FCC / TCB Approvals

Secure FCC Approval for Your Products with TÜV Rheinland

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that all customer-premise telecom equipment and network-attached telecom equipment meet minimum compliance standards. Part 15 of the FCC rules requires emissions testing to prevent harmful radio interference. Part 68 testing, on the other hand, is designed to prevent basic harms to the network, such as hazardous voltages.

TÜV Rheinland is an ANSI-accredited Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) that can process these FCC approvals, ensuring that your products can be marketed and sold in the United States.

Benefits at a Glance

With FCC/TCB approvals services from TÜV Rheinland, you can be sure of:

  • Conformity to FCC set standards
  • Assurance that your product meets all criteria for FCC certification
  • Quicker time to market, as most TCB approvals can be issued in one week or less after testing and documentation is complete
  • Greater market access
  • Reduced cost and faster time to market
  • A lead against the competition with neutral third-party certification
  • Reduced risk of company liability with documented safety standards
  • Fast audit times and our long-standing experience
  • TÜV Rheinland’s exclusive, one-stop service

Our FCC / TCB Approval Services

TÜV Rheinland offers testing, reporting, and processing of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approvals for:

  • Telecommunications terminal equipment under Part 68 of the FCC rules
  • RF (wireless) device under Parts 15, 90, 95, and 97 of the FCC rules
  • Others in which the FCC allows approval by a TCB

Approach

TÜV Rheinland’s FCC / TCB quick and simple approval approach is as follows:

  • Test and evaluate product to determine compliance under one of the following procedures: verification, declaration of conformity (DoC), or certification
  • Prepare test report and application
  • Submit documentation to the FCC

Once the FCC grants approval, the FCC logo can be used and the products marketed and sold.

More Information

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

A Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) is a non-governmental body accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to review applications and issue FCC certification grants of approval for devices requiring approvals.

All intentional radiators (transmitter) require certification regardless of their power or license for use. Depending on the type of device, one of the following authorizations will be required:

  • Certification through the FCC
  • Certification through a TCB
  • Certification through either the FCC or a TCB

Part 15 of the FCC rules (47 C.F.R. Part 15) requires that any digital device that operates at 9 kHz or higher is regulated by the FCC. It is a federal regulation that sets limitations on the amount of electromagnetic interference allowed from digital and electronic devices, such as wristwatches, musical instruments, computers, telephones, and low-power transmitters.

Part 68 of the FCC rules (47 C.F.R. Part 68) is a federal regulation that requires you to test and register your equipment with the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments (ACTA) prior to its connection to the network. The tests designated by ACTA are designed to detect if your equipment presents any potential harm to the network; for devices such as conventional modems and telephones, basic harms-to-the network requirements include:

  • Hazardous voltage and current tests
  • Signal power limitations, such as intentional differential (metallic) signals and unintentional signals
  • Transverse balance
  • Billing protection for network operators to fairly bill their customers
  • Lightning surge and drop test
  • AC and DC on-hook impedance requirements

The FCC approves systems and not individual parts (exceptions apply). Some examples include cell phones, computers, and so on.

And, if you are interested in TÜV Rheinland’s FCC/TCB approvals services, you may also be interested in these services:

  • Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing
  • TL 9000 compliance
  • Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE) compliance
  • Certifications to sell telecom products in other international countries
  • Bluetooth testing
  • Wi-Fi testing
  • Wireless testing

Products Covered

Our services cover the following products, among others:

  • Telecommunications terminal equipment
  • RF (wireless) device
  • Radio equipment