Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Fiscal Year 2022 Agency Report

1. Please provide a summary of your agency’s activities undertaken to carry out the 

provisions of OMB Circular A-119, “Federal Participation in the Development and Use 

of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities” and the 

National Technology Transfer and Advance Act (NTTAA). The summary should 

contain a link to the agency’s standards-specific website(s) where information about 

your agency’s standards and conformity assessment related activities are available.

Summary

The FCC references many standards in support of the Commission’s regulatory 

responsibilities. These standards, referenced in the FCC rules, range from referencing 

measurement methods and conformity assessment procedures to radio carriage requirements 

for oceangoing vessels to promote safety of life. In addition, standards are used to promote 

compatibility between radios and to achieve coordination among Commission licensees. In 

all cases, the Commission, through its public rulemaking process, has proposed and adopted 

voluntary consensus standards (e.g., ANSI, IEEE, 3GPP, etc.) under which licensees and 

permitees must operate and under which it carries out conformity assessment activities.

Voluntary Consensus Standards Examples

For example, the Hearing Aid Compatibility Report and Order (FCC 21-28) amended 

Section 20.19 of the commission rules by adopting the C63® Accredited Standards 

Committee’s standard for “Compatibility between wireless handsets and Hearing Aids” 

version ANSI C63.19-2019 to replace ANSI C63.19-2011. The updated C63® project 

started in 2015 and was approved by the C63® standards committee in 2019. The ANSI 

C63.19-2019 standard was adopted by the commission in June 2021 to include improvements 

for VOIP cellular IP networks, better user experience for hearing aids with t-coil, and adding 

volume control to improve voice performance for persons with hearing aids and persons who 

are hard-of-hearing who do not use hearing aids. The order FCC 21-28 established a 

transition period to allow cellular handsets to continue to use the ANSI C63.19-2011 

standard up to June 4th, 2023. After that time, cellular handsets that are hearing aid 

compatible must meet the ANSI C63.19-2019 standard.

Another example is the successful use of the Telecommunications Industry Association 

Telecommunications System Bulletin 10-F, "Interference Criteria for Microwave Systems." 

This standard, referenced within several Commission rule parts has become the cornerstone 

for applicants and licensees to successfully coordinate the use of microwave communications 

systems. 

Also, on October 2, 2017 the European standard for wireless microphones ETSI EN 300 422-

1 V1.4.2 (2011-08): “Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM); 

Wireless Microphones in the 25 MHz to 3 GHz frequency range; Part 1: Technical 

characteristics and methods of measurement, was incorporated by reference in Section 15.38 

of the FCC rules. This standard is used for the evaluation of the out-of-band emissions of 

wireless microphones.
When making measurements to demonstrate compliance with the FCC rules it is required to 

use the appropriate measurement methods as specified in the applicable section of the FCC 

rules. For example, for Part 15 devices see Section 15.31 for a list of required measurement 

standards. Other measurement procedures that have been found acceptable by the 

Commission, in accordance with Section 2.947, may also be used. See Measurement 

Procedures and 47 CFR Section 2.947.

Conformity Assessment. 

Radio Frequency (RF) devices are required to be properly authorized under 47 CFR Part 2 

prior to being marketed or imported into the United States. The Office of Engineering and 

Technology (OET) administers the equipment authorization program under the authority 

delegated to it by the Commission. This program is one of the principal ways the 

Commission ensures that RF devices used in the United States operate effectively without 

causing harmful interference and otherwise comply with the Commission’s rules. All RF 

devices subject to equipment authorization must comply with the Commission’s technical 

requirements prior to importation or marketing. See Equipment Authorization Approval 

Guide

2. Please list the government-unique standards (GUS) your agency began using in lieu 

of voluntary consensus standards during FY 2021. Please note that GUS which are still 

in effect from previous years should continue to be listed, thus the total number in your 

agency's report will include all GUS currently in use (previous years and new as of this 

FY): 0