Standards and Certifications

Click on an Issue below to jump or scroll down to read the entire article.

1. What does the term "certification" refer to when used in reference to PC products?
2. What is FCC certification?
3. What is DoC?
4. What is the UL Mark?
5. What is CE certification?
6. What are Safety Regulations MPR II and TCO?
7. What is the CSA certification?
8. What are the ISO standards referred to by PC manufacturers?
9. What is ISO 9000?
10. What is ISO 9001?
11. What is ISO 9002?
12. What is ISO 9003?
13. What is ISO 9004?
14. What does the Designed for Windows NT and Windows 95 Logo mean?
15. What is PC 97?
16. Explain operating system certifications.

Manufacturers use the certification process to assure customers of the quality of their product. After a product has passed the certification tests of a particular standards authority, the manufacturer is allowed to label it with a distinguishing mark as proof the product was tested and rated by the standards authority. For instance, when a product has received UL certification, it can carry the UL Mark, which is a symbol consumer’s look for when determining the quality of a product. In the case of operating system certifications, the software companies authorize makers of compatible hardware to label the hardware with special logos that indicate the hardware is certified to run with their operating systems. Consumers rely heavily on certifications to determine the quality of products, and, therefore, PC hardware manufacturers are willing to invest millions of dollars in the process of having their products certified by the world’s major product safety authorities and operating system companies.

Back to Top

The FCC should rate computer components and systems before they are released for sale. The rating process is usually the responsibility of the manufacturer. For instance, before AOpen releases a new PC system for sale, the entire system is submitted to the FCC for rating. FCC rating (Class A or Class B) should be listed on the specification sheet or box of each product a manufacturer sells. Many customers, especially large corporate customers, will only accept FCC rated systems.

Back to Top

The Federal Communications Commission had adopted new rules to relax the equipment authorization requirements for personal computers and personal computer peripherals from FCC certification to new self-authorization process based on a manufacturer’s or supplier’s Declaration of Conformity with FCC standards for limiting radio frequency (RF) emissions. The new rules permit manufacturers and suppliers of personal computers and personal computer peripherals to put a product on the market after testing it to ensure compliance and including a "Declaration of Conformity" (DoC) in the literature furnished with the equipment without having to submit an application for equipment authorization and await FCC approval.

Back to Top

To determine if a product has been certified by UL, check for the UL Mark on the product itself, not the packaging or store display. Only products that have been evaluated by UL and found to meet their safety standards are eligible to carry the UL Mark.

Back to Top

CE certification refers to a product’s eligibility to be sold in the EU, which is short for European Union. The trading region defined by the EU is called the European Economic Area (EEA). If a PC manufacturer wants to sell their products to any of the countries in the European Economic Area they must obtain CE certification: this law has been in effect since January 1996. CE certified products are identified by the CE Mark. A product bearing the CE Mark has been tested to all of the relevant standards that the EU demands. The purpose of CE certification is to form one body of product safety regulations that can be used to protect all the citizens living and working within the EEA. This harmonization of regulations allows manufacturers to sell products to all of the countries in the EEA with the only limitation being the requirement that each product carry the CE Mark.

Back to Top

The Swedish Tjanstemannens Central Organizations set TCO in 1991. This standard is even more severe than MPR II, especially for alternating electric field (AEF). The TCO standard is double severe since not only are the permitted field levels reduced compared with MPR II, but so too is the measuring distance.

Back to Top

CSA certification indicates a product has been evaluated under the CSA’s formal system and that it complies with applicable standards. Products are labeled as CSA certified with the CSA Mark: only products that have been certified by the CSA are allowed to carry the mark.

Back to Top

ISO is short for International Standards Organization. Founded in 1946, ISO is an international organization composed of national standards bodies from over 75 countries. For example, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a member of ISO. ISO has defined a number of important computer standards, the most significant of which is perhaps OSI (Open Systems Interconnection), a standardized architecture for designing networks. The ISO also developed standards for ensuring the quality of manufactured goods; computer manufacturers as indications of the quality of their products often cite compliance with these standards. These standards are quality models, which can be used by customers to evaluate the capability of a supplier to consistently deliver quality products and services. The ISO standards most often cited by computer manufacturers as indications of the quality of the processes are listed below.

Back to Top

This term is used to represent the ISO family of standards. ISO 9000 provides guidelines and documents describing the process and the various ISO standards.

Back to Top

ISO 9001 is the most comprehensive level of certification. Companies that are ISO 9001 certified develop, manufacture, install, and service their products to strict guidelines.

Back to Top

This is a subset of the ISO 9001 standard. This standard defines manufacturing quality standards but does not define engineering standards.

Back to Top

This is the quality system model for final inspection and testing of products. A company that functions solely as an inspector of products would apply for this standard.

Back to Top

This only provides guidelines and documents on the standard level you should select.

Back to Top

For hardware, it means that a system or peripheral has been tested for compatibility with the Microsoft Windows® family of operating systems – Windows® NT and/or Windows® 95.

Back to Top

PC 97 Hardware Design Guide is a Microsoft® document that provides the design guidelines for PC systems that are optimized to run Windows® 95 and Windows® NT 4.0 and future versions of these operating systems.

Back to Top

Microsoft® offers certification for Windows® 95 and Windows® NT. For Microsoft’s® and Novell’s® network operating systems, certification is divided into two categories: server applications and workstation applications.

Back to Top