PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

1919 M STREET NW

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

News media information 202/418-0500. Recorded listing of releases and texts 202/418-2222.

July 16, 1996

OET TAKES STEPS TO ENCOURAGE

SELF-DECLARATION FOR COMPUTER COMPLIANCE

The Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) hereby clarifies certain points to encourage and speed use of the new "Declaration of Conformity" (DoC) procedure that permits the manufacturer or supplier of personal computer equipment to self-declare compliance with FCC standards for controlling radio interference. The new procedure was adopted on May 9, 1996, by Report and Order in ET Docket 95-19, and becomes effective on August 19, 1996. The DoC procedure is an optional alternative to authorization of the equipment by the FCC.

The DoC procedure requires use of a laboratory accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) or any other accrediting body approved by OET. We note that numerous laboratories have filed applications for laboratory accreditation with these organizations. It will take several months for these organizations to complete the accreditation process.

To facilitate use of the DoC procedure, the FCC will accept a laboratory that submits documentation to OET's Equipment Authorization Division stating that it has filed an application for accreditation with an approved laboratory accreditation body and provides evidence that it meets all aspects of ISO/IEC Guide 25. Such labs will be provisionally accepted by the FCC for a period of one year (until August 19, 1997) or until the application for accreditation has been acted upon, whichever is sooner. A laboratory that is denied accreditation by an approved accreditation body will lose its provisional acceptance. However, any DoCs that were issued will remain valid.

Several organizations, other than A2LA or NVLAP, have inquired as to how they may become accreditors. U.S. based organizations that wish to become accreditors must file a written request with OET. The request must demonstrate that the organization meets all of the criteria set forth in ISO/IEC Guide 58. OET will only recognize U.S. based organizations. Organizations outside of the United States that seek to become accreditors may seek agreements with NVLAP or A2LA to mutually recognize the accreditation of laboratories. The FCC will review such agreements and will consult with the Office of the United States Trade Representative and other Executive Branch agencies before accepting them for purposes of the DoC procedure in order to ensure that the respective foreign countries accept U.S. accreditations and do not impose additional barriers upon U.S. companies.

These actions are based on 47 CFR Section 0.241(f) which authorizes the Chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology to recognize additional accrediting organizations and to make determinations regarding the continued acceptability of individual accrediting organizations and accredited laboratories. Additional questions concerning this notice may be addressed to Art Wall at 301-725-1585 (ext. 205), fax: (301) 344 2050,

email: awall@fcc.gov.