Northwest EMC

The Latest from Our New SAR Test Lab

June 15 2011

Since its open in January 2011, our new SAR Testing lab in Hillsboro, Oregon has been bustling. Being that NW EMC provides not only testing services but also certification and global approvals our clients often ask us for consultative support. Some of the common questions we are asked specifically around SAR testing include the basics, such as “How do I know if my product requires SAR Testing?”

One reference that helps in answering this question is the FCC’s website. The FCC’s website offer information on RF Exposure and appropriate SAR Testing and Performance criteria.

In the European Union, RF exposure limits Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC. Here is a link to the full recommendation. Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC

Finally here is a complete reference article from CE-Mag.com, that discusses the specific differences between US and European guidelines for RF exposure and SAR testing. Radio-Frequency Radiation for Transmitters: A Comparison of U.S. and European Requirements

As always we encourage you to “contact us” for help in understanding testing requirements and ultimately getting your products to market.

Korea RRA Announces New EMC Regulations, Including New KC Mark

February 18 2011

Korea’s Radio Research Agency (RRA) announced new regulations that take affect immediately. Be aware that these regulations could significantly affect the approval processes for EMC product registration in Korea. We’ve listed the changes below. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

1. Wireless Module Approval is now allowed.
2. There is a new KC logo or “mark” that will be effective on July 1st of 2011. The old KCC logo will be allowed until this date, however, after July 1st, only the new KC Mark will be accepted. **See additional notes below for more details.
   
3. The KC logo and approval number must be on the unit and shipment package.
4. The new format for the EMC Registrations number will be as follows: KCC-REM-AAA-XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
   • The REM stands for Registration EMC Manufacturer.
   • You will still need to have a company ID code, which is what the “AAA” represents.
   • There is no longer a class “A” or “B” marking requirement.
5. You will need to submit 3 forms upon registration:
   • An Application
   • Local Agent Agreement
   • DoC letter
6. The EMC registration Certificate will be issued on the same day of submission.

The process outside of these changes remains the same as before. You will still have to submit your test report and technical files for RRA’s review to make sure they comply with their regulations.

The RRA will also conduct serious audits. If any issues with the data and/or technical files should arise, your registration is subject to immediate cancellation.

Additional Notes

**The new KC logo is dark blue (indigo), gold, and silver or black. The certification mark size can be adjusted, but never less than 5mm in height. If the device is extremely small, you can put the certification mark on the package/box. Or you can put only the KC logo or only the certificate number on the product. These new label requirements must be adhered to starting on July 1st, 2011.

All EMC testing will be required starting in July, while safety tests are still under consideration and not fixed. If the device or system currently uses the old KCC approved RF module, it doesn’t need to repeat the RF testing and approval. Product list for 2 schemes: Conformity Certification and Conformity Registration, has been announced.

For questions and further information on what this means to our clients, do not hesitate to Contact Us!

New Requirements for CNS 13438 Taiwan

August 12 2010

Proposal for adding the measurement of radiated disturbance above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438 to implement commodity inspection

By the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs

Background:
Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment (which is tested as ITE) and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85) are subject to mandatory inspection and shall comply with CNS 13438. The test items regarding the radiated disturbance above 1 GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are not performed currently. In order to ensure protection of consumer, the BSMI intends to implement these two additional test items of CNS 13438 beginning from October 1, 2010. (CNS 13438: Information technology equipment – Radio disturbance Characteristics – limits and methods of measurement, as amended on June 1, 2006, is harmonized with CISPR 22: 2005.04).

Proposed date of implementation:
October 1, 2010

Products (HS/CCCN codes) covered and their applicable inspection standards:
Information technology equipment, multimedia equipment and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85) that are already announced to be subject to mandatory inspection

Related requirements:
1. Starting from October 1, 2010, the above-mentioned regulated products that are also required to comply with the requirements concerning radiated disturbance above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438 (hereinafter as the legal inspection items).

2. The above-mentioned testing items are applicable to products that have the internal emission sources utilizing highest frequency more than (including) 108MHz and / or telecommunication ports such as Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment and similar equipment that are tested to comply with CNS 13438.

3. Starting from the implementation date, products covered in this notice shall comply with the requirements of radiated disturbance above 1GHz, and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports in CNS 13438 when the application for the Registration of Product Certification (RPC) or Type Approval (TA) certificate is submitted to the BSMI. The BSMI will accept such applications complying with the above-mentioned testing items starting from the date of adoption of the notice. When the BSMI completes the review procedure and approves the application, a certificate will be issued and the applicable inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

4. For those products that have been certified before the date of implementation, the certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items will remain valid until the date of expiration, provided that the products, including the main model, are not modified. For products that the additional testing above 1GHz and/or conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are required to be performed, the certificates may be used until the
expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. For products to which the additional testing above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are not applicable, the certificate holders may apply for extension of validity of the certificate.

5. For product certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items, application for adding series models are acceptable before the date of implementation. Such certificates may be used until the expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. If the main model and series models of a certificate are tested and comply with the above-mentioned testing items, the certificate holder may apply for a new certificate. The term of validity of the new certificate will be 3 years and the applicable 2 inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

6. When applying for adding series models that intend to comply with the above-mentioned testing items, all the existing main model and series models of the certificate shall be tested and comply with the same requirements. A new certificate will be issued at the same time for such applications.

7. Starting from the date of implementation, for products to which the above-mentioned testing items are applicable and the applicable inspection scheme is Declaration of Conformity, the obligatory inspection applicant shall have their products tested to comply with the complete test requirements, and re-declare the conformity (re-issue the declaration of conformity) according to the relevant regulations before putting the product onto the market.

New Korea Requirement – KCC

July 15 2010

As of April 1, 2010 Korean officials have tightened importation requirements. Now, a manufacturer must provide a KCC certificate and two photos of the product (front and label) in order to get customs clearance. Every shipment to Korea must contain these documents.

Northwest EMC can help you obtain a KCC certificate. Our U.S. laboratories are accredited to the Korean KN standards and our in-country agents make obtaining approvals fast and easy. Typically, KCC certificates are received within 5 business days after submission to Korea.