Glossary of electronics certification terms
Reference A-Z
Fifty-five terms and acronyms from electronics certification, CE, FCC, RED and PTCRB, with concise definitions, practical context, and links to the site's pillar pages.
ACLR, Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio. Ratio between the power transmitted in the intended channel and the power that leaks into the adjacent channel, expressed in dB. A high ACLR (typically 33 dB or more for LTE user equipment, 45 dB for base stations under 3GPP TS 36.101) means the transmitter is "clean" and does not disturb neighbouring operators.
ACLR is measured during conducted RF tests on cellular modules (LTE, NR) and is one of the structuring criteria for PTCRB and GCF approval. A module that fails ACLR by 1 dB will be rejected even if every other metric is nominal, operators reuse spectrum at very close ranges and cannot tolerate spillover. See PTCRB tests and the RF transmitter chapter of 3GPP TS 36.521-1.
AFC, Automated Frequency Coordination. FCC framework introduced in 2023 to authorise standard-power Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands (5945-6425 and 6525-6875 MHz). An AFC device queries a certified geolocation database before transmitting and obtains the list of channels it can use without interfering with fixed incumbent links.
AFC replaces the static channel plan of historical Wi-Fi: power and bandwidth depend on geographical position and the time of day. The EU is preparing an equivalent mechanism for the 6 GHz upper band. See FCC standards and FCC 47 CFR §15.407 for the technical rules.
AFH, Adaptive Frequency Hopping. Mechanism specific to Bluetooth (Classic and BLE) that dynamically excludes channels affected by interference from the hop list. AFH allows Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to coexist in the same 2.4 GHz band without continuous mutual blocking.
AFH is mandatory under EN 300 328 for FHSS equipment and ensures the spectrum-efficient use required by Article 3.2 of the RED. During RED tests, AFH is verified by injecting a CW interferer and checking that the device under test removes the affected channels from its hop sequence within the time limits specified by the standard. See RED standards.
ANSI, American National Standards Institute. Private non-profit body that coordinates the U.S. standardisation system. ANSI does not write standards itself; it accredits Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) such as IEEE, ASTM or UL and represents the United States at ISO and IEC.
ANSI standards (e.g. ANSI C63.4, ANSI C63.10) underlie much of FCC equipment authorisation: ANSI C63.4 is the reference test method for unintentional radiators under Part 15 Subpart B, and ANSI C63.10 covers intentional radiators. They play a role equivalent to harmonised EN standards in the EU. See FCC standards.
A-GPS / A-GNSS
Section titled “A-GPS / A-GNSS”A-GPS / A-GNSS, Assisted GPS / Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System. Technique where the cellular network supplies ephemeris, almanac and approximate position data to the device so it can lock onto satellites in seconds rather than minutes.
A-GNSS is critical for emergency services (E911 in the US, eCall in the EU) where Time-To-First-Fix must remain below a few tens of seconds even indoors. PTCRB certification includes A-GNSS performance tests against 3GPP TS 37.571. The control plane uses the SUPL or LPP protocols depending on the LTE/NR release. See PTCRB procedure.
APC, Adaptive Power Control. RED requirement that obliges a radio device to transmit at the minimum power needed to maintain link quality. APC reduces overall interference and extends battery life.
For Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, APC is mandatory above certain EIRP thresholds in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under EN 300 328 and EN 301 893. Testing verifies that the device actually lowers its power when the receiver reports a strong signal, with a measurement range of at least 6 dB. APC is to be distinguished from TPC (Transmit Power Control), which carries the same idea on the cellular side. See RED tests.
ATEX, Atmosphères Explosibles, Directive 2014/34/EU. Governs equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres (gas, dust) in the European Union. ATEX is independent of CE marking under LVD/EMC/RED but is cumulative with them: an intrinsically safe Bluetooth sensor for refinery use must satisfy RED + ATEX.
ATEX is structured in zones (0/1/2 for gas, 20/21/22 for dust) and equipment categories (M1, M2, 1, 2, 3). Conformity assessment involves a Notified Body for categories M1, M2, 1, and equipment of category 2 with electrical ignition source. Reference standards are the IEC 60079 series. ATEX is outside spilma's scope but is mentioned here because it is often confused with RED for industrial equipment. See CE scope.
BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy. Variant of the Bluetooth standard introduced with version 4.0 (2010), optimised for battery operation. BLE shares the 2.4 GHz ISM band with Bluetooth Classic but uses a different physical layer (40 channels of 2 MHz instead of 79 of 1 MHz) and a stack based on GATT/ATT.
BLE is the dominant technology for IoT sensors, wearables and beacons. From the certification side, BLE devices fall under the RED in the EU (EN 300 328 and EN 301 489-17) and under FCC Part 15 Subpart C in the United States. The Bluetooth SIG also requires Bluetooth Qualification before the trademark can be used. See RED standards and FCC standards.
Blue Guide
Section titled “Blue Guide”Blue Guide, European Commission Blue Guide on the implementation of EU product rules. Reference document published by the Commission (last major update 2022) that explains how the New Legislative Framework (NLF) directives are applied: roles of the economic operators (manufacturer, authorised representative, importer, distributor), CE marking, declaration of conformity, Notified Bodies, market surveillance.
The Blue Guide has no legal force itself but is the authoritative interpretation when a directive is silent. It clarifies, for example, what "placing on the market" means, what an importer's obligations are for a non-EU brand, or how to reuse partial tests from a supplier. Essential reading before a first CE marking. See CE scope.
CE marking
Section titled “CE marking”CE marking, Conformité Européenne. Mark affixed by the manufacturer (not awarded by a third party) declaring that a product meets all applicable European directives and regulations. The CE marking is mandatory for products covered by NLF directives placed on the EU/EEA market.
CE marking is self-declaration in the vast majority of cases, radio, EMC, LVD, machinery, toys, etc. A Notified Body intervenes only for higher-risk products (medical devices class IIa+, lifts, pressure equipment) or when the manufacturer voluntarily chooses module B. CE is not a quality label and not a US/Asian "import authorisation". See the CE pillar and CE procedure.
CISPR, Comité International Spécial des Perturbations Radioélectriques. Special committee of the IEC that drafts international standards on EMC emissions. CISPR was founded in 1934 and groups national EMC laboratories and industrial federations.
CISPR standards (CISPR 11, 14, 15, 22, 32, 35...) are republished as EN standards by CENELEC, with possible European amendments (the A11 series). CISPR 32 on multimedia emissions is republished as EN 55032, the reference for EMC of audio, video and IT equipment. See CE standards.
COFRAC
Section titled “COFRAC”COFRAC, Comité Français d'Accréditation. National French accreditation body, member of the European Accreditation (EA) network. COFRAC accredits test laboratories, calibration laboratories and certification bodies against ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17065.
In practical terms: a COFRAC-accredited EMC laboratory is recognised throughout the EU under the EA-MLA mutual agreement, then in countries that signed the ILAC arrangement (United States, Japan, Canada, etc.). Choosing a COFRAC-accredited laboratory for CE/RED tests secures the international recognition of the report. See CE procedure.
CTIA, Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. American industry association that runs the Certification Program for cellular and Wi-Fi devices on US operator networks (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile). CTIA publishes test plans (OTA RF performance, battery life, Wi-Fi performance) that operators reuse in their device requirements.
The CTIA "OTA Test Plan" is the de facto reference for measuring TRP and TIS of cellular devices, even outside the United States, operators worldwide cite it. CTIA certification overlaps with PTCRB (run by the same association) but covers different aspects: PTCRB targets 3GPP RF conformance, CTIA covers performance and operator-level requirements. See PTCRB pillar.
DFS, Dynamic Frequency Selection. Mechanism that obliges Wi-Fi devices in the 5 GHz band (specifically sub-bands 5250-5350 and 5470-5725 MHz) to detect weather and aviation radars and to vacate the channel within a defined time (typically 10 seconds detection + 60 seconds non-occupancy).
DFS is mandatory under EN 301 893 in the EU and under FCC 47 CFR §15.407 in the US. Testing involves injecting reference radar pulse patterns (DFS waveforms) and verifying the channel change. DFS is one of the longest and most failure-prone tests in RED radio test campaigns. See RED tests.
DoC, EU Declaration of Conformity. Single document signed by the manufacturer in which it declares that the product meets all applicable directives. The DoC is the legally enforceable document that accompanies CE marking, losing or omitting it equates to the absence of CE.
Mandatory content (Annex IV of the RED, Annex IV of the EMC Directive): identification of the product, name of the manufacturer, list of applied directives, list of applied harmonised standards with exact references (year + amendments), date and signature. The DoC must remain available for ten years after the last unit is placed on the market. See the CE technical file for templates.
DSSS, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum. Spread spectrum technique used by 802.11b Wi-Fi (and previously by GPS L1 C/A): the data signal is multiplied by a higher-rate pseudo-random sequence (chip rate), spreading the spectrum and improving robustness against narrowband interference.
DSSS is one of the modulation modes recognised by EN 300 328 in the 2.4 GHz band, separate from FHSS, with its own emission limits and a maximum EIRP of 100 mW. DSSS is becoming rare in Wi-Fi (replaced by OFDM since 802.11g/n/ac) but still serves in some industrial protocols (ZigBee/802.15.4, Z-Wave). See RED standards.
EAS, Equipment Authorization System. FCC public database (eas.fcc.gov, replacing the historical OET database) that lists every device certified under Part 15, Part 22, Part 24, Part 27, etc. Each entry contains the FCC ID, the manufacturer, the test reports, the photographs and the user manual.
EAS is the FCC counterpart of "type certification": searching for an FCC ID gives access to the exact equipment configuration certified, the bands, the maximum power and the test report. It is also the source for confirming whether an integrator's modular approval applies to a given Wi-Fi or cellular module. See FCC procedure.
eCall: European emergency call system mandatory in all new M1 and N1 vehicles approved since 31 March 2018 (Regulation (EU) 2015/758). After a major collision detected by the airbag sensors, eCall automatically dials 112 and transmits a Minimum Set of Data (MSD): geolocation, vehicle identification, direction of travel, occupant count.
eCall combines a GNSS receiver and a 2G/4G cellular modem and falls under RED + automotive type approval (ECE R10). Tests include 112-eCall transmission and reception with synthetic crash scenarios. The In-Vehicle System (IVS) is now migrating to 4G (NG eCall, EN 17240) as 2G/3G networks are switched off. See RED scope.
EFT, Electrical Fast Transient, also called Burst. EMC immunity test specified in EN 61000-4-4. Reproduces the fast pulse bursts caused by relay or contactor switching: groups of 75 pulses at 5 or 100 kHz, with amplitudes from 0.5 to 4 kV applied capacitively to power and signal lines.
The EFT is one of the most stringent immunity tests because it directly couples to PCB tracks via capacitive crosstalk. Critical countermeasures include CM/DM filtering at the connectors, gas discharge or TVS protection, and clean ground separation. Required by EN 55035 and EN 61000-6-1 series. See CE tests.
EIRP, Effective Isotropic Radiated Power. Power that an isotropic antenna (radiating equally in all directions) would have to emit to produce the same field strength as the device under test in the direction of maximum gain. EIRP = Pconducted + Gantenna − Lcable (in dBm and dBi).
EIRP is the regulatory unit for radio in the EU and the US: 20 dBm EIRP in 2.4 GHz (EU), 23 dBm in 5150-5250 MHz, 30 dBm in 5470-5725 MHz, 36 dBm in WBAN 2.4 GHz under FCC. Measured via spectrum analyser + calibrated antenna in an anechoic chamber. See RED standards and EN 300 328.
EMC, Electromagnetic Compatibility. Discipline that ensures equipment does not generate excessive electromagnetic disturbances (emissions) and tolerates the disturbances present in its environment (immunity). EMC is covered in the EU by Directive 2014/30/EU.
EMC tests split into two families: emissions (radiated 30 MHz - 1 GHz on a 10 m or 3 m site, conducted 150 kHz - 30 MHz with LISN) and immunity (ESD, EFT, surge, RF radiated, RF conducted, magnetic, dips). Each product family has a dedicated harmonised standard (EN 55032, EN 55014-1, EN 55011...). See CE tests.
ESD, Electrostatic Discharge. Sudden transfer of static charge between two bodies of different potentials. EMC immunity test under EN 61000-4-2: ±2 / ±4 / ±6 / ±8 kV contact discharge, ±2 / ±4 / ±8 / ±15 kV air discharge, applied to all accessible surfaces and connectors.
ESD is the most discriminating immunity test for consumer products: a poorly designed plastic enclosure, an exposed USB connector or insufficient mass return systematically lead to system crash or product reset. Recommended countermeasures: ESD diode arrays at connectors, ground planes, and creepage/clearance distances. Required by EN 55035, EN 61000-6-1 and the IEC 61000-6-x series. See CE tests.
eSIM, Embedded Subscriber Identity Module. Programmable SIM card directly soldered to the device PCB, conforming to GSMA standards SGP.02 (M2M) and SGP.22 (consumer). The eSIM allows operator change Over-The-Air without physically replacing the card.
eSIM imposes specific certification: GSMA SGP.24 / SGP.25 (Subscription Manager) and full PTCRB on the host module. eUICC profiles must be GSMA-certified and downloaded via SM-DP+ servers approved by SAS-SM. Cellular IoT manufacturers must arbitrate between integrated eSIM (industrial life, lower BOM) and removable SIM (operator flexibility). See PTCRB scope.
ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute. ESO (European Standards Organisation) based in Sophia Antipolis, France, founded in 1988. ETSI drafts radio and telecommunications standards on Commission mandate (RED) but also publishes private technical specifications (TS), industry reports (TR) and group specifications (GS).
ETSI standards carry the "EN 3xx xxx" prefix when harmonised (e.g. EN 300 328, EN 301 489). ETSI also produces 3GPP standards re-published as TS XXX-XXX series. Standards are versioned Vx.y.z with publication date in parentheses, a notation that must appear exactly in the DoC. See CE standards.
EUT, Equipment Under Test. The device, the system or the assembly being tested. The terminology comes from EMC and radio testing standards (CISPR, ETSI, 3GPP) and recurs in all test reports.
The EUT must be configured in typical operation: maximum power for emissions, worst-case modulation for spectrum tests, all interfaces active. The configuration of the EUT is documented in the test plan and reproduced identically by the laboratory. A change in EUT (firmware, peripherals, position of the antenna) generally invalidates the previous report and triggers a delta retest. See CE technical file.
FCC ID
Section titled “FCC ID”FCC ID: Unique identifier assigned by the FCC to every radio device certified under Part 15C, Part 22, Part 24, etc. The FCC ID is structured as GranteeCode + ProductCode (e.g. BCG-E3091A for an iPhone). The Grantee Code (3 to 5 characters) is assigned to the manufacturer, the Product Code is freely chosen.
The FCC ID must appear visibly on the product or on its electronic label (e-label, allowed since the FCC Modernization Order of 2017). Searching for an FCC ID on eas.fcc.gov returns the full file: test report, photographs, internal block diagram, antenna data sheet. A Bluetooth or cellular module embedded under modular approval keeps its own FCC ID; the host need not redo the test. See FCC procedure.
FHSS, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. Spread spectrum technique where the transmitter rapidly changes carrier frequency on a pseudo-random sequence shared with the receiver. Bluetooth Classic (1600 hops/s on 79 channels of 1 MHz) and Bluetooth LE (with AFH) are FHSS systems.
Under EN 300 328, FHSS systems benefit from a separate set of rules to DSSS/OFDM: minimum hop length, dwell time, channel spacing. The same applies under FCC Part 15.247. The FHSS rules historically allow more EIRP than DSSS in some bands, but the gap has narrowed since 2017 in 2.4 GHz. See RED standards.
GCF, Global Certification Forum. International certification scheme for cellular devices (LTE, NR, IoT NB-IoT/LTE-M), created in 1999 by mobile operators and manufacturers. GCF certifies devices against 3GPP specifications and against operator-specific test cases.
GCF largely overlaps with PTCRB (same 3GPP scope) but has a broader operator base (Europe, Asia, parts of Latin America) where PTCRB focuses on the United States. Many manufacturers do both certifications in parallel; tests are mutualised and the lead time is split. GCF Field Trials extend testing to real network conditions. See PTCRB pillar and PTCRB standards.
GSMA, GSM Association. Industry association representing more than 750 mobile operators and around 400 ecosystem partners. GSMA publishes major specifications around the SIM (eUICC SGP.02/22), security (SAS), IoT (IoT SAFE), Rich Communications Services (RCS) and operator interoperability.
GSMA does not certify devices directly but its specifications underlie many other schemes: eSIM falls under SGP.24 / SGP.25, the SM-DP+ servers must hold SAS-SM, network testing relies on TS.34. The IMEI Type Allocation Code (TAC) is administered by GSMA. See PTCRB pillar.
Harmonised standard
Section titled “Harmonised standard”Harmonised standard: Technical standard drafted by CEN, CENELEC or ETSI on European Commission mandate, whose reference is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU, C series). Applying a harmonised standard correctly grants the manufacturer a presumption of conformity to the essential requirements of the corresponding directive.
A harmonised standard is never mandatory, the manufacturer may always prove conformity by other means, but losing presumption shifts the burden of proof to the manufacturer in the event of audit. The harmonised version is identified by its OJEU publication, not just by the EN reference: the same EN may exist outside the OJEU and not grant presumption. See CE standards.
ICNIRP
Section titled “ICNIRP”ICNIRP, International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. International non-governmental scientific commission that issues general public and worker exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields from 0 Hz to 300 GHz. ICNIRP 1998 (general guidelines) and ICNIRP 2020 (RF 100 kHz - 300 GHz) are the references.
The EU has transposed the ICNIRP limits into Recommendation 1999/519/EC (general public) and Directive 2013/35/EU (workers). ICNIRP limits are the basis for the SAR and MPE tests required by RED (Article 3.1(a)) and FCC 47 CFR §1.1310. They underlie the protection requirements verified by EN 62311 and EN 50360. See RED standards.
IEC, International Electrotechnical Commission. International organisation founded in 1906, based in Geneva, that drafts standards for everything electrical, electronic and related technologies. IEC publishes around 10,000 standards and is structured into Technical Committees (TC, SC).
IEC standards are reused as EN by CENELEC (with possible European amendments) and as ANSI by the United States. IEC 62368-1 on AV/IT safety, IEC 61010-1 on measuring equipment safety and the IEC 60601 series on medical devices are pillars of CE marking. IEC also runs the IECEE / CB Scheme that mutualises safety reports between member countries. See CE standards.
ILAC, International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation. International organisation that coordinates national laboratory accreditation bodies (COFRAC for France, UKAS for the United Kingdom, A2LA for the United States, JAB for Japan...) and signs Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA).
In practical terms: an ILAC-MRA accredited test report under ISO/IEC 17025 is mutually recognised by every signatory country, which avoids redoing the test in the destination market. Critical for export, a CE test campaign in a COFRAC-accredited lab is recognised by US authorities and Asian regulators with significant savings. See CE procedure.
IMEI, International Mobile Equipment Identity. Unique 15-digit identifier (16 with check digit) assigned to every cellular device (GSM, UMTS, LTE, NR). Structure: TAC (8 digits) + SNR (6 digits) + CD (1 digit). The TAC (Type Allocation Code) is allocated by GSMA and identifies the model.
The IMEI must be displayable by the user (dialling *#06#), permanently affixed to the device or e-labelled, and traceable in the manufacturer's database. Operators use IMEI to blacklist stolen devices via the CEIR registry. The IMEISV (16 digits) adds software version information. Obtaining a TAC is a mandatory step before PTCRB submission. See PTCRB procedure.
IMS, IP Multimedia Subsystem. 3GPP architecture (TS 23.228) introduced in Release 5 that supports voice, video and messaging services over IP. IMS is the technical foundation of VoLTE (Voice over LTE), VoWi-Fi and VoNR (Voice over NR).
A modern cellular device must implement an IMS client to make voice calls on a 4G or 5G network, historical 2G/3G circuit-switched voice is going away as networks shut down. PTCRB tests IMS conformance against 3GPP TS 34.229 and operator-specific test cases (AT&T NID, Verizon OAT). See PTCRB tests.
IoT, Internet of Things. Generic term covering devices connected to the internet beyond traditional computers and phones: sensors, actuators, gateways, wearables, industrial equipment. The IoT is not a specific technology but an architectural family combining radio (BLE, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-M), cloud, embedded software and security.
From the certification side, IoT does not have a "dedicated" directive, it falls under the existing rules: RED for radio, EMC, LVD if mains-powered, cybersecurity since 1 August 2025 under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 (Articles 3.3(d)(e)(f) of the RED). The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) extends the requirements to all "products with digital elements" from 2027. See RED scope.
ISM bands
Section titled “ISM bands”ISM bands, Industrial, Scientific and Medical. Frequency bands historically reserved for industrial, scientific and medical applications generating intentional or unintentional radio emissions. ITU-R standardised the ISM bands at the international level: 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz (NFC, RFID), 27.12 MHz, 40.68 MHz, 433 MHz (Europe), 915 MHz (Americas), 2.45 GHz (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microwave), 5.8 GHz, 24 GHz.
ISM bands are "licence-free" for general use: a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device can transmit without operator permit, provided it respects EIRP limits and rules (LBT, AFH, duty cycle). Equipment used outside ISM bands (e.g. SRD 868 MHz in Europe) is regulated separately. See RED standards.
ISO/IEC 17025
Section titled “ISO/IEC 17025”ISO/IEC 17025: International standard "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories". The certification standard for test laboratories worldwide. A 17025-accredited laboratory has its competence audited every 18 to 24 months by a national accreditation body (COFRAC, UKAS, A2LA...).
For CE, RED, FCC and PTCRB, using a 17025-accredited laboratory is de facto mandatory: PTCRB and FCC require it explicitly; CE/RED do not require it formally but the absence of accreditation drastically weakens the report's value in a market surveillance audit. The accreditation scope of the laboratory (specific tests and standards) must be checked before signing. See CE procedure.
KDB, Knowledge Database. FCC publication system (apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb) where the Office of Engineering and Technology issues clarifications, additional procedures and interpretations of the rules. Each KDB Publication is identified by a 6-digit number (e.g. 996369 for E-label, 447498 for general SAR).
KDBs are not regulations strictly speaking but TCBs and labs apply them as if they were: a KDB published on a specific point (modular approval procedure, SAR for tablets, EIRP measurement methodology in 6 GHz) becomes the operational reference. Monitoring relevant KDB updates is part of regulatory watch for any FCC project. See FCC standards.
LBT, Listen Before Talk. Coexistence mechanism imposed by EN 300 328 (2.4 GHz) and EN 301 893 (5 GHz Wi-Fi): the transmitter must listen to the channel and ensure it is free (energy below a threshold of -73 dBm in 5 GHz over a 20 MHz channel) for a minimum time (typically 18 µs + random backoff) before transmitting.
LBT applies to wideband digital systems (Wi-Fi, recent BLE). It replaces or supplements duty cycle for narrowband SRD on EN 300 220 in the 868 MHz band. Testing under EN 300 328 verifies that the device under test actually delays its transmission when a synthetic signal is injected at -73 dBm. See RED tests.
LISN, Line Impedance Stabilization Network. EMC tool that presents a controlled 50 Ω impedance between the EUT mains cable and the spectrum analyser, while filtering the mains supply (50 Hz) from the conducted measurement (150 kHz - 30 MHz). Defined by CISPR 16-1-2.
Two LISNs are placed on phase and neutral (or all conductors of a 3-phase line) of the device. The conducted emissions test reads the voltage at the measurement port and compares it to the limits of the applicable standard (CISPR 32 Class A or B for example). Without a LISN, the measurement of conducted emissions has no reproducible reference. See CE tests.
LVD, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. Covers electrical equipment operating between 50 V and 1000 V AC, or 75 V and 1500 V DC. The LVD imposes essential safety requirements: electrical insulation, protection against electric shock, abnormal heating, fire, mechanical and chemical hazards.
LVD is one of the three core CE directives for electronics (with EMC and RED). It is self-declaration without Notified Body. The applicable harmonised standards are EN 62368-1 (audio/video/IT), EN 61010-1 (measurement equipment), EN 60335-1 (household appliances), EN 60601-1 (medical electrical devices). A product powered exclusively below 50 V AC / 75 V DC (e.g. a USB sensor) is outside the LVD scope but its mains adapter falls within. See CE scope.
Modules A through H
Section titled “Modules A through H”Modules A through H: Conformity assessment modules defined in Decision 768/2008/EC, the legal toolbox the EU directives draw from. Each directive lists the modules applicable to its products and the manufacturer chooses among them.
- Module A: Internal production control (self-declaration). Most common for CE EMC/RED/LVD.
- Module B: EU-type examination by a Notified Body. Often combined with C, D, E or F.
- Module C: Conformity to type based on internal production control.
- Module D: Conformity to type based on QA of the production process.
- Module E: Conformity to type based on product QA.
- Module F: Conformity to type based on product verification.
- Module G: Conformity based on unit verification (rare, one-off products).
- Module H: Full QA system.
RED for example allows modules A, B+C, H. See CE procedure.
MPE, Maximum Permissible Exposure. FCC counterpart of European SAR for "far-field" exposures, i.e. devices radiating at a distance > 20 cm from the body. Expressed in mW/cm² of incident power flux density and in V/m of electric field. Limits defined in 47 CFR §1.1310.
For a Wi-Fi access point on a ceiling or a base station, the FCC accepts an MPE calculation from EIRP and distance instead of a SAR measurement. For tablets and phones carried close to the body, SAR remains mandatory. The European equivalent for far-field is EN 62311 on EMF exposure up to 300 GHz. See FCC standards.
MRA, Mutual Recognition Agreement. International agreement between two regulators (or accreditation bodies) under which test reports and conformity assessment certificates issued in one country are recognised by the other. The EU has MRAs with the United States (1998), Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Israel.
The EU-US MRA specifically allows a Notified Body to certify telecom equipment for the US market (and an FCC TCB to certify for the EU market for the telecom annex). On test reports, the ILAC-MRA between accreditation bodies plays an equivalent role for ISO/IEC 17025 reports. MRAs are the lever for reducing dual EU/US certification costs. See EU-US dual certification.
NB, Notified Body. Independent body designated by a Member State and notified to the European Commission to carry out conformity assessment tasks under a New Approach directive. NBs hold a unique four-digit number (e.g. LCIE 0081, TÜV Süd 0123).
The NB is mandatory for higher-risk products (medical devices class IIa+, lifts, pressure equipment), or when the manufacturer chooses module B (EU-type examination). For RED and EMC, NB use is voluntary, the manufacturer may resort to it to consolidate its dossier on an emerging product. The list of notified bodies per directive is on the NANDO database. See CE procedure.
NFC, Near Field Communication. Inductive communication technology in the 13.56 MHz ISM band, with a typical range of less than 10 cm. NFC is standardised by ISO/IEC 14443 (proximity cards) and ISO/IEC 18092 (NFCIP-1). Dominant applications: contactless payment, transport, identification, BLE pairing.
NFC equipment is regulated as SRD: EN 303 098 in the EU (and the broader EN 300 330 for inductive systems 9 kHz - 30 MHz) and FCC Part 15 Subpart C in the US. Antenna emissions are measured in magnetic field (dBµA/m) and not in electric field, this is the major difference compared with VHF/UHF radio testing. See RED standards.
OTA, Over-The-Air. Has two distinct meanings in certification. (1) OTA testing: RF performance measurement of an integrated antenna device (phone, IoT sensor) in an anechoic chamber, by 3D rotation, to obtain Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS). Defined by CTIA Test Plan and 3GPP TS 34.114.
(2) OTA update: software or firmware update transmitted by radio rather than wired. From the certification side, OTA updates raise the question of substantial change: a major firmware that changes the bands, the maximum power or the modulation can invalidate the existing FCC/RED certification and require a Class II Permissive Change (FCC) or a delta DoC (EU). See PTCRB tests.
PTCRB, PCS Type Certification Review Board. Certification scheme run by CTIA for cellular devices on US operators' networks (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, US Cellular). PTCRB tests against 3GPP specifications (TS 36.521, TS 38.521, TS 36.523-1) and against operator-specific test plans.
PTCRB is the historical North American "type approval" gate for 2G/3G/4G/5G devices. It does not replace the FCC ID, both are required. A device that integrates a PTCRB-certified module under modular approval can inherit the certification, with restrictions (Critical Components List). PTCRB is closely articulated with GCF, OmniAir (V2X) and CTIA. See PTCRB pillar and PTCRB procedure.
RED, Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. Replaced the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC on 13 June 2017. Covers any radio equipment intentionally emitting or receiving radio waves in the EU. RED defines three essential articles: 3.1(a) health/safety, 3.1(b) radio EMC, 3.2 efficient use of spectrum, 3.3 specific requirements (charger, cybersecurity, location for emergency calls...).
Cybersecurity Article 3.3(d)(e)(f) became mandatory on 1 August 2025 for all radio devices connected to the internet, with harmonised standards EN 18031-1, EN 18031-2 and EN 18031-3. RED is self-declaration without Notified Body in the vast majority of cases. See the RED pillar.
RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous Substances, Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) and its amendment 2015/863 (RoHS 3). Restricts the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE, four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
Maximum tolerated concentration: 0.1 % by weight in homogeneous material (0.01 % for cadmium). Conformity is demonstrated by IEC 63000 (documentary methodology, supplier declarations) and/or analytical testing under EN 62321. RoHS is part of the directives covered by CE marking, its absence invalidates the CE. See CE scope.
RRM, Radio Resource Management. Family of tests within 3GPP that verifies the device's ability to manage cellular resources: cell selection and reselection, handover between cells, signal measurement, power adjustment, idle/connected mode transitions. Defined by 3GPP TS 36.521-3 (LTE) and 3GPP TS 38.521-4 (NR).
RRM tests are the longest in a PTCRB campaign (often 4 to 6 weeks of laboratory time) because they require simulating dozens of network scenarios with a Network Emulator. Several hundred test cases must pass, a single major RRM failure can block PTCRB approval and operator NID. See PTCRB tests.
SAR, Specific Absorption Rate. Quantity of radio-frequency energy absorbed per unit mass of biological tissue, expressed in W/kg. Measured in an anthropomorphic phantom (head SAM, body) filled with a liquid simulating dielectric tissue properties. Reference standards: EN 50360 (head), EN 50566 (body), EN 62209-2 (devices ≤ 100 g).
European limits: 2 W/kg averaged over 10 g of tissue for head/torso, 4 W/kg over 10 g for limbs. FCC limits: 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 g for head/torso. Mandatory test for any transmitter used within 20 cm of the body (phones, tablets, wearables). The 3 to 5 mm distance between phone and body declared by the manufacturer affects the test result. See RED standards and FCC 47 CFR §2.1093.
SDoC, Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. FCC procedure introduced in 2017 (FCC 17-93) that replaced the historical "Declaration of Conformity (DoC) + Verification" pair. SDoC applies to unintentional radiators under Part 15 Subpart B (digital devices class A/B): the manufacturer self-declares conformity, without prior submission to the FCC.
Requirements: test against ANSI C63.4, labelling with manufacturer name and address, conformity statement on user manual, test reports kept for 10 years. SDoC does not apply to intentional radiators (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular), which still require an FCC ID under Part 15 Subpart C and beyond. See FCC procedure.
SDR, Software-Defined Radio. Radio whose physical layer (modulation, filtering, channelisation) is implemented in software running on a generic baseband processor or FPGA, rather than dedicated hardware. The SDR allows changing standard (LTE → NR, 433 → 868 MHz) by simple firmware update.
The SDR introduces a delicate question for certification: a firmware that changes bands, modulation or maximum power constitutes a Class III Permissive Change under FCC and a substantial RED modification, requiring partial or full recertification. The FCC distinguishes "controlled" SDRs (mechanism to block unauthorised firmware) from "open" SDRs, with stricter rules for the latter under KDB 442812. See FCC standards.
TAC, Type Allocation Code. First 8 digits of the IMEI, identifying the device model. The TAC is assigned by GSMA via the official "TAC Allocation" portal, against a fee and after submitting the technical file (specifications, test results, PTCRB/GCF status).
A new TAC is mandatory for any cellular device intended for commercial deployment. Without a TAC, operators block the IMEI. TAC allocation usually conditions PTCRB submission, the GSMA TAC application form even cross-references the PTCRB ID. Migrating a product to a new module (chipset change, major firmware) implies a new TAC. See PTCRB procedure.
TCB, Telecommunication Certification Body. Independent body accredited by the FCC to issue Equipment Authorization grants for intentional radiators. Since 2014, the FCC has no longer issued certifications directly, the entire process goes through TCBs. There are about thirty TCBs worldwide (Element, Bay Area Compliance, UL Verification Services, Nemko, TÜV Süd...).
The TCB checks the test report, the technical file, the photographs and the labelling, then issues the FCC ID. Some sensitive cases (SDR, very high power, very high frequency) are reserved for the FCC OET and excluded from TCB scope (KDB 388624 lists exclusions). The TCB is the EU-Notified-Body equivalent for FCC RF certification. See FCC procedure.
TPC, Transmit Power Control. Mechanism that allows a transmitter to dynamically adjust its emission power to the minimum needed for the link. TPC is mandatory in 5 GHz under EN 301 893 in the sub-bands where DFS applies, and in LTE/NR under 3GPP TS 36.213 / 38.213.
TPC requires a minimum dynamic range of typically 6 dB (TPC ≥ 6 dB in 5 GHz Wi-Fi) and verification under EN 301 893 that the device responds correctly to network commands. In cellular, the BTS sends TPC commands every TTI (transmission time interval) to manage interference between adjacent cells. TPC is the cellular cousin of APC for Wi-Fi/BLE. See RED standards.
TRP, Total Radiated Power. Total radiated power by the device measured by 3D rotation in anechoic chamber. TRP integrates the radiation pattern across all directions, in contrast to EIRP which only considers the maximum direction. Defined by CTIA Test Plan and 3GPP TS 34.114.
TRP is the reference metric to characterise over-the-air performance of an integrated antenna: a device with a high TRP radiates effectively, regardless of orientation. PTCRB and CTIA define minimum TRP thresholds per band (e.g. ≥ 16 dBm for LTE band 13). A high TRP correlates with cell range and battery life. See PTCRB standards.
TIS, Total Isotropic Sensitivity. Symmetric receive metric of TRP: average sensitivity of the receiver measured by 3D rotation in anechoic chamber. Expressed in dBm, a more negative TIS indicates better sensitivity (e.g. -100 dBm is better than -95 dBm).
PTCRB and CTIA define maximum TIS thresholds (worst tolerated sensitivity) per band. TIS depends on the antenna efficiency and on the noise injected by the device itself (PCB layout, EMC of digital lines on the analogue front-end). A poorly laid out IoT product can have -10 dB TIS compared with the chipset reference, divided cell range correspondingly. See PTCRB standards.
UKCA marking
Section titled “UKCA marking”UKCA marking, UK Conformity Assessed. UK conformity mark introduced post-Brexit (1 January 2021) for products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Wales, Scotland: Northern Ireland keeps CE under the Windsor Framework). UKCA technically mirrors CE in terms of essential requirements and applicable standards.
Important: the UK has reauthorised the CE marking on a permanent basis for most products since August 2023 (Department for Business and Trade, "Recognition of CE marking: Indefinite extension"). UKCA is therefore optional in most cases, except for medical devices and equipment specifically excluded. Designated Bodies replace Notified Bodies for the UK. See CE scope.
UWB, Ultra Wide Band. Radio technology that occupies a very large bandwidth (≥ 500 MHz or ≥ 20 % of the centre frequency) with very low spectral power density. Standardised by IEEE 802.15.4z and used for indoor location (Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag+), keyless access (BMW Digital Key, Volkswagen) and short-range communication.
UWB is allowed in the 3.1-10.6 GHz band in the US under FCC Part 15 Subpart F and 6-9 GHz in the EU under EN 302 065, with very low EIRP (-41.3 dBm/MHz typical). EMC: EN 301 489-53. UWB does not interfere with co-located narrowband signals because of its low PSD. See RED standards.
VoLTE, Voice over LTE. Native voice service on 4G network, IMS-based, replacing 2G/3G circuit-switched voice. VoLTE allows simultaneous voice + data on 4G and improves call quality (AMR-WB / EVS codec) and call setup time (< 2 s vs. 5-7 s in 3G).
VoLTE is required by all major US operators (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) for any cellular device since 2020, the 3G/2G shutdown leaves no fallback. Tests: 3GPP TS 34.229 (IMS), operator OAT/NID. A device that does not pass VoLTE will not obtain operator NID even if PTCRB passes. See PTCRB tests.
VoNR, Voice over New Radio. Native voice service on 5G New Radio standalone (SA), introduced from 3GPP Release 16. VoNR replaces the EPS Fallback transitional solution (5G NSA → 4G LTE for voice) on operator 5G SA networks.
VoNR deployment is still partial in 2026, most 5G operators still use EPS Fallback. PTCRB tests VoNR conformance against 3GPP TS 38.521-1 and TS 34.229. Roadmap towards "full 5G voice" depends on the 5G SA network coverage of each operator and the corresponding firmware/baseband support. See PTCRB pillar.
WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2012/19/EU. Requires manufacturers and importers of EEE to organise free collection, treatment and recycling of end-of-life products. Implemented in France via the éco-organisme model (Ecologic, Ecosystem).
The WEEE compliance scheme requires registration in each Member State, payment of a contribution per unit placed on the market, and visible affixing of the crossed-out wheeled bin pictogram on the product or its packaging (EN 50419). WEEE accompanies CE marking but does not fall under it strictly speaking, it is a separate obligation under the CE umbrella. See CE scope.
Wi-Fi: Family of wireless local area network technologies based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Generations: 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz), 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 / 6E with 6 GHz), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8, in progress).
From the certification side, Wi-Fi falls under RED in the EU (EN 300 328 2.4 GHz, EN 301 893 5 GHz, EN 303 687 6 GHz) and FCC Part 15 Subpart C/E in the US. The Wi-Fi Alliance also runs a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED certification for interoperability, distinct from regulatory conformity. See RED standards and FCC standards.
Numbers and abbreviations
Section titled “Numbers and abbreviations”3GPP, 3rd Generation Partnership Project. Worldwide collaboration of standards bodies (ETSI for Europe, ATIS for the US, TTC and ARIB for Japan, TTA for Korea, CCSA for China, TSDSI for India) that drafts cellular standards from 3G UMTS to 5G NR and the future 6G. 3GPP publishes Releases (Rel-15 = first 5G NR, Rel-17 = NR-Light/RedCap, Rel-18 = 5G-Advanced).
3GPP specifications are organised into Technical Specifications (TS) by series: 22 (services), 23 (architecture), 24 (signalling), 36 (LTE), 38 (NR). PTCRB and GCF test against 3GPP TS, knowing the version of the Release supported by the module is structuring for any IoT product roadmap. See PTCRB standards.
47 CFR
Section titled “47 CFR”47 CFR, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47. Part of US federal regulation devoted to telecommunications, administered by the FCC. The 47 CFR contains around 80 parts, of which the most cited in certification are Part 2 (general), Part 15 (radio frequency devices, including Wi-Fi/BLE/SRD), Part 22 (cellular), Part 24 (PCS), Part 27 (broadband flexible-use), Part 90 (private mobile radio), Part 95 (personal radio).
A specific reference is cited in the form 47 CFR §15.247 (FHSS/DSSS systems 2.4/5.8 GHz) or 47 CFR §15.407 (U-NII 5 GHz). The 47 CFR is updated continuously by the FCC via Public Notices and KDB publications. See FCC standards.