Compliance

Certifications for Mobile Accessories: What Each Market Requires

CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH, UKCA, CCC, PSE, KC and UN38.3 — which approvals apply where, who holds the certificate, and how long it takes.

Certification is the part of a sourcing programme that most often decides the launch date — not design, not tooling. It starts after a production-representative sample exists, and for anything with a lithium cell or a radio it cannot be skipped.

Market by market

Market	Typically required
European Union	CE (EMC, safety, radio where applicable), RoHS, REACH, WEEE registration
United Kingdom	UKCA, UK responsible person, WEEE
United States	FCC (including FCC ID for radio), Proposition 65 where applicable
China	CCC for certain categories
Japan / Korea	PSE / KC
Any battery product, any market	UN38.3 test summary plus MSDS for transport

Who should hold the certificate

Your company. A test report issued in the factory's name is not an asset you can take elsewhere: change supplier and you test again. On a first order it is worth confirming, in writing, whose name appears on each document — this is the item most often discovered too late.

Batteries change the logistics, not just the paperwork

Any product with a lithium cell — power banks, wireless audio, stabilisers — is a dangerous good for transport. UN38.3 is the test; the practical consequences are that air freight requires a test summary and correct declaration, sea freight needs the right documentation, and packaging must carry the lithium battery mark. A supplier who cannot produce a current UN38.3 summary is a supplier who will cost you a delayed shipment.

Timing

• Test house queue — often the real constraint rather than the test itself. Book before the design is frozen.
• Sample readiness — the clock starts with a production-representative unit, not a prototype.
• Family applications — grouping models into one series reduces cost per SKU; decide the range structure before testing.
• Validity and changes — a component change can invalidate a report. Ask what triggers re-testing.

What we provide

CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH, UKCA, CCC, PSE and KC through accredited third-party laboratories, together with UN38.3 and MSDS for battery models, and the technical file needed to support an application in your own company's name. For market-specific requirements, see car charger OEM and USB-C fast charging.

Frequently asked

Can I use an existing certificate?

If it covers the same model and is in your company's name, yes. A report held by the factory does not transfer to you.

How long does it take?

Weeks for the test and often longer for the laboratory slot. Plan it at the start of the programme.

Does a colour change require re-testing?

Usually not for the housing colour alone, but a change to the electronics or the cell does. Confirm before the change.

Ask about certification