What is Regulatory Compliance and Why Should I Care?

Alphabet Soup for Everybody

If you look on the back of a computer, a television, a toaster, or even a child's teddy bear you will see agency approval markings. UL, CSA, TUV, FCC, CE, Good Housekeeping, and so forth. In fact it is almost impossible to find any manufactured product that isn't covered with mysterious jargon and symbols.

What's All That Stuff Mean?

Virtually all of the marks are there because of some regulation, or as evidence that a particular agency has approved the product. Electrical ratings, switch position markings, fuse rating, and reference ground symbols are all mandated by one or more regulatory agencies. These are standardized symbols that provide necessary information in a manner that is consistent across all industries and all types of product. Regulatory agencies who have inspected and approved different types of connectors mold their logo markings onto the side of these connections to certify compliance. Elsewhere are labels that show the product meets international requirements for electromagnetic (EM) emissions and immunity.

So What's the Point?

The point is product safety and reliability. Nearly every nation on Earth has some legislation that requires manufactured products to meet certain standards of safety, along with a certain expectation of product reliability. A safely designed product will not become hazardous if something goes wrong. A reliable product will work properly when installed in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

In addendum, safety regulations provide a uniform context for testing products, an objective means of evaluating the results, and a standardized set of markings to ensure safe operation of the product.

Reliability

All technical regulations require some evidence that all manufactured products will meet the same performance standards as the test units. Even the most reliable products benefit from enhanced manufacturing process control.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is at the heart of the 'reliability' aspect of the regulatory environment. The EMC regulations ensure that products do not generate excessive amounts of electromagnetic noise, and that electronic noise in the air and in the AC power mains does not adversely affect product operation.

EMC is generally little more than a nuisance. A device that radiates noise may cause static in nearby television or radio receivers, for example. But in some extreme examples, EMC can be deadly. The linked article illustrates the dangers of EMC emissions.

The Brighter Side

Through certification Sky-Skan has found proof positive of the reliability and safety of our products. In our initial tests at a state appointed CE testing facility, discoveries were made as to how useful the testing equipment truly was. We purchased the necessary equipment and set up our own lab. What we have found is that our historically reliable products (old and new) stand up to the rigors of this testing. As each member of our product line passes the tedium of CE regulations, we will announce them accordingly.

Sky-Skan's CE lab has also has become an invaluable tool to R&D. As we design new products, in-house testing allows us to ferret out potential product flaws, greatly improve development processes, and ultimately improve our superior designs.