The Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued guidelines regarding the type of information it requires from bodies seeking approval to accredit testing laboratories under the Commission’s rules.
In a Public Notice issued in August, the Commission has determined that the following information provides the “best evidence” of an applicant accreditation body’s credentials and qualifications to accredit test laboratories:
- Successful completion of an ISO/IEC 17011 peer review, such as that required by signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA);
- Experience with the accreditation of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio and telecom testing laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025, preferably through an audit of an accreditation witnessed by an OET staff member;
- Accreditation personnel/assessors with specific technical experience with the Commission’s equipment authorization rules and requirements; and
- Procedures and policies developed for the accreditation of testing laboratories for FCC equipment authorization programs.
FCC-approved accreditation bodies are responsible for assessing a testing laboratory’s compliance with applicable ISO/IEC standards for operating a testing laboratory and conducting tests, and for assessing a laboratory’s ability to perform testing in support of the applicable FCC technical regulations.
Read the complete text of the Commission’s Public Notice regarding testing laboratory accreditation.
