Electromagnetic waves of relatively low frequency are called radio waves. Radio waves are used in many areas that make our daily lives easier, including telecommunication and electronic equipment control. However, a radio wave, even if it is weak but emitted by many electronic devices at the same time, can cause problems such as interference with the synchronization of TV screens, noisy radio reception, or malfunctioning of electronic equipment such as computers. VCCI certification in Japan aims to promote the reduction of radio interference by its member electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers. What does the VCCI mark certify, and how can it be obtained?
What is a VCCI mark?
The Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment (VCCI) is a non-profit organization established in December 1985 by four industry associations in Japan:
- Japan Electronics Industry Development Association (JEIDA),
- Japan Business Machines Manufacturers Association (JBMA),
- Electronics Industry Association of Japan (EIAJ),
- Communications Industry Association of Japan (CIAJ).
With its standards, the VCCI has become a symbol of reliability in the information society, in which people can lead comfortable lives worry-free about electromagnetic interference from computers, fax machines, and the like. The VCCI mark certifies that the electronic equipment bearing it does not cause any interference, as the level of interference emissions it emits is controlled below acceptable standards.
Is the VCCI mark mandatory?
Although the VCCI mark is not a mandatory certification in Japan, it is a well-known indicator of high-quality standards.
How to obtain VCCI certification?
Those seeking to obtain the VCCI label on their products are required to:
- carry out tests on MME (multimedia equipment) to verify compliance with standards for the level of interference emissions from the equipment
- obtain test reports before the product is introduced to the Japanese market.
The compliance test must use measuring equipment registered with the VCCI Council in the VCCI-CISPR Technical Requirements Document 32, a list of which will be made available soon. In order to conduct the tests, you must first become a member of the Council. To become a member of the VCCI Council, send a form to the Council Secretariat.
Once the MME class has been designated and a report confirming compliance has been submitted (details of the procedures for registering product compliance are available on the official VCCI website), the applicant must send the product with the recommended marking on both the equipment and the user manual. The VCCI Council will carry out final market testing of the equipment submitted to confirm its compliance with VCCI regulations. A ‘Conformity Acceptance Report’ is then produced, which takes approximately one week to issue.
How is the product tested for VCCI certification?
The prototype product is tested in special radio anechoic chambers.
Does the VCCI mark expire?
VCCI Compliance Acceptance Report is not time-barred, and the VCCI certificate does not need to be renewed.
How much does it cost to get a VCCI mark?
The costs associated with registering the VCCI mark vary depending on the type of product. The estimated cost of a VCCI certificate ranges between 22,000 and 88,000 yen. A detailed price list is available on the organization’s website.
Check out other types of marks you may see on product packaging.