Conducted Emission Limits

t of this Commission

decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business

hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street, SW,

Washington, DC, and also may be purchased from the Commission's copy

contractor, International Transcription Services, Inc., (202) 857-3800,

1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making

1. In the Notice of Proposed Rule Making, the Commission proposes

to amend parts 15 and 18 of its rules regarding the limits on the

amount of radio frequency (RF) energy that is permitted to be conducted

onto the AC power lines. The devices regulated under parts 15 and 18

include personal computers, TV and FM receivers, RF lighting devices,

microwave ovens, induction cooking ranges and ultrasonic equipment. The

conducted RF energy can cause interference to radio communications via

two possible paths. First, the RF energy may be carried along the

electrical wiring to another device that is also connected to the

electrical wiring. Second, at frequencies below 30 MHz where

wavelengths are greater than 10 meters, the long stretches of

electrical wiring can act as very efficient antennas permitting the RF

energy to be radiated over the airwaves.

2. Under parts 15 and 18 of the rules, the potential for

interference below 30 MHz is controlled by limiting the levels of RF

energy that may be conducted onto the AC power lines. The current

standards are based largely on limits that were developed in the late

1970s for digital devices. Accordingly, on May 29, 1998, the Commission

adopted a Notice of Inquiry (``NOI''), 63 FR 34618, June 25, 1998, in

this proceeding to review the conducted emission limits applicable to

equipment operating under parts 15 and 18 of its rules. In the NOI, the

Commission designated this proceeding as parts of its 1998 biennial

review of regulations pursuant to section 11 of the Communications Act

of 1934, as amended

9, 1998, the Commission

adopted a Notice of Inquiry (``NOI''), 63 FR 34618, June 25, 1998, in

this proceeding to review the conducted emission limits applicable to

equipment operating under parts 15 and 18 of its rules. In the NOI, the

Commission designated this proceeding as parts of its 1998 biennial

review of regulations pursuant to section 11 of the Communications Act

of 1934, as amended. Section 11 requires the Commission to review all

of its regulations applicable to providers of telecommunications

services and determine whether any rule is no longer in the public

interest as a result of meaningful economic competition between

providers of telecommunications services. While a review of the

regulations regarding conducted emission limits for products subject to

parts 15 and 18 of the rules is not specifically encompassed by section

11 of the Communications Act of 1934, this review is consistent with

the objectives and spirit of section 11. As part of our biennial

review, the Commission stated that its goal in this proceeding, among

other things, was to examine whether the regulations on conducted

emission limits continue to be necessary. It also sought information on

the costs of complying with these

regulations and whether these regulations impede new technologies.

3. Based on the comments filed in response to the NOI, the

Commission is proposing a number of changes to its rules to reduce the

burden of these regulations. Specifically, it is proposing to amend the

conducted emission limits to make them generally consistent with

international standards developed by the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC), International Special Committee on Radio Interference

(CISPR). The specific proposals are shown below. Consistency with the

international standards will promote a global marketplace that will

reduce costs for manufacturers and consumers

he

conducted emission limits to make them generally consistent with

international standards developed by the International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC), International Special Committee on Radio Interference

(CISPR). The specific proposals are shown below. Consistency with the

international standards will promote a global marketplace that will

reduce costs for manufacturers and consumers. The Commission is

proposing to adopt conducted emission limits for part 18 consumer

products, such as microwave ovens, that currently are subject only to

radiated emission limits. The Commission also proposes an alternative

measurement procedure for part 15 transmitters operating below 30 MHz

where the responsible party may demonstrate that the total radiated

emissions from the device, including emissions at the fundamental

frequency that are conducted onto, and radiated from, the AC power

lines, do not exceed the radiated emission limits; such transmitters

would not be required to demonstrate compliance with the AC power line

conducted limits at the fundamental frequency.

4. Comments are invited on the proposed standards, as well as the

expansion of the frequency ranges over which conducted emissions are

applied. Comments are also invited on whether these standards will

adequately protect communications services against interference and on

how compliance with international standards may affect product costs.

5. Comments are also sought on whether a limit on power line

conducted emissions could be used by carrier current systems as an

optional alternative method of demonstrating compliance with the

radiated emission limits outside of the AM broadcast band. In addition,

comments are sought on the proposal to clarify when radiated emission

measurements below 30 MHz are required for unintentional radiators

operating under part 15 of the rules.

6

n power line

conducted emissions could be used by carrier current systems as an

optional alternative method of demonstrating compliance with the

radiated emission limits outside of the AM broadcast band. In addition,

comments are sought on the proposal to clarify when radiated emission

measurements below 30 MHz are required for unintentional radiators

operating under part 15 of the rules.

6. The Commission proposes that the regulations contained in the

Notice of Proposed Rule Making become effective for all part 15 and 18

products subsequently authorized under a grant of certification, a

Declaration of Conformity, or verification one year or more from the

date of publication of the resulting Report and Order in the Federal

Register. It also proposes that all products comply with these

standards if they are imported or manufactured on or after three years

from the date of publication of the Report and Order in the Federal

Register.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

7. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA),\1\ the

Commission has prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

(IRFA) of the possible significant economic impact on small entities by

the policies and rules proposed in this Notice of Proposed Rule Making

(Notice). Written public comments are requested on the IRFA. Comments

must be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the

deadlines for comments on the Notice. The Commission will send a copy

of this Notice, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy

of the Small Business Administration. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a).

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public comments are requested on the IRFA. Comments

must be identified as responses to the IRFA and must be filed by the

deadlines for comments on the Notice. The Commission will send a copy

of this Notice, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy

of the Small Business Administration. See 5 U.S.C. 603(a).

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\1\ 1 See 5 U.S.C. 603. The RFA, see 5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq., has

been amended by the Contract With America Advancement Act of 1996,

Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 847 (1996) (CWAAA). Title II of the

CWAAA is the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of

1996 (SBREFA).

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Need for, and Objectives of, the Proposed Rule

8. This rule making proposal is initiated to obtain comments

regarding proposed changes to the regulations for radio frequency

devices that do not require a license to operate. The Commission seeks

to determine if its standards regarding the amount of radio frequency

energy permitted to be conducted onto the AC power lines should be

amended.

Legal Basis

9. The proposed action is taken pursuant to sections 4(i), 301,

302, 303(e), 303(f), and 303(r) of the Communications Act 10 1934, as

amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301, 302, 303(e), 303(f), and 303(r).

Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the

Proposed Rules Will Apply

10. For purposes of this Notice, the RFA defines a ``small

business'' to be the same as a ``small business concern'' under the

Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632, unless the Commission has developed

one or more definitions that are appropriate to its activities.\2\

Under the Small Business Act, a ``small business concern'' is one that:

f Small Entities to Which the

Proposed Rules Will Apply

10. For purposes of this Notice, the RFA defines a ``small

business'' to be the same as a ``small business concern'' under the

Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 632, unless the Commission has developed

one or more definitions that are appropriate to its activities.\2\

Under the Small Business Act, a ``small business concern'' is one that:

(1) is independently owned and operated; (2) is not dominant in its

field of operations; and (3) meets any additional criteria established

by the Small Business Administration (SBA).\3\ SBA has defined a small

business for Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) category 4812

(Radiotelephone Communications) to be small entities when they have

fewer than 1500 employees.\4\ Given this definition, nearly all such

companies are considered small.

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\2\ See 5 U.S.C. 601(3) incorporating by reference the

definition of ``small business concern'' in 5 U.S.C. 632.

\3\ See 15 U.S.C. 632.

\4\ See 13 CFR 121.201.

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Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping and Other Compliance

Requirements

11. Part 15 and part 18 radio frequency devices are already

required to be authorized under the Commission's certification,

Declaration of Conformity, or verification procedures as a prerequisite

to marketing and importation. The reporting and recordkeeping

requirements associated with these equipment authorizations would not

be changed by the proposals contained in the Notice. While most part 15

devices already are subject to standards on the amount of radio

frequency energy that can be placed on the AC power lines, different

limits are being proposed in the Notice. In most cases, depending on

the bandwidth of the emission placed on the AC power lines, the

emission limits are being relaxed from the current standards

changed by the proposals contained in the Notice. While most part 15

devices already are subject to standards on the amount of radio

frequency energy that can be placed on the AC power lines, different

limits are being proposed in the Notice. In most cases, depending on

the bandwidth of the emission placed on the AC power lines, the

emission limits are being relaxed from the current standards. Most part

18 products, such as microwave ovens, are not currently subject to

limits on the amount of radio frequency energy that can be placed on

the AC power lines. The limits proposed in this Notice would be new

requirements. To reduce any perceived burden of compliance with the

proposed standards, the Commission is proposing to adopt

internationally-recognized standards that currently are specified in

the European Union and other countries. This will permit manufacturers

of all sizes to market their equipment globally.

Significant Alternatives to Proposed Rules Which Minimize Significant

Economic Impact on Small Entities and Accomplish Stated Objectives

12. None.

Federal Rules that May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict with the

Proposed Rule

13. None.

Federal Communications Commission.

Magalie Roman Salas,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-29784 Filed 11-15-99; 8:45 am]

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