testing data and documentation submitted by third-party testing organizations. If it meets FCC regulations, a certificate is issued to the applicant.

Documents Required for FCC ID Certification:

1. Application form

2. Product samples

3. Product manual

4. Product label

5. Circuit diagram

6. Circuit description

7. Circuit block diagram

8. Authorization letter for certification

9. Non-disclosure agreement

Composition of FCC ID:

FCC ID = Grantee Code + Product Code 

- Grantee Code: This is the company code registered on the FCC website, consisting of 5 digits or letters, provided by the FCC. This number is fixed and becomes the identifier for all FCC ID applications from that company.

- Product Code: This is made up of digits, letters, and hyphens (-), and must not exceed 14 characters. The client defines this part.

FCC ID Application Documentation Requirements:

1. Application Form: The applicant must fill out the form with correct and truthful information about both the applicant and the manufacturer. When selecting product features, they must correspond to the actual features of the sample.

2. Product Samples: At least three units must be provided: one normal functional unit and two tunable units, with one having an RF testing line soldered.

3. Product Manual

4. Product Label: The FCC ID must be printed. If the Grantee Code and Product Code are not available, "XXXX" can be used. If the unit is larger than a palm, a warning message is required. For smaller units, the warning can be included in the manual. For detailed requirements, refer to KDB 784748.

5. Circuit Diagram: The information on the manual must align with the actual functions of the certified sample. The diagram should correspond to the provided sample.

6. Circuit Description: A written description of the sample’s principles, including key components and oscillators.

7. Circuit Block Diagram: This should correspond to the circuit diagram, listing key components and oscillators.

About FCC SDOC

SDOC applies to products that do not have wireless functionality, such as monitors, home appliances, lighting, etc. It includes personal computers and peripherals, home appliances, power tools, audio/video products, lighting, toys, and security products.

SDOC certification can be further divided into:

1. Certification from TCB organizations (similar to FCC ID application, where reports and documentation are submitted to TCB organizations for review, and a certificate is issued upon approval).

2. Certification from A2LA2 laboratories.

Documents Required for SDOC Certification:

1. Application form

2. Product samples

3. Product manual

4. Product label

5. Circuit diagram

6. Circuit description

7. Circuit block diagram

8. Authorization letter for certification

9. Non-disclosure agreement

10. SDOC declaration: This declaration must be signed by a U.S.-based importer, company, or distributor. The SDOC declaration must be signed by a local U.S. company.

TCB1: Fully accredited by ANSI under ISO/IEC 17065 and recognized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a Telecom Certification Body (TCB), which allows certifying telecom radio equipment submitted for certification in accordance with FCC Rules and Regulations.

A2LA2: American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).