FCC Part 18

FCC Part 18 is the section of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations that provides the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with authority to regulate industrial, scientific, and medical equipment (ISM) that emits electromagnetic energy on frequencies within the radio frequency spectrum in order to prevent harmful interference to authorized radio communication services. This part sets forth the conditions under which the equipment in question may be operated. The FCC Part 18 general technical requirements are as follows, ISM equipment shall be designed and constructed in accordance with good engineering practice with sufficient shielding and filtering to provide adequate suppression of emissions on frequencies outside the frequency bands specified in §18.301.

FCC Part 18 requires the following equipment authorization as quoted by the FCC:

A. Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized under either the Declaration of Conformity or certification procedure prior to use or marketing. An application for certification shall be filed with the Commission on an FCC Form 731, pursuant to the relevant sections in part 2, subpart J of this chapter and shall also be accompanied by:

a. A description of measurement facilities pursuant to §2.948, or reference to such information already on file with the Commission.
b. A technical report pursuant to §§18.207 and 18.311.

B. Consumer ultrasonic equipment generating less than 500 watts and operating below 90 kHz, and non-consumer ISM equipment shall be subject to verification, in accordance with the relevant sections of part 2, subpart J of this chapter.

C. Grants of equipment authorization issued, as well as on-site certifications performed, before March 1, 1986, remain in effect and no further action is required.

FCC Part 18 contains the following subparts:

FCC Part 18 Subpart A – General Information
FCC Part 18 Subpart B – Applications and Authorizations
FCC Part 18 Subpart C – Technical Standards

For more information on FCC Compliance Testing, please click on one of the following links:

Keystone Compliance assists manufacturers with FCC Part 18 compliance. Testing to FCC Part 18 includes conducted emissions and radiated emissions. Additional testing might be required given the nature of the product. Please contact us for more information on how Keystone Compliance can assist you with identifying and fulfilling your FCC Part 18 needs.