VCCI 1 year grace period for 1 GHz+ testing

The VCCI Council posted a notice on its web site at http://www.vcci.jp/vcci_e/topics/new091211.html detailing the planed implementation of the 1 GHz+ radiated emissions requirements. These requirements are based on CISPR22 Edition 5.

While the VCCI Council will begin enforcement of the new requirements on October 1, 2010, manufacturers will have the option of applying the old requirements until September 2011. The VCCI Council requests however that manufactures proceed with conformity to the new requirements on the original 2010 deadline date.

The VCCI Council gives justification for its decision based on the publication, August 21, 2009, in the Official Journal of the European Union, that extended the date of withdrawal of EN55022:1998 until September 30, 2011. EN55022:1998 is based on CISPR22 Edition 3, and does not contain requirements for testing above 1 GHz.

It is interesting to note that for product sold in the United States, testing above 1 GHz has been required for many years. In fact, Part 15.33 calls out that unintentional radiators can be required to be tested up to as high as 40 GHz.

What has been a major point of contention for some, is that no agreed method for site validation has been published for above 1 GHz for FCC testing. That being said, no significant reports of interference above 1 GHz from properly tested unintentional radiators have made the headlines either.