*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 3992.doc* News media information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 DA 00- 2224 Released: September 29, 2000 FCC Will No Longer Accept Equipment Authorization Applications For Class B Computers and Peripherals That Can Be Self- Approved During the past few years, the Commission has streamlined its equipment authorization rules in two proceedings. In “Streamlining I, in early 1998 (ET Docket No. 97- 94, 13 FCC Rcd 11415 (1998)), the Commission eliminated two of the five categories of equipment authorization and relaxed the authorization procedures for devices that had a good history of compliance. In “Streamlining I”, we allowed many consumer electronic devices to be authorized using the self- approval procedures of Declaration of Conformity (DoC) or Verification. Under the DoC procedure, Class B personal computers (PCs) and PC peripherals could be approved without the filing of an application for equipment authorization with the FCC Laboratory in Columbia, Maryland. However, we decided to continue issuing Certification for devices subject to DoC for manufacturers whom chose to have their equipment approved via this method. Later that year, in “Streamlining II” (GEN Docket No. 98- 68, 13 FCC Rcd 24687 (1998)), we approved the use of Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs). These TCBs were authorized to issue a grant of Certification for certain consumer electronic devices in lieu of a traditional grant being issued by the Commission. The creation of TCBs also allowed us to implement Mutual Recognition Agreements with the European Union, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and other foreign trade partners. We indicated in the “Streamlining II” proceeding that once TCBs were available to process applications for PC equipment, the Commission would stop accepting Certification applications for these devices (see 47 CFR 15. 3 (r and s) for a definition of computer equipment as it pertains to this policy). The Commission has already designated seventeen TCBs capable of reviewing applications for equipment authorization of PC equipment. Now that these TCBs have been designated, the Commission will no longer accept equipment authorization applications for Certification of computer equipment that is subject to approval under the DoC procedure. If a computer equipment manufacturer desires to have a grant of Certification issued for such a device, an application for Certification must be filed with a TCB. To find the name and location of a TCB, on the Internet go to http// www. fcc. gov/, click on E- filing, and click on OET/ TCB Accreditor Electronic Filing. Under Reports in the left- hand column, click on TCB Search, choose a state from the pull- down menu, and click on Start Search. 1 2 Thus, beginning, on November 1, 2000, we will no longer accept applications for Certification under 47 CFR 2 for any Class B personal computer computers, personal computer peripherals, CPU boards and internal power supplies used with Class B personal computers, that can be approved by DoC. However, TCBs may continue to accept applications and issue grants of Certification for Class B personal computers, personal computer peripherals, CPU boards and internal power supplies used with Class B personal computers. For further information concerning this Public Notice, contact Raymond Laforge at the FCC Laboratory, 7435 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, Md. 21046, (301) 362- 3041, or e- mail: rlaforge@ fcc. gov. -FCC- 2