United States of America
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
FCC regulates unnecessary EMI generation from major electrical and electronic products to manage the efficiency of the usage of the radio wave resources in the United States. If the related product did not receive the FC certification, it is impossible to export products into the United States, therefore obtaining the FCC certification is essential.
Further On, Since 1996, FCC has adopted the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) system, and is selectively proceeding in parallel with products corresponding to certification among the existing certification types. This is a system that conducts DoC after testing at a testing laboratory certified (acre-dited) as 'NVLAP' or 'A2LA', therefore application and approval from the FCC is unnecessary. However, it is currently only available at laboratories in countries that have mutual MRA agreements with the United States.
- Target items :
Radio Frequency Devices and parts and components that generate radio waves when used
47 CFR PART 15 Radio Frequency Devices: Most information and communication devices such as PCs and peripheral devices, TVs, wireless communication devices, etc.
47 CFR PART 18 Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment: light bulbs, medical devices, etc.
47 CFR Part 68 Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network: Devices connected to telephone lines, such as cable modems and telephones, etc.
FCC regulates unnecessary EMI generation from major electrical and electronic products to manage the efficiency of the usage of the radio wave resources in the United States. If the related product did not receive the FC certification, it is impossible to export products into the United States, therefore obtaining the FCC certification is essential.
Further On, Since 1996, FCC has adopted the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) system, and is selectively proceeding in parallel with products corresponding to certification among the existing certification types. This is a system that conducts DoC after testing at a testing laboratory certified (acre-dited) as 'NVLAP' or 'A2LA', therefore application and approval from the FCC is unnecessary. However, it is currently only available at laboratories in countries that have mutual MRA agreements with the United States.
- Target items :
Radio Frequency Devices and parts and components that generate radio waves when used
47 CFR PART 15 Radio Frequency Devices: Most information and communication devices such as PCs and peripheral devices, TVs, wireless communication devices, etc.
47 CFR PART 18 Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment: light bulbs, medical devices, etc.
47 CFR Part 68 Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network: Devices connected to telephone lines, such as cable modems and telephones, etc.
Underwriter Laboratories (UL)
The UL certification is not compulsory, voluntary certification which is one of the nationally designated testing laboratory (NRTL) certifications; it is attached to many products which are exported to the United States. Even though it’s a non-compulsory certification, due to high preference amongst consumers, producers, sellers and importers sometimes request it alongside with compulsory certification. Further on, some state governments in the UNited States enforce NRTL (UL) certification.
- Target items :
electrical/electronic products, building structures, building materials, fire prevention products, swimming pool equipment, toys, flammable liquid storage, hazardous materials, safety-related software, products for ships, etc. 17,000 types of items, 70% of which are electrical fields
The UL certification is not compulsory, voluntary certification which is one of the nationally designated testing laboratory (NRTL) certifications; it is attached to many products which are exported to the United States. Even though it’s a non-compulsory certification, due to high preference amongst consumers, producers, sellers and importers sometimes request it alongside with compulsory certification. Further on, some state governments in the UNited States enforce NRTL (UL) certification.
- Target items :
electrical/electronic products, building structures, building materials, fire prevention products, swimming pool equipment, toys, flammable liquid storage, hazardous materials, safety-related software, products for ships, etc. 17,000 types of items, 70% of which are electrical fields
Energy Star
Energy Star is America’s energy efficiency certification. It is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to attach the ENERGY STAR mark to products that meet energy efficiency guidelines. It is applied to home appliances, building materials, computers, electronic devices, air conditioning and heating devices, pumps, etc. After undergoing tests at a testing laboratory recognized by the US EPA and receiving third-party certification from a designated certification body, the efficiency labels can be attached onto the product. Energy Star is applied not only to the United States but also to Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Europe.
- Target items :
Energy efficiency labels are applied to 8 product groups, and target products are continuously being added.
http://www.energystar.gov/certified-products/certified-products?c=products.pr_find_es_products
1. Household
- Electronics: audio, video, cordless phones, set-top boxes, cable boxes, televisions
- Appliances: air purifier, washing machine, dehumidifier, dishwasher, freezer, refrigerator
- Office equipment: computers, digital copiers, displays, imagers, postal equipment, small network equipment, uninterruptible power supplies
- Water heater: high efficiency water heater, gas/solar water heater, etc.
- Battery charging products: battery chargers, wireless power supplies, wireless garden trimmers, portable vacuum cleaners, personal care devices
- Lighting fixtures, ventilators: decorative lights, ventilators, electric fans, light bulbs, luminaires
- Cooling and heating equipment: central air conditioner, room air conditioner, boiler, non-ducted heating and cooling, ventilation fan, electric fan, air-type heat pump, geothermal heat pump
2. Industrial
- Electronics: audio, video, cordless phones, professional displays, set-top boxes, cable boxes, televisions
- Commercial equipment: commercial washing machines, vending machines, beverage coolers
- Office Equipment: Computer, data central storage device, digital copier, display, company server, video equipment, postal equipment, uninterruptible power supply
- Water heaters: commercial water heaters, high-efficiency water heaters, gas/solar water heaters, etc.
- Battery charging products: battery chargers, wireless power supplies, wireless garden trimmers, portable vacuum cleaners, personal care devices
- Lighting fixtures, ventilators: commercial lighting fixtures, light bulbs, lighting fixtures
- Cooling and heating equipment: central air conditioner, boiler, ventilator, electric fan, geothermal heat pump, commercial light heating & cooling
- Commercial foodservice products: commercial kitchen appliance packages, commercial dishwashers, commercial fryers, commercial griddles, commercial ice makers, commercial ovens, commercial steam cookers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, commercial refrigerators, freezers
Energy Star is America’s energy efficiency certification. It is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to attach the ENERGY STAR mark to products that meet energy efficiency guidelines. It is applied to home appliances, building materials, computers, electronic devices, air conditioning and heating devices, pumps, etc. After undergoing tests at a testing laboratory recognized by the US EPA and receiving third-party certification from a designated certification body, the efficiency labels can be attached onto the product. Energy Star is applied not only to the United States but also to Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Europe.
- Target items :
Energy efficiency labels are applied to 8 product groups, and target products are continuously being added.
http://www.energystar.gov/certified-products/certified-products?c=products.pr_find_es_products
1. Household
- Electronics: audio, video, cordless phones, set-top boxes, cable boxes, televisions
- Appliances: air purifier, washing machine, dehumidifier, dishwasher, freezer, refrigerator
- Office equipment: computers, digital copiers, displays, imagers, postal equipment, small network equipment, uninterruptible power supplies
- Water heater: high efficiency water heater, gas/solar water heater, etc.
- Battery charging products: battery chargers, wireless power supplies, wireless garden trimmers, portable vacuum cleaners, personal care devices
- Lighting fixtures, ventilators: decorative lights, ventilators, electric fans, light bulbs, luminaires
- Cooling and heating equipment: central air conditioner, room air conditioner, boiler, non-ducted heating and cooling, ventilation fan, electric fan, air-type heat pump, geothermal heat pump
2. Industrial
- Electronics: audio, video, cordless phones, professional displays, set-top boxes, cable boxes, televisions
- Commercial equipment: commercial washing machines, vending machines, beverage coolers
- Office Equipment: Computer, data central storage device, digital copier, display, company server, video equipment, postal equipment, uninterruptible power supply
- Water heaters: commercial water heaters, high-efficiency water heaters, gas/solar water heaters, etc.
- Battery charging products: battery chargers, wireless power supplies, wireless garden trimmers, portable vacuum cleaners, personal care devices
- Lighting fixtures, ventilators: commercial lighting fixtures, light bulbs, lighting fixtures
- Cooling and heating equipment: central air conditioner, boiler, ventilator, electric fan, geothermal heat pump, commercial light heating & cooling
- Commercial foodservice products: commercial kitchen appliance packages, commercial dishwashers, commercial fryers, commercial griddles, commercial ice makers, commercial ovens, commercial steam cookers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, commercial refrigerators, freezers
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA is America’s certification for medical devices. It is classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 according to the degree of risk. Class 1 medical devices are the lowest risk group registered with the FDA, and more than 90% of class 2 medical devices need approval by the US FDA (510K). Class 3 medical devices must obtain FDA approval (PMA) before being marketed in the United States.
- Target items :
In the United States, medical devices are defined in Section 201(h) of the FD&C Act,
and not only medical devices in the United States are treated as medical devices but also in some cases, accessories and components.
FDA is America’s certification for medical devices. It is classified as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 according to the degree of risk. Class 1 medical devices are the lowest risk group registered with the FDA, and more than 90% of class 2 medical devices need approval by the US FDA (510K). Class 3 medical devices must obtain FDA approval (PMA) before being marketed in the United States.
- Target items :
In the United States, medical devices are defined in Section 201(h) of the FD&C Act,
and not only medical devices in the United States are treated as medical devices but also in some cases, accessories and components.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
NRTL stands for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, www.osha.gov) under the U.S. Department of Labor.
Safety standards specified by OSHA are specified in CFR (code of federal regulations) 29, and NRTL certification provisions are specified in 29 CFR Part 1910. According to the United States law, OSHA designated testing laboratories in the United States to NTRL to force certain industrial products (37 fields) to be tested and certified by NTRL.
Target Products:
- Fire prevention and extinguishing equipment: automatic sprinkler system, fire extinguisher (dry chemical, sprayer, foam, gaseous agent, etc.), fire extinguishing system and parts, portable fire extinguisher, fire alarm system, fire door, heat detection device, flame breaker, hose etc.
- Gas equipment: LPG-related equipment such as LPG reservoirs, valves, and pipes, LPG handling equipment and machinery
- Products used in hazardous environments with a risk of explosion (explosion-proof products)
- Accessory that stores electrical and electronic products (pump, compressor, safety rescue equipment, liquid scale gauge equipment, valve, pressure gauge, etc.)
NRTL stands for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory recognized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, www.osha.gov) under the U.S. Department of Labor.
Safety standards specified by OSHA are specified in CFR (code of federal regulations) 29, and NRTL certification provisions are specified in 29 CFR Part 1910. According to the United States law, OSHA designated testing laboratories in the United States to NTRL to force certain industrial products (37 fields) to be tested and certified by NTRL.
Target Products:
- Fire prevention and extinguishing equipment: automatic sprinkler system, fire extinguisher (dry chemical, sprayer, foam, gaseous agent, etc.), fire extinguishing system and parts, portable fire extinguisher, fire alarm system, fire door, heat detection device, flame breaker, hose etc.
- Gas equipment: LPG-related equipment such as LPG reservoirs, valves, and pipes, LPG handling equipment and machinery
- Products used in hazardous environments with a risk of explosion (explosion-proof products)
- Accessory that stores electrical and electronic products (pump, compressor, safety rescue equipment, liquid scale gauge equipment, valve, pressure gauge, etc.)
