Published: July 17, 2025 by Rungreung Huanraluek
What is the FCC Mark?
Standards Related to Data, Video, and Audio Communication Systems Part 1
Devices bearing the FCC mark indicate that they have passed tests according to international communication standards and have been certified by officially approved laboratories.
FCC, or the Federal Communications Commission, is a U.S. government agency established in 1934 under the Communications Act of 1934. Its primary duty is to control and regulate all forms of communication, such as television, radio, telephone, internet, satellites, and radio frequency waves, to ensure they meet safe, technically sound, and ethical standards.
Although the FCC is a U.S. agency, the standards it issues are trusted and adopted worldwide, especially in industries related to Master Antenna Television (MATV) systems, Cable Television (CATV) systems, IPTV systems, internet systems, and satellite communication systems. These standards serve as guidelines for controlling the quality and safety of equipment and various services globally today.
Why is FCC Important in the Communications Industry?
In various communication systems like MATV, SMATV, IPTV, CCTV, or data transmission via radio waves, the equipment used must not interfere with other devices' signals and must be able to operate safely with other systems without causing problems such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) or excessive power emission, which could affect nearby devices.
The FCC, or the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, is therefore the agency that sets technical standards for all types of communication equipment, including interference levels, user safety, and legal usage. Devices that meet these standards receive an FCC Certification, which serves as proof that the equipment has undergone official testing and can be used safely.
Choosing equipment with FCC certification ensures that in-building communication systems operate stably, safely, and without interfering with other devices, such as internet systems, CCTV cameras, or TV signals.
The process for obtaining FCC certification is the responsibility of the manufacturer or importer. They must prepare technical documents and submit the equipment for testing at an FCC-Accredited Lab. If successful, the information is then sent to a Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) to issue a unique identifier, known as an FCC ID, before official market entry.
FCC's Relevance to Standards in Thailand
Thailand has the NBTC (National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission), which regulates the use of radio frequencies, communications, telecommunications, television, and radio to ensure they comply with laws, are safe, and do not interfere with each other. This includes inspecting mobile devices, radios, satellites, and internet equipment.
Additionally, the TISI (Thai Industrial Standards Institute) in Thailand is responsible for inspecting, issuing licenses, and controlling standards for products that are mandated to have TIS (M.O.C.) certification before being sold in Thailand. This ensures consumers receive quality and safe products.
For importers of equipment from abroad, such as electrical appliances or communication devices, if that equipment has an FCC Certification mark, which is an internationally recognized safety standard, it can help in obtaining easier approval from Thai authorities when applying for TIS (M.O.C.) certification or requesting a certificate for import permission from NBTC. Referencing such data can streamline the approval process.
