Conformity Magazine - April 2008 - (Page 54)

• Protective symbols and their interpretation • Operator access to mechanically or electrically dangerous areas of the equipment • Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization (medical) • Protective earthing practices • Warnings about hazardous gases • Battery Replacement • Use of accessories The certification report and application cannot be finalized until all required documents are provided. How long will it take? We’ve implied that the approval experience can vary from quick and painless to involved and long-term, depending on Type of Approval EMI – unintentional radiator Process Notes Short. Emissions test and report. Troubleshoot as needed. Short to moderate. More detailed standards, often formal report to TCB (US) or to foreign radio authority. Primarily driven by EU EMC Directive. Tests in multiple areas. Report straight forward the product and type of approval sought. Also, we’ve noted that the technical and documentation support required will vary considerably depending on what type of product you have. In Table 1, we’ve given rough descriptions of the process and the level of technical and documentation support required for several common types of equipment approvals. We’ve focused on the work at the laboratory, including testing and report preparation. Note that when a third party is involved in certification, an additional and variable waiting period will be involved while your report and application are reviewed. A key part to a successful compliance experience is preparation. If you can support the laboratory so it can work at maximum efficiency, the process will flow smoothly and according to your expectations. FAST Link www.conformity.com/1670 Technical Product Support Minimal to modest. Product must function, be adequately cabled, have needed peripherals Modest. Depending on type of transmitter, special data configuration, or forcing of operating mode may be necessary. Moderate operational support. Cabling, peripherals, software to verify performance meets manufacturers specifications under test application. Moderate, and product dependent. Since equipment must operate in lab test bed, customization of test software may be necessary. Modest on operational side. May need manufacturing support to find info on construction materials such as plastics. High. Multiple tests require frequent setup/breakdown. Specialized data testsets, customized software often needed to demonstrate levels of performance. Multiple product samples needed for GR-63 and for optical FOC tests. Engineering support needed in case of test failures. Documentation Minimal. For FCC, some instructions to user on interference. Minimal to modest. EMI – intentional radiator EMC – Immunity Minimal. May need schematics to aid if diagnostics and modifications are required. Telecom Test; formal report to third party approval agency. Length of test depends on type of equipment (e.g., many modes in newer XDSL units; multiple interface types lengthen test) Construction/Design investigation, followed by testing and detailed report. Subsequent review (may be by same or different organization) and listing Long series of tests, followed by very detailed formal report. For environmental (GR-63) videos of destructive tests (fire, earthquake) are included in report. For FOC (passive fiber optic components) environmental and reliability tests take months. Modest. Interface schematics. In US and Canada, particular regulatory language must be inserted. Product Safety Fairly high. Partial schematics, parts lists, manuals. Critical component approvals and conditions of use important. Moderate to high. Important to fully document system tested (plug-ins, serial numbers, firmware/software revision levels). For reliability based GR- standards, manufacturer has to supply manufacturing and quality information. Bellcore (GR-1089, GR-63, and Electro-optical FOC) Table 1 5 Conformity April 2008 http://www.conformity.com/1670

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Conformity Magazine - April 2008 NewsBreaks Editor’s Note Mandatory Analog Cellular Service Ends FCC Releases Quarterly Reports on Consumer Inquiries and Complaints New Standards List Released for The EU’s Low Voltage Directive FDA Issues Notification on Unretrieved Device Fragments FDA Offers Guidance on Waivers for In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices ESD Open Forum Emerging Issues in Standards Challenges in Testing Design Fundamentals Focus on... New Products Product Reviews Premarket Approval Application Guidance Issued by FDA New Jersey Enacts Electronic Waste Recycling Regulations A New U.S. Standard for Workstation and Computer Design Might the CPSC Hold Retailers Accountable for Safe Products? CPSC Loses “Sole Toy Tester” CPSC Actions in the News IEC Standards Update UL Standards Update Telcordia Standards Update From Our “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up” Department Looking Back: Items from Past Issues of Conformity Advertisers

Conformity Magazine - April 2008

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