Overview of FCC Telecommunication Certification Body Program

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Overview of FCCTelecommunication Certification
Body Program

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Objectives

• To meet the Commissions Mission
• The FCC's mission is to encourage competition in
  communications and to promote and support access
  for every American to existing and advanced
  telecommunications services.
• ET Docket 98-68 provided for
• Private Certification Bodies known as
  Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs)
  and
• Permit the certification of equipment by private
  organizations outside of the United States
  through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)

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What is a TCB?

• A Telecommunication Certification Body is a
  Certification Body that has been accredited to
  ISO/IEC Guide 65 by a recognized Accrediting
  Organization and designated by the FCC to approve
  equipment subject to certification.
• A TCB is not a test laboratory, nor should it
  function in that capacity.
• As a TCB, it has certain rights and
  responsibilities.
• Foreign entities may become a TCB in accordance
  with the terms of a government-to-government
  Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement.

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New Rules for TCBs

• FCC GEN Docket 98-68
• Establishes procedures for designating a
  Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB)
• Manufacturers have the option to choose a TCB or
  the FCC to obtain approval of a product subject
  to certification
• NIST identified as the accrediting organization
  Authority for US Conformity Assessment Bodies
  (CABs)
• A TCB must be accredited to ISO Guides 25 65

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TCB Scope of Responsibility

• A TCB (see 2.962 (e) and Public Notice, DA
  99-1640)
• Is empowered to certify products in accordance
  with the FCC rules
• Must provide fair and equitable treatment
• Must accept test data from any source, subject to
  subcontracting clause in ISO Guide 65 and shall
  not unnecessarily repeat tests
• May assess fees for processing applications
• May rescind grant within 30 days

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TCB Limitations

• A TCB cannot (see 2.962(e)(5))
• Waive the rules
• Take enforcement actions (refer to FCC)
• Certify a unique product for which there are no
  Rules
• Revoke a grant after 30 days
• Authorize transfer of control of a grantee

All TCB actions are subject to FCC review
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TCB Implementation

• First TCB Training Course - December 1999
• Measurement procedures for Spread Spectrum
  Frequency Hopping Devices and UNII Devices -
  March 2000
• Designation of first group of TCBs - June 2000
• A total of 18 domestic TCBs were accredited. One
  was accredited for Part 68 only with the others
  accredited for most of other scopes

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TCB Implementation

• First TCB grants made via uploading application
  information into the FCC EAS computer - June 2001
• European Union designates first foreign TCBs -
  January 2001
• Release of OET 65, Supplement C - July 2001
• SAR Training Course for TCBs - August 2001
• Total of 31operational TCBs in the United States
  and Europe March 2002

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Application Filing Trends

• The number of applications granted by TCBs have
  been steadily increasing since June of last year.
• One year since the program started the number of
  grants issued by TCBs exceeds the number of
  grants issued by the FCC.
• TCBs are granting approximately 75 of the total
  number of grants issued.

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