Declarations of Conformity and Markings

[Benoit Nadeau]

Bonjour de Montréal,

Matrox is building computer graphics and communications boards. In our efforts to meet every market place demands, we are presently looking at the issuing of Declarations of Conformities and markings of our products. This effort lead to questions for which I have to find answers. I already have some ideas of the response but I would like to discuss for matters with our group. Anyone have similar problems could gain or shared its way of doing things.

1) FCC (USA)

-Class B DOC Procedure

In that case it is quite clear that at least the new FCC logo, trade name and model should appear on the product. The question is the DOC must be supplied with every product either on a sheet or in the manual (preferably). This DOC must have the name of the responsible and a phone number but does it have to be actually signed (bear a signature) ? I look in Part 2 and Part 15 of the FCC Regulation and seen no specific demand for a signature.

2) Industry Canada (Canada)

Before 1995, the Canadian Government did accept the FCC statement for product entering Canada. But since then, they require a separate statement. There is a suggested text in the regulation but I've seen shorter version of this like : Complies with Canadian ICES-003 Class {*}. But most of the product I see around do not have this statement on the product. How do foreign company treat the Canadian market access ?

3) CE mark (European Countries)

The CE mark clearly has to be on the product. On the other hand the DOC is not required to be supplied with every product but has to be in every selling points within the European Market. In the CE Directive, there is no requirement for this declaration to be signed but it seems that National regulations requires this signature. Do you have any reference to this requirement ?

4) C-TICK Mark (Australia/New-Zealand)

The Down-Under market has also is own set of requirements where their special logo (C-TICK) must be on the product. However in that case, the importer or local representative must be identified by a special code next to the mark. Also, the original DOC and Compliance Reports must also be hold by this representative. No need to supply this declaration with every product.

5) VCCI (Japan)

For VCCI aligned its technical requirements to those of Europe last year (10 meters measurements, CISPR22 type, Class A and B). For Class B the equipment must bear the VCCI logo. For Class A, it is more complicated, a very long Japanese text has to be on the product (or a tag attached to the product). How do other Class A PC Card manufacturers deals with this ?

6) Korea

The Pacific countries are joining into the dance and Korea has, for what I know, the more stringent regulation. Not only they require the product to be tested by a Korean recognized test lab, but they require a test by year by product. They also have a special BIG logo that has be on the product.

7) Taïwan and Russia

These two last players are beginning to make wave. Luckily Taïwan signed an agreement with A2LA (our EMC lab Accreditor) which will possibly ease certification for this market. They do not seem to ask for a special logo and the control is done with the borders incoming papers. For Russia, I only have partial informations,

As one can see it is becoming quite complicated ( we even thought of wrapping our board with the numerous declarations and notes to we have to supply). I can not imagine when Singapore, Hong-Kong/China, Central and South-American countries and, why not, African countries will start to join the party.

Have a nice day anyway....






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Benoit Nadeau, ing. M.ing. (P.eng., M.eng)
Gerant du Groupe Conformite (Conformity Group Manager)
Matrox <http://www.matrox.com/>
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1055, boul. St-Regis
Dorval (Quebec) Canada
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Tel : (514) 969-6000 (x2475)
FAX : (514) 969-6275
Internet : bnad...@matrox.com, <mailto:bnad...@matrox.com>