Streamlining the FCC equipment authorization process in response to changing global markets

Telecommunications equipment and certain electronic products require approval by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before they may be imported and marketed in the United States. There is growing worldwide interest in streamlining equipment approval processes for a number of reasons. The FCC has established an equipment authorization program to ensure that telecommunications and electronic products meet standards that are designed to control radio frequency interference. This paper describes the current FCC equipment authorization requirements and the forces at work seeking to streamline equipment approval processes. Special attention is devoted to international developments. The paper goes on to discuss a major FCC action to deregulate the equipment authorization process for personal computer equipment, that is perhaps a first step towards an equipment approval process that will be consistent with these international developments.