Sections 2.948 and 15.117(g)(2) - Equipment Authorization Measurement Standards

May 12, 2015

Federal Communications Commission

OMB Control Number 3060-0398

Explanation of Non-Substantive Changes to OMB Control Number: 3060-0398:

Purpose of this Submission: This submission is being made for non-substantive revision to an existing information collection pursuant to 44 U.S.C. § 3507. On December 17, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopted “Amendment of Parts 0, 1, 2, and 15 of the Commission’s Rules regarding Authorization of Radiofrequency Equipment” Report and Order (R&O) in ET Docket No. 13-44, FCC 14-208. The proceeding updated the Commission’s radiofrequency (RF) equipment authorization program to build on the success realized by the use of Commission-recognized Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs). The rules adopted will facilitate the continued rapid introduction of new and innovative products to the market while ensuring that these products do not cause harmful interference to each other or to other communications devices and services.

The requested change will not increase the number of respondents/responses and total burden hours in the “Equipment Authorization Program” information collection 3060-0398. The revised rules will consolidate reporting requirements for many respondents. Many of the respondents are currently required to provide information under two programs and will now will be required to do so only one program. Thus the total number of respondents will either decrease or remain the same.

Section 2.948 Measurement facilities:  Currently, there are two ways for a testing laboratory to be FCC recognized to perform testing for devices subject to certification.  The testing laboratories could meet the basic requirements to be 2.948-listed or they could be accredited by an accreditation body recognized by the Commission. The Order eliminates the option for just meeting the basic requirements to be 2.948-listed.  The information collection requirements associated with the accreditation procedures have not changed. The 2.948-listed labs will now be required to be accredited and thus will have to provide less information.

Section 2.949 Recognition of laboratory accreditation bodies:  This is a new rule section establishing procedures for recognizing entities that in turn are authorized to accredit testing laboratories.  Even though this is a new section of the rules this procedure is currently covered by Control No. 3060 0398, as of 2013.  See, the attached supporting statement questions (1)(c) and 7.