Conformity Assessment Services
Compatible Electronics provides two primary paths to product conformity: as an FCC-authorized Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) we issue FCC equipment authorizations directly, and as a CE marking test partner we support manufacturers seeking to enter the European market under all applicable EU Directives.
FCC Approvals — Telecommunications Certification Body
The TCB system was implemented in 2000 by the Federal Communications Commission. It was created to allow the FCC to step out of the product approvals role, and to focus more on regulating and market surveillance.
Until this system was implemented, most products which intentionally radiate radio frequency energy, and products which connect to the public switched telephone network, were required to be certified directly with the FCC — a process that often took several months. Compatible Electronics TCB (CETCB) can certify these types of products generally in less than two weeks.
Our scope of accreditation covers FCC Part 15 for both intentional and unintentional radiators.
Our TCB Testing Capabilities
FCC Part 15 Radiators
- Part 15B — Unintentional radiators
- Part 15C — Intentional radiators
- Part 15D — Unlicensed PCS devices
- Part 15E — UNII devices
Wireless & RF Devices
- WiFi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
- Bluetooth and BLE
- Zigbee, Z-Wave, LoRa
- NFC and RFID
- Millimeter wave (mmWave)
Test Methods
- ANSI C63.4 — unintentional radiators
- ANSI C63.10 — intentional radiators
- ANSI C63.17 — UPCS devices
- FCC OST/MP-5 — ISM equipment
Impartiality Statement
The following policy is accepted by members representing stakeholders and shall be adhered to by all staff of the Compatible Electronics, Inc. Telecom Certification Body (CETCB).
We take our responsibility seriously to ensure impartiality and freedom from vested interests in all aspects of our certification business. For the sake of its integrity and professional standing, CETCB and its staff recognize that it must be, and must be seen to be, making decisions and establishing policies to prevent or resolve conflicts of interest so as not to influence subsequent activities of CETCB adversely.
To ensure compliance with the requirements for impartiality, the CETCB has developed and implemented appropriate policies and documented procedures for its certification operations. For more information regarding Compatible Electronics' TCB (CETCB), see our FCC certification section or feel free to contact us.
European CE Marking
Compatible Electronics has been testing for European compliance since the inception of the "New Approach" Directives. The CE mark enables the free movement of products into and within the European market.
By placing a CE mark on a product the manufacturer is declaring, on their sole responsibility, that the product conforms to all legal requirements to achieve CE marking. Prior to placing the product on the European market, a manufacturer performs an assessment of the product against all applicable EU Directives and verifies compliance with the relevant essential requirements.
Not all products require the CE mark — only products subject to specific directives must bear it. Our team helps manufacturers identify which directives apply and build the technical file required for the Declaration of Conformity.
🔎 One test session at Compatible Electronics can often satisfy multiple market requirements simultaneously. Data generated for FCC can in many cases be reused toward CE marking, Canada ICES, and other international certifications, reducing overall cost and time to market.
Applicable EU Directives
EMC & Radio
- EMC Directive 2014/30/EU (EMCD) — electromagnetic compatibility for most electronic equipment
- Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) — intentional radiators, replaces R&TTE
Safety
- Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU (LVD) — electrical equipment safety 50–1000 V AC / 75–1500 V DC
- Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC — mechanical and electromechanical equipment
- Medical Device Regulation MDR 2017/745 — medical devices including EMC requirements
CE Marking — Key Harmonized Standards
EMC Standards (EMCD)
- EN 55032 / CISPR 32 — multimedia equipment emissions
- EN 55035 / CISPR 35 — multimedia equipment immunity
- EN 55011 / CISPR 11 — ISM equipment
- EN 61000-6-1 / EN 61000-6-2 — generic immunity standards
- EN 61000-6-3 / EN 61000-6-4 — generic emissions standards
Radio Standards (RED)
- ETSI EN 300 328 — 2.4 GHz wideband data
- ETSI EN 300 440 — 1–40 GHz short range devices
- ETSI EN 300 220 — 25 MHz–1 GHz short range devices
- ETSI EN 301 489 series — EMC for radio equipment
- ETSI EN 300 330 — inductive loop 9 kHz–30 MHz
Safety Standards (LVD)
- IEC 62368-1 — A/V and IT equipment
- IEC 60335-1 — household and similar appliances
- IEC 60601-1 — medical electrical equipment
- IEC 61010-1 — measurement and lab equipment
- IEC 60204-1 — safety of machinery
Accreditations & Recognitions
All testing performed at Compatible Electronics is conducted under our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. Our ILAC-MRA recognized test reports are accepted in more than 100 countries, meaning data generated in one test campaign can support certification filings worldwide.
| Accreditation |
Scope |
Lab Locations |
| ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (NVLAP) |
EMC, Telecom, Product Safety, RF — NVLAP Lab Code 200527-0 |
Lake Forest Brea Newbury Park |
| ILAC-MRA Recognition |
Test reports mutually recognized in 100+ countries |
All locations |
| ISO/IEC 17065 |
Product certification body accreditation |
Lake Forest |
| FDA ASCA Program |
IEC 60601-1, 60601-1-2, 60601-1-6, 60601-1-8, 60601-1-11, 61010-1 |
Lake Forest Brea Newbury Park |
| FCC-Authorized TCB |
FCC Part 15 equipment authorization — intentional and unintentional radiators |
Lake Forest Brea |
| NRTL Certification |
Product certification for medical devices |
Lake Forest |
🔎 See our full certificates and scope of accreditation for the complete list of standards covered under NVLAP Lab Code 200527-0, including all locations, designations, and covered standards from EN to IEC to ANSI/FCC.
How the Conformity Assessment Process Works
1
Identify Applicable Requirements
We help determine which standards and directives apply to your product based on its intended market, function, and product category.
2
Schedule & Test
Most projects get scheduled within a few days. Tests are performed by experienced engineers at our accredited Southern California facilities.
3
Receive Accredited Test Report
NVLAP-accredited, ILAC-MRA recognized test reports issued. For FCC TCB, the equipment authorization is granted directly by CETCB — no FCC routing needed.
4
Complete Technical File & Declaration
For CE marking, test reports support the technical file and the manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC), enabling legal placement on the EU market.
Why Compatible Electronics for Conformity Assessment?
🏭
Founded 1985 — 40 years of compliance testing experience in Southern California
⚡
Fast turnaround — most projects scheduled within days, FCC TCB approvals under two weeks
🔬
10 OATS & 7 SAFs — largest commercial EMC test facility footprint in Southern California
🌎
Global data reuse — ILAC-MRA reports accepted in 100+ countries, one campaign covers multiple markets
🏥
FDA ASCA accredited — medical device test data accepted for FDA 510(k) and premarket submissions
👁
Customer witnessing welcome — engineers may attend and observe testing at any of our three facilities
Related Certifications & Testing Services
Conformity assessment draws on many underlying test services. Below are the most commonly requested in connection with FCC and CE marking programs:
Get Started Today
Need FCC certification or CE marking test support? Contact Compatible Electronics for a quote.
www.celectronics.com
