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Accreditation of Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs)
and
Certification Bodies (CBs) under the Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs)


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Background: Accreditation of TCBs for FCC Requirements

In December 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules to streamline its equipment authorization requirements by allowing Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) to certify equipment under Parts 2 and 68 of the Commission's Rules. The requirements for TCBs were specified in the Commission's Report and Order (R&O) in GEN Docket 98-68 (FCC 98-338), adopted on December 17, 1998. Under the Report and Order, TCBs are required to be accredited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), or by a NIST recognized accreditor. The NIST recognized two accreditors of telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs) for FCC requirements. 

  1. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (2000)
  2. American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) (2007)

TCBs are to be accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 (1996) - General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems, and the appropriate FCC Rules. The scopes of accreditation are defined in FCC's Public Notice DA 99-1640.

To obtain furter information on the application process for TCB Designation, please visit the following link:
http://ts.nist.gov/Standards/Conformity/TCB-Designation-Process-Application-Information.cfm

Background: Accreditation of CABs/CBs under the MRAs

Under Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information (APEC Tel) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), NIST is the Designating Authority. On January 28, 2003, U.S. and Canadian Governments signed an Exchange letter to implement Phase-II of the APEC Tel MRA. Under this MRA, NIST is responsible for qualifying and designating U.S. Conformity Assessment Bodies/Certification Bodies (CABs/CBs). According to Phase-II of the MRA, U.S. CABs/CBs must be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65 and specific APEC Economy's technical requirements. Industry Canada (IC) is the Regulatory Authority in Canada for telecommunications equipment. After evaluation, NIST recognized the following accreditation bodies for IC requirements.

  1. ANSI (2003)
  2. A2LA (2007)

In October 2003, the governments of the United States and Singapore signed Exchange letters to implement Phase-II of the APEC Tel MRA.  IDA is the Regulatory Authority in Singapore for telecommunications equipment.  After evaluation, NIST recognized the following accreditation bodies for IDA requirements. 

  1. ANSI (2005)
  2. A2LA (2007)

Terms of Recognition for ANSI

Terms of Recognition for A2LA

 

 


Date created: July 11, 2000
Last updated: September 25, 2008


 

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