What is FCC DOC Verification Certification?

What is FCC SDOC Certification?

FCC SDOC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) certification is a process where equipment suppliers (specifically, U.S. local companies) inspect equipment to ensure it meets required standards or regulations. Compliant equipment should provide relevant documents (such as the SDoC declaration) to the public as proof. This policy simplifies the previously complex FCC certification requirements, reducing the burden on businesses.

In other words, only U.S. companies can issue an SDoC declaration. Non-U.S. companies (including laboratories, manufacturers, etc.) cannot issue SDoC declarations. On November 2, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided to replace the DoC and VoC programs with SDoC to streamline the certification process for wireless devices and equipment and to clarify electronic labeling standards.

FCC SDoC Implementation Date

Mandatory enforcement began on November 2, 2018. The FCC SDoC was fully implemented on this date, with a transition period from November 2, 2017, to November 2, 2018. During this year-long transition, businesses could continue using the FCC VoC and DoC certification procedures or directly use the new FCC SDoC certification process. After the transition year, the FCC SDoC certification program officially replaced the previous VoC and DoC methods.

Products Applicable for FCC SDoC Certification

When applying for FCC certification, FCC SDoC is applicable to ordinary products without wireless functions, including those with only digital circuits—such as computer peripherals, microwave ovens, ISM devices, switching power supplies, LED bulbs, wireless receivers, and television interface equipment.

This includes products like monitors, common household appliances, lighting, personal computers and peripherals, household electrical equipment, power tools, audiovisual products, lamps, toys, and security products (e.g., monitors, mice, refrigerators, electric kettles, hairdryers, LED lights, electronic toys, and general access control devices).

Components of SDoC

1. Applicants must provide information about the responsible party in the U.S., including name, address, and telephone number, and ensure this information is easily accessible to customers.

2. The FCC logo on products is no longer a mandatory requirement.

3. The SDoC is effective from November 2, 2017.

4. Products certified under FCC DoC and VoC before November 1, 2017, can continue to be sold during the one-year transition period, ending on November 2, 2018.

Changes with FCC SDoC

- There are clear requirements for the product's responsible party, which must be a U.S. company. This party can be the importer, consignee, or customs broker. After November 2, 2018, FCC DoC and VoC will no longer be valid.

- All SDoC products can choose whether to display the FCC logo.

- Certification methods for commonly used devices have significantly changed. Except for products with wireless transmission, scanning receivers, broadband over power lines, and radar detection products that must have an FCC ID, other products can choose between FCC ID or SDoC.

Requirements for FCC SDoC Declaration Documents

According to FCC Rule 2.1077, the declaration document must include:

1. Product information: such as product name, model, etc.

2. FCC compliance warning.

3. Information about the U.S. responsible party: company name, address, contact number, or internet contact information.

The document must be shipped and sold with the product.

Form of FCC SDoC Declaration Documents

The declaration documents can be in the following forms:

1. A separate page or instructions attached to the shipped product (note: each product requires this, not just per shipment batch).

2. Information included directly in the shipment instruction manual.

Impact of FCC SDoC on Applicant Companies

The FCC SDoC certification process is simpler and clearer than the previous procedures. It allows the use of electronic labels and reduces cumbersome import declaration requirements, aiming to simplify the complex FCC certification requirements further and reduce the burden on businesses.

Impact of FCC SDoC on Laboratory Institutions

The SDoC certification project requires a test report but does not mandate testing in an FCC-recognized laboratory, using the previous testing standards. This greatly relaxes the requirements for laboratories. For unintentional radiating devices, the FCC intends to allow both SDoC and Certification.

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