The Manufacturer’s Action Plan: Vetting Your Next FCC Test Lab

The recent, aggressive enforcement action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against over a dozen foreign-linked testing facilities marks a permanent change in the wireless supply chain. Testing is no longer just about compliance; it’s about national security.

For manufacturers, this means the strategy of choosing the lowest bidder is now the highest-risk move. Your product’s future in the U.S. market depends entirely on the integrity of your lab. If the testing lab were to lose its FCC approval or accreditation, all testing performed by that facility would be invalidated. Your product’s successful future in the U.S. market hinges entirely on the integrity of your lab.

Finding a Trustworthy Lab

Finding a trustworthy SAR testing lab begins with a two part check: FCC Recognition and A2LA Accreditation or equivalent accreditation. 

You should first use the FCC Test Firm Search database to verify that the lab holds active Recognition status, which is the official governmental stamp of approval required to perform compliance testing for the U.S. market. This crucial step immediately filters out any of the recently de-recognized labs that don’t comply with U.S. product standards. A crucial risk to consider is the possibility of the testing lab’s FCC accreditation being revoked. This further highlights the importance of vetting a lab’s security protocols as mandatory due diligence.

Once official status is confirmed, verify the lab’s technical competence by checking its accreditation status. The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is an example of a globally recognized, non-profit body that formally assesses a lab’s technical competence. 

While the recent enforcement actions highlight significant risks in the supply chain, finding a reliable partner is not impossible. In fact, many American laboratories have been operating with impeccable standards for decades, serving as the trusted foundation for global brands. Labs like RF Exposure Lab demonstrate the criteria manufacturers should look for.

Your Trustworthy New Partner

At RF Exposure Lab, we’re committed to providing high-quality SAR testing and technical competence, as evidenced by our A2LA accreditation. It’s this commitment to excellence that makes our lab a world-class leader in SAR testing. As an A2LA accredited lab, we work to provide our clients with the most accurate SAR testing results.

We go above and beyond to make sure our clients understand what we do and assist them in understanding what SAR testing is required for their products. Through our unique expertise and commitment to our clients, we guarantee accurate SAR testing and results.

We offer SAR testing services for a variety of wireless devices including laptops, tablets, cell phones, wireless modems, medical products, and much more. If you’re looking for SAR testing help provided with speed, accuracy, expertise, and integrity, contact us to get a quote for our services.