FCC Authorization for RF Equipment According to the SDoC Method

METHOD AND APPLICABILITY

The SDoC method combines and replaces the previous “Verification” and “Declaration of Conformity” methods, effective as of Nov. 2, 2017. FCC Title 47, part 2.906 defines the method as follows. A Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) is a procedure where the responsible party, as defined in §2.909, makes measurements or completes other procedures found acceptable to the Commission to ensure that the equipment complies with the appropriate technical standards. Submittal to the Commission of a sample unit or representative data demonstrating compliance is not required unless specifically requested pursuant to §2.945.

FCC Title 47, part 15 lists the following device types as falling within the SDoC authorization procedure. Optionally most of these types can also be authorized under the certification procedures

The test and technical standards can be found in FCC Title 47, part 15.31 which lists ANSI C63.4 as the applicable measurement methods for unintentional radiators. Power-line conducted and Radiated field strength EM emissions measurements are required and the applicable limits can be found in FCC Part 15.107 and 15.109 respectively.

Equipment authorized under the SDoC procedure shall be tested at a suitable laboratory that meets the requirements of ANSI C63.4 and has compiled the required site description per §2.948, accreditation is not required.

To apply the SDoC procedure, the responsible party must be located in the United States. Alternatively, a responsible party may apply the Certification procedure utilizing a Telecommunication Certification Body if they so choose, such as when they have no US presence or representation or simply wish to apply an FCC ID to the product.

A technical test report, along with additional documentation will be kept on file and made available to the FCC on request. The following items are then prepared by the responsible party;

COMPLIANCE INFORMATION STATEMENT:

(Include in user’s manual or separate sheet)

IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCT: (e.g. unique name and model number)

APPLICABLE COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS: (e.g. for part 15 devices see §15.19(a)(3))

RESPONSIBLE PARTY (IN USA) NAME: *Manufacturer, assembler, importer, or retailer

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE:

or INTERNET CONTACT INFORMATION

Responsible party must be located in the United States. An Internet contact can be provided in the place of address and telephone number.

FOR PRODUCTS ASSEMBLED FROM MODULAR COMPONENTS THAT ARE THEMSELVES SDOC OR CERTIFIED

IDENTIFICATION OF ASSEMBLED PRODUCT: (e.g. unique name and model number)

IDENTIFICATION OF MODULAR COMPONENTS USED: (e.g. As identified on it’s SDoC, or Name and Model and FCC ID if ertified)

APPLICABLE COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS: (e.g. for part 15 devices see §15.19(a)(3))

RESPONSIBLE PARTY THAT ASSEMBLED PRODUCT (IN USA) NAME: *Manufacturer, assembler, importer, or retailer

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE:

or INTERNET CONTACT INFORMATION

COPIES OF COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR EACH SDoC MODULAR COMPONENT USED

Again, the responsible party must be located in the United States. The information above may be provided electronically per §2.935

LABELING AND IDENTIFICATION

Each device shall be uniquely identified by the responsible party. The identification shall not be in a format that could be confused with the FCC ID required on certified equipment. The responsible party shall maintain records to facilitate the positive identification of each device.

Devices subject to authorization under Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity may be labeled with the following logo on a voluntary basis as a visual indication that the product complies with the applicable FCC requirements.

Label sample;

The use of the logo on the device does not alleviate the requirement to provide the required compliance information. For part 15 devices, see §15.19 for additional labeling requirements.

INFORMATION TO THE USER

example for part 15 devices

(Located in manual or operating instruction)

Caution to the user that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

(For a Class A digital device)

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the nterference at his own expense.

(For a Class B digital device)

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

<<< If shielded cables were used for testing include >>>

<<< In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment. Operation with non-approved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. >>>>

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON SUPPLIER’S DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

The Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity signifies that the responsible party, as defined in FCC Title 47 part 2.909, has determined that the equipment has been shown to comply with the applicable technical standards if no unauthorized change is made in the equipment and if the equipment is properly maintained and operated. Compliance with these standards shall not be construed to be a finding by the responsible party with respect to matters not encompassed by the Commission’s rules.

Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity is applicable to all items subsequently marketed by the manufacturer, importer, or the responsible party that are identical, as defined in §2.908, to the sample tested and found acceptable by the manufacturer.

The responsible party for a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity must be located within the United States. The responsible party can be the Manufacturer, assemble or importer. In addition to providing the Compliance Statement, you are also required to include the FCC statement to the user in the user’s manual. The compliance Test report must be in English language and must be available to the FCC within 14 days of delivery of the request.

The responsible party may, if it desires, apply for Certification of a device subject to the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity. In such cases, all rules governing certification will apply to that device.

The compliance information statement shall be included in the user’s manual or as a separate sheet. In cases where the manual is provided only in a form other than paper, such as on a computer disk or over the Internet, the information required may be included in the manual in that alternative form, provided the user can reasonably be expected to have the capability to access information in that form.