OET TAKES STEPS TO ENCOURAGE SELF-DECLARATION FOR COMPUTER 
COMPLIANCE

PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
1919 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20554

News media information  202/418-0500.
Recorded listing of releases and texts  202/418-2222.

July 16, 1996 
 
TAKES STEPS TO ENCOURAGE SELF-DECLARATION FOR COMPUTER 
COMPLIANCE 
 

	The Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology 
(OET) hereby clarifies certain points to encourage and speed 
use of the new "Declaration of Conformity" (DoC) procedure 
that permits the manufacturer or supplier of personal 
computer equipment to self-declare compliance with FCC 
standards for controlling radio interference.  The new 
procedure was adopted on May 9, 1996, by Report and Order in 
ET Docket 95-19, and becomes effective on August 19, 1996.  
The DoC procedure is an optional alternative to authorization 
of the equipment by the FCC.  

	The DoC procedure requires use of a laboratory 
accredited by the American Association for Laboratory 
Accreditation (A2LA), the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 
Program (NVLAP) or any other accrediting body approved by 
OET.  We note that numerous laboratories have filed 
applications for laboratory accreditation with these 
organizations.  It will take several months for these 
organizations to complete the accreditation process.  

	To facilitate use of the DoC procedure, the FCC will 
accept a laboratory that submits documentation to OET's 
Equipment Authorization Division stating that it has filed an 
application for accreditation with an approved laboratory 
accreditation body and provides evidence that it meets all 
aspects of ISO/IEC Guide 25.  Such labs will be provisionally 
accepted by the FCC for a period of one year (until August 
19, 1997) or until the application for accreditation has been 
acted upon, whichever is sooner.  A laboratory that is denied 
accreditation by an approved accreditation body will lose its 
provisional acceptance.  However, any DoCs that were issued 
will remain valid.  

	Several organizations, other than A2LA or NVLAP, have 
inquired as to how they may become accreditors.  U.S. based 
organizations that wish to become accreditors must file a 
written request with OET.  The request must demonstrate that 
the organization meets all of the criteria set forth in 
ISO/IEC Guide 58.  OET will only recognize U.S. based 
organizations.  Organizations outside of the United States 
that seek to become accreditors may seek agreements with 
NVLAP or A2LA to mutually recognize the accreditation of 
laboratories.  The FCC will review such agreements and will 
consult with the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative and other Executive Branch agencies before 
accepting them for purposes of the DoC procedure in order to 
ensure that the respective foreign countries accept U.S. 
accreditations and do not impose additional barriers upon 
U.S. companies.  

	These actions are based on 47 CFR Section 0.241(f) which 
authorizes the Chief of the Office of Engineering and 
Technology to recognize additional accrediting organizations 
and to make determinations regarding the continued 
acceptability of individual accrediting organizations and 
accredited laboratories.  Additional questions concerning 
this notice may be addressed to Art Wall at 301-725-1585 
(ext. 205), fax: (301) 344 2050