Wireless
FCC Issues Guidance on New E-Labeling
On July 11, 2014, the FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology (OET) released new guidance giving some consumer electronics manufacturers more flexibility in digitally labeling (e-labeling) their products. The guidance advises that all devices with an integral (non-removable) screen can now display that label digitally on that screen, and up to three steps deep into... Read More
Some Electronic Devices Are Exempt from FCC EMC Testing
Most electronic devices destined for sale in the U.S. fall under Part 15 (CFR 47) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules for limits to the unintentional and intentional emission of radiation. However, there are some exemptions that you may be able to take advantage of, depending on the nature of your product. You can... Read More
Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Replacing R&TTE Directive, is Published in OJ
The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) – 2014/53/EU – has been published in the Official Journal. This Directive is replacing the RTTE Directive (1999/5/EC). You can read more about the changes in the new RED in a previous Compliance Today post. Timetable May 22, 2014 – Publication in OJ June 12, 2014 – Entry in force... Read More
Wireless & Radio Regulations Changing for FCC & RE Directive
At last week’s TCB Council Workshop in Baltimore, TCBs – including MET Labs – were given an update on upcoming wireless regulatory and compliance changes. Here are the most notable. The FCC released a First Report and Order (ET Docket No. 13-49) on April 1, 2014 allowing devices in the U-NII-1 band to operate with... Read More
New Radio Equipment Directive Adopted by EU, Awaits Publication in OJ
The new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) was adopted by the Members of the EU Parliament (MEPs) on March 13, 2014 by 550 votes to 12. It is now awaiting approval by the EU Council and then publication in the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union. Member states will have two years to transpose the... Read More
FCC Equipment Enforcement Focuses on HAC, U-NII & Digital Devices
The FCC took 20 enforcement actions in 2013 against RF equipment manufacturers and vendors for violations of the FCC’s marketing rules and technical standards. These actions include enforcement of Rule Parts 2, 15, 18, 22, 24, 27, 90, and 95. Fish & Richardson P.C. summarizes FCC Equipment Manufacturer Violations from 2006-2013 here. Four of the... Read More
Wireless Testing Regulatory Changes Discussed at TCB Council Workshop
At last week’s TCB Council Workshop in Baltimore, TCBs – including MET Labs – were given an update on upcoming wireless regulatory and compliance changes. Here are the most notable. Japan SAR Body SAR will be required for Japan starting April 1, 2014. The limit is 2 W/kg for body and 4 W/kg for arms... Read More
Wireless Equipment Subject to EN 300 328 V1.7.1 Needs Retesting
Late last year, Version 1.8.1 of EN 300 328 was adopted and published in the EU’s Official Journal (OJ). This standard is the applicable standard for WiFi, Bluetooth, and other wideband transmitters operating in the 2.4GHz band. Version 1.8.1 has an effective date of December 31, 2014, so declarations of conformity with the Radio and... Read More
RF Survey Assures Wireless Connectivity
MET Labs recently completed a novel RF survey for a large federal government agency laboratory, to determine whether refrigerators and freezers on multiple floors in multiple buildings are receiving a sufficient-strength wireless signal with minimal noise. Here are some of the project details, as well as surveyed information: Operating frequencies: 2.4 GHz ISM Band; 5... Read More
FDA Issues Guidance for Integration of RF Wireless Technology in Medical Devices
Due to rapid growth in medical devices that incorporate RF wireless technology, on August 14 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released final guidance for integrating radio frequency (RF) wireless technology in medical devices. The guidance is recommended, but not mandatory. FDA said its recommendations cover devices that are implanted or worn on the body, and... Read More
