Whether you have installed a pre-approved module or developed a radio solution from scratch, such as using a chipset, Element provides radio frequency regulatory compliance testing services, enabling you to demonstrate that your products use the radio spectrum effectively and comply with country-specific regulatory requirements

 

What is RF compliance testing?

All devices that either use or produce radio frequency signals must comply with set industry standards and regulations for use. Radio frequency (RF) compliance testing verifies that your radio and wireless devices operate within specified RF emission limits to reduce the likelihood of interference with other equipment or communication systems. Compliance with these radio frequency regulations is mandatory for market access in most international markets, including the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK. Manufacturers must comply with the specific directives, rules, or standards applicable to the territory in which they want to sell their products. 

 

Key benefits of RF compliance testing with Element

  • Meet regulatory compliance: Our RF compliance testing experts have worked across a broad range of industries, with experience including telecommunications, automotive, medical devices, and consumer electronics. This experience allows us to guide you in achieving compliance, no matter the end application of your device.
  • Facilitate market access: By testing with Element, you can obtain the necessary certifications and approvals for both domestic and international market access. By meeting the appropriate regulations and standards we are helping you build a competitive position in the global market.
  • Enhance product reliability and safety: RF compliance testing can help you identify and rectify potential weaknesses or points of failure in your devices, allowing you to remedy problems and further enhance operational reliability and safety.
  • Regulate spectrum usage and reduce interference: RF compliance testing ensures that your devices operate within set boundaries (the allocated frequency bands), which supports a more regulated spectrum. By doing so it reduces the risk of interference, creating a more harmonious end-use scenario.

 

Address interference challenges

Interference is a major challenge for those using and receiving data across the radio spectrum. RF testing can check that your device isn’t causing, or subject to, interference. Testing also helps identify and mitigate sources of RF interference that can disrupt connectivity and compromise your device’s performance. This becomes more difficult in environments where multiple electronic devices coexist, as a complex RF spectrum will be created. RF compliance testing with Element will meticulously analyze RF emissions and susceptibility. Compliance testing effectively identifies interference sources, enabling targeted design modifications or shielding measures. Through this process, you can enhance the integrity of your wireless devices, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in challenging RF environments. 

 

Fast and efficient solutions for complex requirements

Our experts understand that you need fast solutions to get your product to market quickly and reduce inconvenience to customers. At the same time, RF compliance is complex – from challenging conditions and environments with high RF interference, achieving reliable wireless performance and compatibility can seem daunting. Element’s team is experienced in guiding you through the requirements for your particular country and industry, enabling seamless integration of new electronic devices with existing infrastructure without causing disruptions or compatibility issues. Through our comprehensive approach and network of global testing services, we can help you find tailored solutions faster, meeting the pressing demands of balancing quality and safety with cost-effectiveness and efficiency. 

Michael Derby

Michael Derby

Technical Director - Regulatory Approvals

Read more about Michael

Our RF compliance testing services

As a manufacturer, you must comply with the directives, rules, or standards applicable to the territory in which you want to sell your products. Element’s engineering team can support you throughout the entire RF compliance testing process, from generating bespoke test plans and performing pre-compliance investigations to full formal conformance testing.

Technologies that we support include, but are not limited to, the following:

We also offer specialized testing to ensure compliance with RF parameters and protocols. 

 

Why choose Element? 

Alongside our other supportive RF capabilities, Element RF compliance testing covers a wide range of regulatory standards, including ETSI, FCC, RSS, and Japan Radio Law. Our expertise spans various wireless technologies and frequencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage for your compliance needs. From Zigbee and Bluetooth to satellite communication, we can offer tailored solutions to meet your requirements. 

Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our range of RF compliance testing services and support.

Element provides RF compliance testing and certification services for a wide range of regulatory standards, including ETSI, FCC, RSS, and Japan Radio Law, covering many wireless technologies and frequencies. 

Common standards that our customers look for include: 

  • ETSI Standards:ETSI EN 300 328: Zigbee, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi)
  • ETSI EN 300 220: Short-range devices (25 MHz to 1000 MHz)
  • ETSI EN 300 330: Short-range devices (9 kHz to 25 MHz)
  • ETSI EN 300 440: Short-range devices (1 GHz to 40 GHz)
  • ETSI EN 301 893: 5 GHz RLAN / Wireless LAN (5 GHz Wi-Fi)
  • ETSI EN 303 687: 6 GHz RLAN / Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6E)
  • ETSI EN 302 208: RFID (865-868 MHz and 915-921 MHz)
  • ETSI EN 301 681: Satellite Earth Stations (1.5 – 1.6 GHz bands)
  • ETSI EN 301 908-1: Cellular equipment emissions

FCC Standards:

  • 47 CFR Part 15: Radio Frequency Devices (Bluetooth, WLAN, Zigbee)
  • 47 CFR Part 18: Industrial Scientific and Medical Equipment
  • 47 CFR Part 22: Public Mobile Services
  • 47 CFR Part 24: Personal Communication Services
  • 47 CFR Part 25: Satellite Communications
  • 47 CFR Part 27: Miscellaneous Wireless Communication Services

RSS Standards (Canada – ISED):

  • RSS-GEN
  • RSS-119
  • RSS-123
  • RSS-131
  • RSS-170
  • RSS-210
  • RSS-216
  • RSS-247
  • RSS-248

Japan Radio Law Standards (MIC):

  • Article 8
  • Article 19
  • Article 19-2
  • Article 19-3
  • Article 19-3-2

What are the differences between RF compliance testing and SAR testing?

In short, RF compliance testing focuses on device emissions, and SAR testing assesses possible health risks associated with RF radiation. RF compliance testing evaluates electronic devices for compliance with regulatory standards regarding electromagnetic interference and compatibility, ensuring they operate within specified emission limits without interfering with other equipment. Meanwhile, SAR testing measures the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the human body when using devices (e.g., mobile phones), ensuring they adhere to safe limits for RF exposure.

Do pre-approved modules need additional testing once installed?

They will likely need testing, yes. Depending on the product and RF receiver, there are benefits to integrating a pre-approved module into a host product, as well as designing your own radio. The commonly perceived wisdom is that buying in a module costs more than a chipset, but saves time and money by bypassing the test and certification process.

While this is often the case, there are some important factors to consider, including:

  • Fundamental frequency resonating in unterminated tracks on the PCB
  • Receiver sensitivity being compromised by nearby components or metallic chassis
  • Additional spurious emissions being caused by low-frequency signals coupling onto the RF output
  • The receiver being blocked by unwanted RF signals generated in the host

Any time a module is installed into a host, some re-testing of the RF parameters is expected.When there are significant changes to the module function, additional testing may be required. Using a pre-approved radio that has been altered can result in fees or loss of compliance, so ensuring proper use and function is critical.

 

How to Prepare for Radio Compliance Testing?

Read our guide to learn how to prepare for radio compliance testing to get your products to market quickly.

Learn more

Overview of Radio Compliance

Read our article to understand how the route to compliance differs across the globe and how this may affect a product reaching its intended markets.

Read more

Understand Testing and Approval of Radio Modules in North America

Download our free article on the differences between testing and approval of radio modules to achieve FCC and ISED Canada requirements and expedite your route to market.

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Understand Testing and Approval of Radio Modules in the European Union

Download our free guide to understand the differences between testing and approval of radio modules to meet the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

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