Detailed explanation of household product certification in the United States and Europe

In the US market, FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification is a necessary condition for many home products to enter the market. Founded in 1934, the FCC is an independent government agency tasked with coordinating domestic and foreign communications matters by regulating radio broadcasts, television, telecommunications, satellites and cables. FCC certification is particularly important for products involving radio applications, including but not limited to Bluetooth devices, radios, WLAN devices, and other intentional radiators.

Product categories that require FCC certification

• Lighting products: such as LED lamps, LED displays, LED power supplies, etc.;
• Household electrical equipment and power tools: such as air conditioners, refrigerators, batteries, washing machines, small motors, etc.;
• Personal computers and their accessories: such as personal computers, monitors, power adapters, mice, etc.;
• Audio and video equipment: including TVs, set-top boxes, DVD/VCD players, MP3 players, home audio systems, etc.;
• Wireless products: such as Bluetooth devices, wireless remote switches, wireless mice and keyboards, etc.;
• Communication equipment: such as phones, 2G/3G/4G mobile phones, walkie-talkies, etc.;
• Toy products: covering metal toys, plastic toys, wooden toys, bamboo toys, stuffed toys, paper toys and electronic toys;
• Security equipment: such as alarms, access control systems, surveillance cameras, etc.

FCC certification standards and scope of application

According to different uses, the FCC divides controlled products into Category A (commercial or industrial use) and Category B (household use), among which Category B products have stricter standards. Specifically, common standards include:

• FCC Part15: Regulations for unintentional emitting devices;
• FCC Part18: Requirements involving industrial, scientific and medical equipment;
• FCC Part22: Standard for public mobile communications services;
• FCC Part24: Terms related to personal communications services;
• FCC Part25: Regulations on satellite communications services;
• FCC Part27: Contents of other wireless communications services;
• FCC Part68: Technical requirements for telecommunications terminal equipment.

In addition, in the European market, household products must comply with certification systems such as CE, RoHS, and WEEE. The CE mark indicates that the product complies with EU health, safety and environmental protection standards and is applicable to a variety of products, such as toys, TV/audio equipment, etc. At the same time, the RoHS directive restricts the use of specific hazardous substances in electronic products to promote waste recycling. The WEEE directive focuses on the recycling of waste electrical and electronic products.

To sum up, whether in the US or European markets, compliance requirements for household products are very strict and cover a wide range of product types and technical fields. Enterprises should fully understand the laws and regulations of the target market to ensure that products can enter smoothly and win the trust of consumers.