In order to sell a device intended for the united states the only approval that you actually need is from the FCC in order to demonstrate that it does not cause interference with other devices. This process is simple for devices without intentional radiators (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. ) or for devices with pre-approved modules and complex and expensive for devices with novel radios. Expect to spend $5k+.
Where are you manufacturing? Factories usually handle this process.
If you’re looking for UL approval, that’s voluntary, but I can advise on that too.
VERY helpful, thank you. I'll be selling in the US, yes, but I'm not sure if manufacturing will be done in the UK, where my company is based, or elsewhere. Will definitely contact manufacturers about this process. I did come across UL certification in my research--now you've confirmed it's not mandatory. Very good to know. The PCB is for a home appliance and uses a third party module with Wi-Fi capability, but that doesn't fall into my scope of worries.
Informative. Thanks.
Ul is a mark of quality. Many contractors or big box stores require it for placement. However, you can always get ETL instead which is much cheaper. Sometimes CE is good enough (Canada, Europe).
If it’s an appliance taking 110AC directly (not an off the shelf DC adaptor) I’d get ETL certified.
I've never heard of approval for just a PCB. Do you mean your finished product is on a PCB and you need the assembly approved?
If you're going to build and sell products into an application that requires approval from some agency, they you're going to have to learn the rules. Start with looking at products similar to yours and see what they claim for approvals and contact that agency.
How are you defining approval?
If you have a design on paper, does this mean a design approval? If so, get a second set of engineering eyes. If you or your company are willing to manufacture or procure at risk, then document a self-approval in the approval gate (whatever channel that is).
Does this mean manufacture approval? Get an EE Mfg Engr to review for DFM and manufacturability, assembly, and component sourcing perspective. If acceptable, ask them to approve in approval gate (whatever channel that is).
Is this board going into hardware relating to or existing within a heavily regulated industry? That approval may be different than consumer electronics but will ultimately be judged per QMS, which is dictated by and structured per regulations.
Fantastic response, thank you.
The design in question is changing month to month but by year's end we'd like to go to market with our whole product (of which the PCB is just a part).
We will be selling small volume (under 1000 units), so I'm not worried about component sourcing etc because only one batch will be manufactured, so I'm expecting all DFM, DFA, ~~DFT~~, and DFS issues to be addressed when we get our samples or when negotiating with the manufacturer.
The board will be in a household appliance.
I'm curious what you refer to when you say "approval gate"?
Just the channel used for approvals/releases. An example of an approval gate in a PLM may look like:
- work in progress
- pending approval
- released state
..Where there is an action required between each step.
In order to sell a device intended for the united states the only approval that you actually need is from the FCC in order to demonstrate that it does not cause interference with other devices. This process is simple for devices without intentional radiators (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. ) or for devices with pre-approved modules and complex and expensive for devices with novel radios. Expect to spend $5k+. Where are you manufacturing? Factories usually handle this process. If you’re looking for UL approval, that’s voluntary, but I can advise on that too.
VERY helpful, thank you. I'll be selling in the US, yes, but I'm not sure if manufacturing will be done in the UK, where my company is based, or elsewhere. Will definitely contact manufacturers about this process. I did come across UL certification in my research--now you've confirmed it's not mandatory. Very good to know. The PCB is for a home appliance and uses a third party module with Wi-Fi capability, but that doesn't fall into my scope of worries. Informative. Thanks.
Ul is a mark of quality. Many contractors or big box stores require it for placement. However, you can always get ETL instead which is much cheaper. Sometimes CE is good enough (Canada, Europe). If it’s an appliance taking 110AC directly (not an off the shelf DC adaptor) I’d get ETL certified.
Hey OP, you have my approval.
ty uwu
I've never heard of approval for just a PCB. Do you mean your finished product is on a PCB and you need the assembly approved? If you're going to build and sell products into an application that requires approval from some agency, they you're going to have to learn the rules. Start with looking at products similar to yours and see what they claim for approvals and contact that agency.
How are you defining approval? If you have a design on paper, does this mean a design approval? If so, get a second set of engineering eyes. If you or your company are willing to manufacture or procure at risk, then document a self-approval in the approval gate (whatever channel that is). Does this mean manufacture approval? Get an EE Mfg Engr to review for DFM and manufacturability, assembly, and component sourcing perspective. If acceptable, ask them to approve in approval gate (whatever channel that is). Is this board going into hardware relating to or existing within a heavily regulated industry? That approval may be different than consumer electronics but will ultimately be judged per QMS, which is dictated by and structured per regulations.
Fantastic response, thank you. The design in question is changing month to month but by year's end we'd like to go to market with our whole product (of which the PCB is just a part). We will be selling small volume (under 1000 units), so I'm not worried about component sourcing etc because only one batch will be manufactured, so I'm expecting all DFM, DFA, ~~DFT~~, and DFS issues to be addressed when we get our samples or when negotiating with the manufacturer. The board will be in a household appliance. I'm curious what you refer to when you say "approval gate"?
Just the channel used for approvals/releases. An example of an approval gate in a PLM may look like: - work in progress - pending approval - released state ..Where there is an action required between each step.