In a proactive move to keep pace with evolving industry standards and technological advancements, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Report and Order on March 10, 2023. This document outlines the incorporation of new and revised industry standards into the FCC’s equipment authorization rules, reflecting the latest best practices and measurement capabilities.
Key highlights of this decision’s implementation include:
- Validation of IBR (Incorporation by Reference) for the addition/revision of standards, streamlining the process of incorporating updated standards into FCC regulations.
- Incorporation by reference of the standard titled “American National Standard Validation Methods for Radiated Emission Test Sites; 1 GHz to 18 GHz” (ANSI C63.25.1-2018), enhancing the test site validation requirements specified in section 2.948(d) of the FCC’s rules.
- Adoption of ANSI C63.10-2020, “American National Standard of Procedures for Compliance Testing of Unlicensed Wireless Devices,” to replace existing references to ANSI C63.10-2013, ensuring alignment with the latest compliance testing procedures.
- Updating the FCC’s rules by replacing references to ISO/IEC 17025:2005(E) with references to ISO/IEC 17025:2017(E), with a two-year transition period for compliance, thereby ensuring conformity with current laboratory testing requirements.
- Incorporating the updated “American National Standard for Methods of Measurement of Radio-Noise Emissions from Low-Voltage Electrical and Electronic Equipment in the Range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz, Amendment 1: Test Site Validation” (ANSI C63.4a-2017), further refining the measurement methodologies for radio-noise emissions.
While these changes may not directly impact type approval, spectrum usage, or imports, they signify the FCC’s commitment to maintaining regulatory standards that facilitate the certification process for all telecommunications devices falling under FCC jurisdiction.
Overall, the FCC’s proactive approach to incorporating updated industry standards underscores its dedication to ensuring compliance, fostering innovation, and advancing the reliability and performance of telecom devices in the United States market.