BT Wristband based on nRF8001: Do we need to certify to claim CE or FCC?

[InteliSen]

Good afternoon,

We are developing a consumer product that is using the nRF8001 as the BT peripheral. We have a question regarding certification; do we need to undergo any testing to claim CE or FCC? Am I correct in thinking that if we used a complete module (based on the nRF8001) then we would not need to do any testing? what is the difference (from your point of view) between regulatory and certification? Is there a way of avoiding having to do any significant testing to claim CE and FCC with a product that uses the nRFF8001? My final question is: is there a field application engineer with RF certification/regulatory background that can help us asap? We are set to launch later this year but this issue remains. Thanks in advance for your help.

Stephen Ingram.

[Philip]

Hi Stephen.

We have developed something similar in the past and sell in the EU. You have to do CE testing on your product before you can sell it (probably RED - radio equipment directive), which breaks down into radio, safety and EMC testing. Once you have done all that, you create a technical file and self certify, so create a DoC (Declaration of conformity). You can find examples via google.

Similar for FCC but lot more complicated for intentional radiators like your product, you need to do all the testing and send it of via a TCB to get an FCC ID for your product before you can market it.

If you use modules (like we are looking at doing for a new product), then you can skip all the radio testing but still have to do the other elements like EMC and safety. You also have to think about SAR emission testing if the product is body mounted.

So to summarise, I think you can reduce the amount of testing by using a module but you will still need to do some. For FCC using a module will save quite a lot of effort.

Phil

[InteliSen]

Phil, thank you very much for the quick response - your input is greatly appreciated. What you have said has confirmed our thoughts. I will try to identify a suitable test house here in the UK that can help us gather the evidence that we need to achieve self certification. Thanks again.

Steve.