Accreditation of Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs)
and
Certification Bodies (CBs) under the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA)
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Accreditation of TCBs for FCC Requirements
In December 1998, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules to streamline its equipment authorization requirements by allowing Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) to certify equipment under Parts 2 and 68 of the Commission's Rules. The requirements for TCBs were specified in the Commission's Report and Order (R&O) in GEN Docket 98-68 (FCC 98-338), adopted on December 17, 1998. Under the Report and Order, TCBs are required to be accredited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), or by a NIST recognized accreditor. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) applied to NIST for recognition as an accreditor of TCBs. NIST has evaluated ANSI’s technical competency to carry out this accreditation function through onsite assessment and witness audits.
TCBs are to be accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 (1996) - General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems, and the appropriate FCC Rules. The scopes of accreditation are defined in FCC’s Public Notice DA 99 1640.
Accreditation of CABs/CBs for Industry Canada Requirements
Under Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information (APEC Tel) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), NIST is the Designating Authority. On January 28, 2003 , U.S. and Canadian Governments signed an Exchange letter to implement Phase-II of the APEC Tel MRA. Under this MRA, NIST is responsible for qualifying and designating U.S. Conformity Assessment Bodies / Certification Bodies (CABs/CBs). According to Phase-II of the MRA, U.S. CABs/CBs must be accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65 and specific APEC Economy’s technical requirements. NIST evaluated ANSI’s CAP for Industry Canada ’s (IC) requirements, the latter being the Regulatory Authority in Canada for telecommunications equipment.
Recognition of ANSI
NIST initially recognized ANSI's Conformity Assessment Program (CAP) in May 2000 for a period of two years for FCC’s Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB) program. NIST re-assessed ANSI's CAP in May 2002 for the TCB program and extended recognition till May 30, 2004 . In 2003, NIST expanded ANSI’s scope to include Industry Canada ’s requirements for conformity assessment bodies/certification bodies (CABs/CBs) involved in the approval of telecommunications equipment.
Current Action
As a result of on-site assessment, witness audits, and the recommendation of an Evaluation Panel, NIST recognized ANSI's CAP as an accreditor of TCBs and CABs/CBs for telecommunications equipment. The recognition procedures were performed under NIST's National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) program. The terms of recognition are as follows:
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| Name of Recognized Accreditor: |
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) |
| Address: |
1819 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036 |
| Authorized Representative: |
Lane Hallenbeck, Vice President of Conformity Assessment |
| Date of Recongnition: |
May 31, 2004 |
| Valid through: |
May 30, 2006 |
| Yype of Action: |
Recognition Renewal |
| Criteria for Accreditation: |
ISO/IEC Guide 61 and NVCASE Program
Handbook NISTIR 6440:2002 ED |
| Scope of Accreditation: |
a) Federal Communication Commission’s TCB program as described in its Report & Order 98-338 (GEN Docket 98-68) and Public Notice DA 99 1640, and
b) Industry Canada ’s certification body program described in its documents CB-02, CB-03, and REC-CB |
How to Apply for Accreditation as a TCB and/or a CAB/CB?
Those organizations desiring accreditation as a TCB, please contact:
Mr. Reinaldo Figueiredo
American National Standards Institute
Director, Conformity Assessment Program Manager
1819 L Street, NW, 6th floor
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-331-3611
Fax: 202-293-9287
E-mail: rfigueir@ansi.org
List of Accredited TCBs
American National Standards Institute
List of Designated CABs/CBs to Industry Canada
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)
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