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Requirements for NIST Designation of U.S. Conformity Assessment Bodies

NIST, through the Telecom MRA program office (mra [at] nist.gov (mra[at]nist[dot]gov)), designates qualified U.S accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs) to telecom regulatory authorities for specific conformity assessment activities.    

The regulatory authority or other responsible party issues a formal recognition for qualified CABs and then accepts the CAB’s relevant conformity assessment results in accordance with (1) the scope of conformity assessment activities covered by the CAB’s recognition and (2) the economy’s regulatory scheme.  

The administrative and technical requirements for each economy, and the NIST designation application instructions can be viewed by selecting the link in the second column of TABLE 1.     

TABLE 1:  List of Economies & Designation Requirements

Regulatory Authority/Responsible Party*

Economy

 
 Designation RequirementsAdditional Information   

Designation of U.S. TCBs to the FCC

United States  
Federal Communication Commission (FCC)Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs)

NIST designates qualified accredited U.S. Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) to the FCC. Please refer to the FCC TCB Program Roles and Responsibilities DocumentSearch the database of FCC Recognized TCBs here.

The process of FCC testing laboratory recognition is not administered by NIST.  Please refer to the FCC Accredited Testing Laboratory Program Roles and Responsibilities Document . Search the database of all FCC Recognized Labs here.

Designation of NBs

European Union   
European Commission (EC)* on behalf of the regulatory authorities of the Member States.Notified Body (NB) Requirements

EMC Directive (EMCD)

Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

United Kingdom  
 UK Approved Body Requirements

Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations (SI 2016/1091)

Radio Equipment Regulations (SI 2017/1206)

Designation of Labs and CBs to Foreign MRA Partners

Australia  
Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA)Testing Laboratory Requirements 
Canada  
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Testing Laboratory & Certification Body Requirements  
Chinese Taipei  
Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI)Testing Laboratory Requirements 
National Communications Commission (NCC)Testing Laboratory Requirements 
Hong Kong  
Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA)Testing Laboratory & Certification Body Requirements 
Israel  

Ministry of Communications (MOC)

Ministry of Economy (MoE)

Testing Laboratory Requirements 
Japan  
VCCI*Testing Laboratory RequirementsThe VCCI registration process is not administered by NIST.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)Certification Body Requirements 
Korea  
National Radio Research Agency (RRA)Testing Laboratory Requirements 
Malaysia    
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)Testing Laboratory RequirementsNIST Designation and MCMC Recognition not required
Mexico  
Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT)Testing Laboratory RequirementsIFT recognition is only available for 3rd Party Testing Laboratories.
New Zealand  
Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) Testing Laboratory Requirements  NIST Designation and MBIE Recognition not required
Singapore  
Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)Testing Laboratory & Certification Body Requirements 
Vietnam  
Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC)Testing Laboratory Requirements 

 

 

Contacts

mra@nist.gov

Created April 4, 2017, Updated July 8, 2024