About the International "emc-Mark"
The world's leading EMC testing and certification organizations offer manufacturers the International "emc-Mark."
This Mark incorporates European, Japanese, U.S. and Australian electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements and provides an easily identifiable declaration that a product meets the EMC regulations of these markets. Since the multiple certification process is streamlined, the International "emc-Mark" can save manufacturers time and money.
Manufacturers of products affected by EMC regulations can now look to the International "emc-Mark" as their one-stop passport to meeting EMC requirements in Europe, Japan, the United States and Australia.
Why does my product need EMC certification?
Governmental agencies throughout the world recognize the importance of EMC and have established regulations to protect life-saving and other communication systems, and safeguard users.
In the European Economic Area (EEA), the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) requires manufacturers of most electrical and electronic products placed on the market to demonstrate compliance with the Directive by issuing a Declaration of Conformity and applying the CE Marking to their products.
Third-party certification involves participation in a formal production quality assurance and independent test program, which provides greater credibility to regulatory officials and your customers than self-declaration alone. The International "emc-Mark" on your product provides visible proof to regulatory officials of your commitment to quality, along with compliance with the EMC directive. Also, many customers respect manufacturers who take steps to demonstrate compliance. The International "emc-Mark" should be recognized as improving the quality of your products; it can give them an edge in marketplace acceptance over self-declared products.
Europe isn't the only market to establish this type of regulation. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, for some product categories, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibit the marketing or sale of certain products - including medical and dental equipment, computers, microwave ovens, televisions, radios, transmitters, and radio-controlled devices - unless a manufacturer has proof of compliance, which can be best demonstrated through independent, third-party certification.
Because Canadian regulatory agencies traditionally consider compliance with FCC methods and procedures to indicate compliance with that country's EMC emission requirements, the International "emc-Mark" may also help you gain acceptance of your product in Canada.
Also, the Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) has established EMC emission requirements in Japan, and compliance, although it is not yet mandatory, is rapidly becoming the norm.
In addition, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) (link to: http://www.aca.gov.au/ ) has developed mandatory EMC emission standards for electrical and electronic products sold in Australia.
The International "emc-Mark" can help you meet these requirements. Products are evaluated for compliance with European Norm Standards, the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 47 (FCC) Part 15 or Part 18, the FDA Reviewer's Guidance for Pre-Market Notification, the VCCI of Japan, and various ACA regulations for Australia.
Don't let your electrical and electronic products be shut out of these markets. Prove compliance by obtaining the International "emc-Mark."
How does the evaluation work?
The manufacturer chooses one of the participating organizations for the International "emc-Mark" certification of a product. Each organization is wholly independent of the others, and establishes its own application procedures and prices for testing, issuing the International "emc-Mark" Certificate, and conducting surveillance testing.
The manufacturer specifies for which markets certification is needed. The manufacturer can specify one, two, three or all four market regions - Europe, Japan, the United States and Australia - included as part of the International "emc-Mark." The chosen product certification organization selected by the manufacturer then develops a compliance plan and a test program based on the markets selected, the product type and technical documentation.
After the product has been evaluated and determined to be in compliance with the applicable requirements, and all necessary documentation is completed, the manufacturer is provided an International "emc-Mark" Certificate valid for one year and can place the International "emc-Mark" on the product. The manufacturer also receives a comprehensive test report covering all necessary EMC requirements and updates of the certification with product changes, and has access to information regarding changing EMC standards and requirements.
Follow-up
When the product also receives traditional product safety certification, or when the manufacturing facility or facilities are registered to an ISO 9000 Series Standard by the chosen certification organization, a separate annual follow-up factory surveillance audit is not required.
Bearing a hologram that is easily identifiable to regulatory authorities, the International "emc-Mark" Certificate also contains the product model number and additional information describing the product and the standard(s) to which it was tested. The Certificate will be renewed annually upon expiration if the manufacturer continues to meet the applicable requirements and annual follow-up factory surveillance audit requirements.
The manufacturer may also choose to completely retest the product annually to determine continued compliance rather than undergo a factory surveillance audit.
Additional product safety certification
Manufacturers can save even more time and money by taking advantage of the additional product safety certification services available from any of the participating certification organizations. EMC and other product evaluations may be conducted consecutively or concurrently, often without the need for additional samples. Contact us for information about one-stop product certification.
The International "emc-Mark" is a registered trademark/certification mark jointly owned by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and TÜV Product Service GmbH. Certain Certification Bodies are Licensees of the International "emc-Mark" and can authorize the use of the International "emc-Mark" on products that comply with the applicable EMC requirements. Manufacturers are encouraged to utilize the Certification Body of their preference.
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