Category: Electronics

UN 38.3 Requirements for Lithium Batteries: A Practical Guide

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UN 38.3 guide

If you are planning to ship lithium batteries in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, or Canada, you should be aware that there are restrictions, due to the fact that lithium batteries might be dangerous. For example, they might explode or catch fire.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers should know about UN 38.3 compliance requirements in practice. Note that other markets might regulate lithium batteries as well.
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Reese’s Law – Guide to Button Cell Battery Safety Requirements

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Reese's Law
Reese’s Law, enacted in honor of a toddler who lost her life due to the ingestion of a button cell battery, intends to protect users from similar tragedies. It mandates the establishment of a safety standard, which in turn sets requirements for button cell and coin batteries, and products that might contain such batteries.

This guide explains the background and purpose of Reese’s Law. It also covers 16 CFR Part 1263, the safety standard proposed by the CPSC as a result of the law. This guide also covers the standard’s product scope, as well as requirements regarding performance, labeling, testing, and certification.
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EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS): An Essential Guide

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The RoHS Directive restricts chemicals and heavy metals in electronic components, solder, and materials (e.g. casing). It applies to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) imported or manufactured in the European Union.

The requirements of the RoHS directive go beyond substance restrictions. More specifically, the directive also covers CE marking and other labelling requirements, documentation, and lab testing.
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Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive: An Essential Guide

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The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive covers electric and electronic equipment that may cause electromagnetic interference with other devices, or that might be disturbed by the electromagnetic field created by other devices.

Some types of electronic devices, such as quartz watches, do not fall under the scope of the directive because they are considered “inherently benign”, in the sense that they do not interfere and are not affected by other devices.

In this guide, we cover what EU importers and manufacturers must know about the directive, including harmonised standards, labelling, documentation, and lab testing requirements.
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Low Voltage Directive (LVD): An Essential Guide

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The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) aims to ensure the safety of electrical and electronic products with an input or output voltage within a certain range. Generally speaking, the Low Voltage Directive applies to devices and their power supply units that can be plugged into the power socket. Hence, it covers both consumer electronics and AC adapters.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know concerning the directive’s safety standards, labelling, documentation, and other requirements.
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FCC Unintentional Radiators: A Practical Guide

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An unintentional radiator is defined by the FCC as a device that uses electrical radio frequency signals within the product or sends these signals to associated equipment via connecting wiring.

For instance, a wired mouse would fall under the previous description. This is in contrast to wireless devices, which are generally considered to be intentional radiators.

Both unintentional and intentional radiators are regulated under 47 CFR Part 15, even though the requirements are different.

This guide covers the requirements of 47 CFR Part 15 for unintentional radiators, including product scope, exemptions, authorization procedure, labeling, documentation, and testing.
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FCC 47 CFR Part 15: Electronics Regulations in the United States

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Bluetooth speaker

47 CFR Part 15 covers electronic and electrical devices sold, imported, or manufactured in the United States. In this guide, we explain what you must know about device types, labeling requirements, documentation, testing, and more.

We also compare how the requirements and processes differ for intentional and unintentional radiators.

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FCC Certification Guide: An Overview

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FCC Certification

Planning to import or manufacture electronics in the United States? In this guide, we explain the certification authorization procedure requirements for devices that fall under the scope of FCC 47 CFR Part 15. This includes documentation, labeling, and testing requirements.
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Energy Star Guide: Marking, Certification and Testing Requirements

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ENERGY STAR Guide

Are you an importer or manufacturer looking to use the ENERGY STAR mark for your products? Having the mark on your product communicates that your product is more energy efficient.

This article covers the ENERGY STAR program and its associated marks and addresses common questions associated with the program. The primary source for this article comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR program.

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