Frequently Asked Questions
CE stands for Conformité Européenne (French), or European Conformity in English. CE represents an effort by the European Union to harmonize product safety standards across member states. The CE mark indicates that a product meets EU safety, health, and environmental requirements and is required for most electronic products sold in the EU.
FCC certification is required for products containing intentional radiators — devices that deliberately emit radio frequency energy such as WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular radios — before they can be marketed in the United States. Certification is obtained by testing the product at an accredited laboratory and filing the results with a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB).
FCC Certification is required for intentional radiators (products with radios). A Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) is used for certain unintentional radiators such as computers and peripherals. With SDoC, the responsible party tests the product at an accredited laboratory and self-declares conformity — no filing with the FCC is required, but test records must be retained.
Pre-compliance testing is informal testing performed on prototype or pre-production units to identify potential emissions or immunity issues before formal certification testing. Pre-compliance testing is typically faster and less expensive than formal testing and allows manufacturers to identify and correct problems early, reducing the risk of failing formal certification.
Testing timelines vary depending on product complexity, test scope, and laboratory scheduling. Simple products with a single market can often be tested in one to two days. Products requiring testing to multiple standards for multiple markets may take several days of testing. Contact CTS for a schedule estimate for your specific product.
In many cases yes — with caveats. FCC and CISPR/EN test methods are similar but not identical. CTS can perform testing to both FCC and CISPR/EN methods in a single engagement, producing test reports suitable for both FCC authorization and CE marking. This approach reduces total testing cost and schedule compared to separate engagements.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), formerly known as Industry Canada (IC), is the Canadian regulatory body for radio equipment. Products sold in Canada must comply with ISED requirements. ISED requirements closely parallel FCC requirements and CTS typically performs combined US/Canada testing in a single engagement.
NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) safety certification is required for products used in US workplaces under OSHA jurisdiction. If your product is intended for commercial or industrial use, NRTL certification is effectively mandatory. Consumer products may not require NRTL certification but many retailers and buyers require it regardless.
To provide an accurate quote CTS needs a description of the product, the intended markets (US, EU, Canada, etc.), the product's intended use environment (residential, commercial, industrial), whether the product contains a radio transmitter, and the approximate timeline. Contact us through the form on our contact page and we will respond within one business day.