Blog
EU Updates ATEX, Medical, R&TTE & Machinery Directives for CE Marking
The European Commission has been busy updating lists of European harmonized standards for various product directives. Here are the updates to the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union, looking back from the most recent: May 4, 2012 – Updates to the ATEX Directive (94/9/EC), the European CE directive that applies to equipment used in... Read More
IECEE Suspends Brazil NCBs and CBTLs from CB Scheme
Effective last month, Brazilian National Certification Bodies (NCBs) and CB Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) have been suspended from the IECEE CB Scheme. This is the first time that the IECEE has suspended a member. The suspension is attributed to additional accreditation requirements of Brazil’s regulatory authority, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO). INMETRO requires... Read More
Health Canada Provides Guidance on IEC 60601-1 3rd Edition Transition
For Medical Electrical Equipment product safety compliance in Canada, Health Canada currently recognizes both the second edition of IEC 60601-1, published in 1988, and the third edition, published in 2005. In October, 2008, Health Canada published a notice indicating that until June 1, 2012, conformity to the second edition of IEC 60601-1 and its related... Read More
FCC Issues Draft Revisions for RF Exposure & SAR Compliance
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued draft revisions to six Knowledge Database (KDB) publications for RF exposure and SAR compliance. They are: KDB Publication 447498 – General RF Exposure Policies for Equipment Authorization Draft revision Existing publication KDB Publication 941225 – SAR Evaluation Considerations for LTE Devices Draft revision Existing publication KDB Publication... Read More
ENERGY STAR Merges Lighting Scopes into New Luminaires & Lamps Specifications
Although this year marks the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, lighting was a bit late to the party. It wasn’t until 15 years ago that residential light fixtures got their first ENERGY STAR specification, and 13 years ago that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) did. ENERGY STAR lighting continues to evolve. Following are some... Read More
CE Compliance Testing Delays Launch of Raspberry Pi Mini PC
The recent delay in the high-profile new product launch of the Raspberry Pi has reminded electronics manufacturers of a simple truth: Compliance sometimes means exceeding regulatory requirements due to buyer demands. The iPhone-size Pi is a $25 mini PC that is intended to teach students about programming. Its maker, the UK-based Raspberry Pi Foundation, had... Read More
KCC & MKE Change EMC, SAR & Product Safety Regulations in South Korea
Following are recent and near future changes to electrical product regulatory requirements in South Korea. Effective January 1, 2012, the Korean Communications Commission (KCC) requires radiated emission measurements at the limit, above 1GHz, by the highest internal source of the device and also conducted disturbance testing for devices with telecommunication ports. The limit is the same... Read More
RCM Labeling of Electrical Products in Australia & New Zealand to Coincide with New EESS Safety Requirement
As detailed in Compliance Today before, the Australia C-Tick and A-Tick regulatory compliance markings will be phased out, replaced by the existing Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). RCM Labeling The RCM mark will be the only mark to indicate compliance with the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) regulatory arrangements for telecommunications, radio, EMC and electromagnetic energy... Read More
2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) Updates Standard for the Safe Installation of Electrical Equipment
The National Electrical Code (NEC) – or NFPA 70 – was updated in 2011, as part of its 3-year change cycle. The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and is commonly adopted by U.S. state or local political subdivision, and enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Many NEC requirements refer... Read More
E3 Energy Program and IEC 62368-1 Discussed by IECEE U.S. Committee
MET Labs participated in a meeting this week of the United States National Committee of the IECEE to discuss a number of issues. E3 Program There was much discussion about the E3 Program (Energy Efficiency, Energy Performance & Energy Consumption), covered in Compliance Today previously. The U.S. initially opposed the E3 Program because there is a... Read More
