We've previously covered SRRC, China's radio type approval requirement. This article covers FCC, its US counterpart — something most electronic products, especially wireless ones, will run into when heading to the US market. Here's the regulatory basis, the compliance paths, and cost/timeline reference ranges.
What FCC Certification Is, and Its Regulatory Basis
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates the radio spectrum and electromagnetic compatibility of electronic devices within the US under Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (47 CFR). Any product that emits radio frequency signals, has wireless communication functions, or is simply an electronic device generally needs to meet the relevant FCC rules before entering the US market — most commonly 47 CFR Part 15 (radio frequency devices) and Part 68 (telephone network terminal equipment).
Common FCC Compliance Paths
The FCC applies different compliance procedures depending on the product type. Three common ones are:
- SDoC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity): applies to most ordinary electronic devices without wireless functions, under Part 15 Subpart B — the manufacturer tests (or has a lab test) the product and self-declares, with no official FCC certificate issued, but test reports must be retained for reference
- DoC (simplified Declaration of Conformity): applies to certain Part 15 devices, with a relatively simplified process, generally for Unintentional Radiators
- Certification: products with wireless transmission functions (such as Bluetooth or WiFi modules) fall under Part 15 Subpart C as Intentional Radiators, and generally need to be tested by a lab accredited by an FCC-recognized accreditation body, then reviewed by a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) to obtain an FCC ID
Which path applies depends on whether the product has wireless transmission functions, and its operating frequency band and power. A concrete example: a USB charger without a wireless module generally only needs SDoC self-declaration; but if the same charger integrates a Bluetooth speaker function, the Bluetooth module portion needs to go through the separate Certification path to obtain an FCC ID, while the charger's own electromagnetic interference testing still follows SDoC.
How FCC Differs from SRRC and CE-RED
All three address radio/electronics compliance, but for different markets:
- FCC: United States, under 47 CFR
- SRRC: Mainland China, under the Administrative Measures for Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval
- CE-RED: European Union (Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, a specific directive under the broader CE framework)
If the same product is headed to all three markets, it generally needs to satisfy each set of standards separately — one report can't substitute for another, since band allocation and power limits aren't fully aligned across regions. For example, in the 2.4GHz band, FCC's power limit, China's SRRC limit, and the EU's RED limit all differ, so the same hardware design still needs to be submitted separately to each.
Cost and Timeline Reference (for budget planning only, not a quote)
Actual cost varies considerably depending on whether the product has wireless functions and which compliance path applies. The following ranges are for rough budget planning only:
- Ordinary electronics without wireless functions (SDoC path): only Part 15 Subpart B EMI testing is involved, typically taking about 2-3 weeks
- Products with a single wireless module (Certification path, obtaining an FCC ID): due to the TCB review step, typically about 4-6 weeks
- Products with multiple wireless modules (e.g. Bluetooth + WiFi + cellular): each module must be tested separately and an FCC ID applied for individually, typically taking about 6-10 weeks
For an accurate quote, provide whether the product has a wireless module and its specific model — using an off-the-shelf, already-certified wireless module (Modular Approval) generally allows reuse of the module maker's certification results without retesting the wireless portion, which can significantly cut both timeline and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does an electronic product without wireless functions still need FCC? A: Yes — as long as it's an electronic device, it generally needs to meet FCC Part 15 Subpart B requirements on electromagnetic interference even without wireless transmission, though the compliance path (SDoC) is simplified and no FCC ID is required.
Q: How long does it take to get an FCC ID? A: About 4-6 weeks for a single wireless module product; plan for 6-10 weeks for products with multiple wireless modules. Timelines depend on product complexity and lab scheduling — products with wireless transmission functions typically take longer than ordinary electronics without wireless features, due to the additional testing items and the TCB review step involved.
Q: I'm using a third-party pre-certified wireless module — do I still need to test for FCC? A: If the module itself already has Modular Approval and is installed per the module maker's Integration Guide, you can generally reference the module's FCC ID, but the finished product still needs to be evaluated against other FCC requirements at the full-unit level (such as Part 15 Subpart B EMI testing) — it isn't a full exemption from all test items.
If you're unsure which FCC compliance path applies to your product, send us the product details and wireless module model for an initial assessment and cost/timeline estimate.