A Bluetooth module is a PCBA board with integrated Bluetooth functionality, used for short-range wireless communication. Functionally, it is divided into Bluetooth data modules and Bluetooth voice modules. When exporting Bluetooth products to different countries/regions, the required certifications, testing standards, and test items vary. As a low-power Bluetooth module manufacturer, XinChida Technology offers multiple low-power Bluetooth modules that have passed various popular certifications. This can help customers quickly develop Bluetooth products for market launch while also saving considerable certification costs. Here, we introduce common certifications related to Bluetooth products.

BQB Certification

BQB stands for Bluetooth Qualification Body, generally referred to as Bluetooth qualification certification. In short, products with Bluetooth functionality that display the Bluetooth logo on the product appearance must pass the Bluetooth BQB certification; otherwise, the product will be considered infringing by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). BQB certification is one of the basic certification items for Bluetooth products, currently managed by SIG.

Products that pass BQB certification will receive a DID number. The QDL column name, also called the DID column name, refers to QDL column name certification, which is the column name form of BQB certification. This means that if the Bluetooth module has already passed BQB certification, products using this module do not need to reapply for BQB certification. As long as authorization is obtained from the module supplier, the product can be uploaded to the BQB website in the form of a column name. The purpose is to reduce manufacturers' costs and encourage more products to join BQB certification. 

If the Bluetooth module in the end product has not passed BQB certification, the company needs to submit the product and data to an authorized certification company for testing. After passing the tests, the company must pay registration fees to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and purchase a DID (Declaration ID) certificate. The amount depends on whether the applying company is a member or non-member of the Bluetooth SIG, with different fees required. 

If the Bluetooth module in the end product has already passed BQB certification, the company only needs to apply to the Bluetooth SIG to purchase a DID column name registration and obtain the DID column name certificate for use.

BQB Qualification Requirements

1► Testing

2► Documentation

3► File Submission

4► Evaluation Review

5► Supplier Consistency Statement

6► Compliance with Audit and Mandatory Procedures

Information Needed for BQB Certification

1► Company information (name, address, contact person, contact details, company email)

2► Product model

3► Username and password provided after registration (can be registered on SIG)

4► Samples or sample photos (multiple angles of appearance)

5► Authorization letter (provided by the module company)

6► Product images

Certification cycle: 3~4 weeks

SRRC Certification

SRRC certification is a mandatory regulation by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) of China. It stipulates that all radio components sold and used within China must obtain radio type approval certification (i.e., SRRC certification). Formerly, the China National Radio Monitoring Center (SRMC) under the State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC) is currently the only authorized organization in the country capable of testing and certifying according to radio type approval regulations.

SRRC Application Process

1► Confirm whether the product is within the scope of SRRC

2► Organize SRRC certification materials and prepare SRRC prototype

3► Preliminary testing to ensure it can pass certification

4► Submit the application and wait for the schedule

5► Send samples to the institution for testing, and upload certification materials and technical documents

6► Test the samples and review the materials

7► Once testing is completed and materials are approved, issue the certificate

SRRC Certification Materials

1► Application Form

2► Power of Attorney

3► Letter of Commitment

4► Business License (annual inspection must not be expired)

5► Prototype, quantity depends on different products; some prototypes need to have RF cables exposed (and RF port or SMA port)

6► ISO Certificate or company profile and company capability description

7► Product specifications, circuit diagram, manual, block diagram, operation instructions

8► Antenna gain

9► Test guidance

10► Color photos of the EUT, nameplate (must include all interfaces and all sides)

11► Frequency channel comparison table (if there are multiple operating channels, must provide)

Scope of CE Certification

1► Personal protective equipment: rubber gloves, sunglasses, goggles, etc.

2► Hand-held machinery: hand grinders, hand wheels, etc.

3► Low-voltage electrical products, etc.

4► Woodworking electric tools and machine tools: planers, electric milling machines, polishers, etc.

5► Lifting machinery: elevators, winches, cranes, etc.

6► Underground working machinery: coal miners, roadheaders, pile drivers, etc.

7► Industrial electrical equipment: uninterruptible power supplies, voltage stabilizers, CCTV monitoring and alarm systems, lighting fixtures and electric light sources, etc.

8► Mobile operation machinery: bulldozers, rollers, excavators, etc.

9► Household appliances: vacuum cleaners, electric irons, dishwashers, electric cookers, washing machines, electric shavers, electric curling irons, microwaves, electric sweepers, electric fans, televisions, video recorders, VCD players, audio equipment, etc.

10► Machinery products: agricultural and food machinery: conveyors, grinders, packaging machines, etc.

11► Simple medical devices: reading glasses, medical stretchers, scalpels, etc.

CE Certification Test Items

1► Electromagnetic Compatibility Test (EMC Test)

2► Safety Test LVD (According to the new directive, this test is also required for RF products with battery input)

3► Radio Communication Equipment Test according to European ETSI Standards (RF Test)

4► European Allowed Spectrum Information Notification (Notification)

5► CTR (TBR) Test

6► Electrical Safety and Health Protection Test (SAR Evaluation)

CE Certification Process

1► Fill out the application form

2► Submit company information form

3► Provide product information and send samples

4► Determine test standards, test time, and quotation based on the provided information

5► After the applicant confirms the quotation, make the payment

6► Product testing

7► Tests passed, report completed

8► Project completed, CE certification issued

CE Certification Materials

1► Product User Manual

2► Circuit Schematic Diagram

3► Circuit Block Diagram (also called Module Function Diagram)

4► Circuit Routing Diagram (PCB Layout)

5► Circuit Reference Designator Diagram (PCB)

6► Operation Description (Explanation of the Block Diagram)

7► Component List (BOM List)

8► Label

9► Antenna Specifications (or Antenna Gain Diagram)

10► Charger LVD Report

11► Fixed-frequency Software (also called Fixed-frequency Program, which allows the transmitter module to continuously transmit at a certain frequency point, generally for BT and WIFI) must be provided

Cycle: 10-15 working days

RoHS Certification

RoHS is a mandatory standard legislated by the European Union and is one of the directive standards under CE certification. Its full name is the English abbreviation of "The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment." RoHS certification is also called environmental certification. In fact, RoHS certification refers to a test for hazardous substances. The standard was officially implemented on July 1, 2006, mainly aimed at regulating the materials and process standards of electronic and electrical products to make them more beneficial for human health and environmental protection. The purpose of the standard is to eliminate six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and it specifically stipulates that the cadmium content must not exceed 0.01%.

RoHS certification mainly involves products

The term "electrical and electronic equipment" in the RoHS Directive refers to equipment designed to operate with a voltage not exceeding 1000V AC and 1500V DC, which normally relies on electric current or electromagnetic fields for operation, as well as equipment used to generate, transfer, and measure these currents and fields.

It mainly includes: everyday household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, water heaters, etc.; black goods, such as audio and video products, DVDs, CDs, television receivers, IT products, digital products, communication products, etc.; power tools, electric electronic toys, medical electrical equipment, the power used, including small and large household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, and consumer goods, such as radios, televisions, camcorders, and audio systems.

RoHS Certification Categories

1► RoHS Chemical Testing: Suitable for single-material components or finished products with very simple materials.

2► RoHS Chemical Testing Scan: Suitable for products with relatively complex materials, where the RoHS compliance of the components of the entire machine is unknown, requiring full machine testing or preliminary evaluation.

3► RoHS Scan: Suitable for products with very complex materials and limited testing budget.

4► RoHS Integration: Suitable for products containing multiple materials, where all machine components have RoHS test reports.

Applicable Regions

European Union member countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Cyprus, Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania.

RoHS 2.0

The currently enforced RoHS 2.0 is 2011/65/EU, which was released in 2011. This directive, based on the original 2002/95/EC, updated four new restricted substances: DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP, which are four phthalates. With this, the RoHS restricted substances list was updated to 10 items, which is what we now commonly refer to as RoHS ten items. At the same time, the scope of application was extended to large and small household appliances, information and communication equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electronic and electrical tools, medical devices, in vitro diagnostic devices, monitoring and control instruments, industrial monitoring and control equipment, vending machines, and other areas.

REACH Certification

“Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals; the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals.” This is the EU regulation for the preventive management of all chemicals entering its market, which officially came into effect on June 1, 2007.

On December 18, 2006, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union officially adopted the Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH Regulation), implementing preventive management for all chemicals entering the markets of the 28 EU member states. The regulation officially took effect on June 1, 2007, and began implementation on June 1 of the following year. The competent authority is the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

This standard requires that any substance of very high concern (SVHC) used in quantities exceeding 1 ton per year must not exceed 0.1% of the total weight of the product; otherwise, a series of cumbersome obligations such as registration, notification, and authorization must be fulfilled.

Scope of Products Applicable for REACH Certification

REACH covers almost all products exported to the European Union (except food, medicine, and pesticides). Commonly included products are as follows:

1► Chemicals, alloys, plastics, semi-finished products, accessories

2► Toys, furniture, cosmetics, stationery, pigments, paints, adhesives, and cleaners

3► Textiles and apparel, footwear, leather products, and accessories

4► Electronic and electrical products and other products

5► Household items, leisure and sports products, etc.

REACH Certification Process

1► Certification Consultation — Provide product-related information

2► Certification Quotation — Evaluate testing costs and time

3► Fill out the application form, return the signed contract, and send samples

4► Laboratory conducts REACH testing on samples

5► After passing the test, issue the REACH report

6► Send REACH certification report, invoice, and other documents

REACH certification is updated 1-2 times every year. On January 17, 2022, the REACH SVHC list added 4 more substances, so now the REACH certification tests 223 chemical substances. SVHC stands for Substance of Very High Concern, which is a type of toxic substance regulated under the EU REACH regulation.

FCC Certification

FCC stands for the Federal Communications Commission. All electronic products entering the United States need to undergo electromagnetic compatibility certification. If a product wants to be exported to the U.S., it must be tested and approved by government-authorized laboratories according to FCC technical standards. Importers and customs agents must declare that each radio frequency device meets FCC standards, which is the FCC license. In simple terms, FCC certification is a mandatory certification for products entering the U.S. market. There are two certification methods: FCC ID and FCC SDoC. Devices with wireless transmission functions use FCC ID, while others use FCC SDoC.

Bluetooth products exported to the United States for sale need to obtain FCC certification. Products with Bluetooth functionality, such as Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth mice and keyboards, Bluetooth game controllers, etc., all need to apply for an FCC ID. The testing standard is FCC Part 15 Subpart C 2019, Section 15.247.

FCC Certification Categories

1► Finished Product Certification: Certification of a complete wireless device, including modules, motherboards, peripheral circuits, enclosures, etc.

2► Module Certification: Module certification is divided into two types: restricted module certification and non-restricted module certification. A restricted wireless module refers to one with installation host restrictions, while a non-restricted module has no host installation restrictions and can operate as an independent system.

3► PC I Certification/PC II Certification: Certification for Class I and Class II changes. When certified products undergo different changes, these changes are handled during certification, generally following these two types of change methods.

FCC Test Items

1► Conducted Emission;

2► Radiation Spurious Emission;

3► Conducted Peak Output Power, Limit: ≤21 dBm or 30 dBm;

4► 20dB Occupied Bandwidth, Limit: None;

5► Carrier Frequencies Separation, Limit: >25 kHz or > two-thirds of the 20 dB bandwidth;

6► Hopping Channel Number, Limit: ≥15 channels;

7► Dwell Time, Limit: <0.4 s;

8► Band Edge;

9► Antenna Requirement.

FCC Certification Process

1► Device manufacturers should authorize testing laboratories to apply for an FCC grantee code.

2► FCC sends the grantee code to the device manufacturer.

3► Device manufacturers submit their devices to accredited testing laboratories for evaluation.

4► Testing laboratories test the devices according to appropriate standards.

5► Once testing is successful, the testing laboratory will create a detailed test report and submit it to the FCC.

6► The FCC will respond to the certification request within 8-12 weeks.

FCC Certification Materials

1► User Manual

2► Block Diagram

3► Operation Description

4► Circuit Schematic

5► RF Modulation

6► Rated Power Declaration

7► TCB Form 731

8► POA

9► FCC Confidential Letter

FCC Certification Processing Time

The FCC certification time for connected devices is 3-5 weeks. To accelerate this process, the FCC has authorized multiple private organizations to issue certifications. By cooperating with TCBs (Telecommunication Certification Bodies), FCC certification can be received within 1-2 weeks. For wireless products, such as Bluetooth headsets, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth mouse keyboards, Bluetooth controllers, etc., FCC-ID certification takes about 4 weeks.

IC Certification

IC is the abbreviation for Industry Canada, a Canadian government agency responsible for certification matters of electronic and electrical products entering the Canadian market. Similar to the FCC in the United States, IC currently only restricts electromagnetic interference. General regulations: only EMI is mandatory, and the certification methods are the same as FCC, which can include self-verification, declaration of conformity, and Certification.

ICID: CN (Company Number, up to 6 digits) UPW (Unique Product Number, up to 8 digits) can be applied for free, but a Canadian representative address must be provided.

The products it covers generally include: broadcasting and television equipment, information technology equipment, radio equipment, telecommunications equipment, engineering and medical equipment, etc.

Applicable Standards for IC Certification:

1► ICES-001: Analog devices

2► ICES-003: Digital terminal equipment

3► RS Series: Transmitting and receiving equipment

IC Certification Process:

1► Submit samples, application form, and related materials

2► Schedule testing

3► If the test fails, notify the customer to make corrections; if the test passes, compile a report and issue the certificate

4► Receive the certificate and report

IC Certification Materials:

1► Product manual

2► Circuit schematic, PCB diagram, block diagram

3► Business license

4► Organization code

5► Application form

6► Product photos

7► Samples

The IC certification cycle is 7 working days.

KCC Certification

KCC is a safety certification mark in South Korea and is a mandatory certification in the country. Domestic and foreign manufacturers must obtain South Korean safety certification before exporting electronic products to South Korea. For Bluetooth products, KCC is a mandatory certification for export to South Korea. It should be noted that besides the finished product KCC, if the product contains a battery or adapter, the battery and adapter also need KCC certification. If the product is high voltage, a customs code inquiry should be made to determine whether KCC certification is required.

KCC certification mainly assesses the following contents: EMC, RF EMC, RF, SAR, etc., with major tests including radiation, electrostatic, conduction, radio frequency, and other projects. 

The KCC certification cycle in South Korea is 4-5 weeks. Fixed-frequency prototypes require 2-4 units, regular samples 1-2 units. Additionally, it should be noted that products such as Bluetooth speakers and headphones generally have built-in lithium batteries, and the batteries need to pass KCC certification. 

KCC Certification Process 

1► Applicant submits an application 

2► Submit product information 

3► Provide samples 

4► Certificate issuance 

5► Factory inspection 

Note: For self-regulatory (voluntary) certification, the certificate can be obtained immediately without a factory inspection. The certificate is valid for 5 years. 

KCC Certification Materials 

1► Relevant application forms 

2► Product labels 

3► Product manuals 

4► List of components 

5► List of derived models 

6► Circuit diagrams and layout 

7► Component certificates 

8► Specifications for transformers, inductors, etc. 

9► CB certificate and report (if available) 

In addition, attention should also be paid to factory inspection issues. The 'Korean Safety Law' stipulates that after accepting the application, the factory must undergo the first factory inspection. After the certificate is authorized, the certification body conducts an annual follow-up inspection of the factory each year. The main purpose is to check the consistency of the factory’s quality control system and whether it continues to comply with the standards of the 'Safety Law'.

TELEC Certification

Exporting wireless products to Japan (Bluetooth products, mobile phones, WiFi routers, drones, etc.) requires TELEC certification. TELEC certification is a mandatory product certification in Japan. Wireless electronic products have always received high attention in the Japanese market, and wireless products must pass TELEC certification to be sold in Japan.

Main TELEC Certification Tests

1► Frequency Error Measurement;

2► Occupied Bandwidth and Spread-spectrum Bandwidth/Factor Measurement;

3► Unwanted Emission Intensity Measurement;

4► Antenna Power Error Measurement;

5► Limitation of Collateral Emission of Receiver Measurement;

6► Transmission Antenna Gain (EIRP Antenna Power) Measurement;

7► Transmission Radiation Angle Width 3dB Bandwidth Measurement;

8► Duty Cycle Measurement;

9► Retention Time Measurement;

10► Radio Interference Prevention Capability & Carrier Sense Capability Measurement.

TELEC Certification Materials

1► System Block Diagram

2► System Schematic

3► User Manual

4► Operational Description

5► BOM (Bill of Materials)

6► Module Schematic

7► Module Block Diagram

8► Module Specification

9► ISO 9001 Certificate of Manufacturer

10► Label Location and Label Sample Drawing or Photos

11► Antenna Specification: including antenna name, antenna type, maximum antenna gain, antenna measurement diagram, antenna appearance, and dimension drawing.

Note: All the materials provided above must be in English or Japanese.

RCM Certification

RCM (Regulatory Compliance Mark) is a registered mark indicating that the supplier declares the product complies with the safety and other requirements stipulated by electrical safety laws/regulations in Australian states and New Zealand, and also meets the electromagnetic compatibility requirements specified by the Australian Radio Communications Act and the New Zealand Radio Communications Act. The RCM mark can only be used if the product complies with both electrical safety regulations and EMC regulations. This mark is a trademark owned by regulatory authorities in Australia and New Zealand, indicating that the product meets both safety and EMC requirements, and its use is not mandatory.

RCM Certification Requirements

1► SAA certification and C-Tick certification will be gradually phased out and replaced by RCM certification, which covers both safety regulations and EMC (C-Tick may still apply to some low-power wireless products).

2► All electronic products will be divided into three categories: High, Medium, Low Risk. Generally speaking, battery-powered products and products with voltage below 12V are low-risk, products with standard voltage of 240V are medium-risk, and high-voltage products are high-risk. The transition period for low-risk products is 6 months, and for medium and high-risk products it is 3 years (this period is recommended by relevant Australian associations, but the government has not yet finalized it in law).

3► RCM certification can only be applied for by companies based in Australia, and the company must apply to the Australian government for an RCM number. Chinese manufacturers and exporters can apply for IEC or AS/NZS reports in their own name, but these reports must be submitted by the Australian importer to apply for RCM.

4► According to experts, since the importer will bear the risk of non-compliance in product quality (as the responsible party) and non-Australian companies cannot directly apply for RCM certification, it is expected that more and more relatively large Australian companies will change their practice of letting Chinese manufacturers bear the cost of report production and SAA application to reduce expenses. They will tend to designate laboratories with some capability and reputation to provide reliable reports and test data, and then they will apply for Australian RCM certification themselves.

5► In theory, Australian laboratories can also act as applicants to help a company obtain RCM certification. However, according to experts, due to the significant legal responsibility, it is expected that most Australian laboratories will not voluntarily take this risk, and even if they do, the related costs may be relatively high.

RCM Certification Application Process

1► A third-party laboratory evaluates the product to determine the testing standards to be implemented;

2► If any non-conformities are found during testing, the laboratory will rectify the product to comply with and meet Australian standards;

3► After passing the tests, a test report is issued;

4► Submit the test report to the Australian certification body for document review;

5► Upon approval by the Australian authority, the RCM certificate is issued;

6► The customer can either register on the Australian website by themselves or have the laboratory complete the registration.