Question: Can an entity without
a US representative file for Part 68 approval using the
SDoC filing procedures?
Answer:
Pursuant to the recently released Order on Reconsideration
in CC Docket No. 99-216, FCC 02-103, Released April 10,
2002, Responsible Parties utilizing the SDoC method are
no longer required to be physically located in the U.S.A.
However, they must designate an Agent for Service for process
that is physically located in the U.S.A.
Question: How can
a manufacturer apply for RPC? What Kind of information needs
to be provided?
Answer:
Responsible parties can file for a RPC using the ACTA
Online Filing (AOF) system or by mailing their request to
the ACTA Secretariat using the TTE Submission Form. In the
submission form items #4, 5, 8, & 14 need to be completed.
Item 14, Filing Status, should state "Request for RPC".
Question: After ACTA receives
the SDoC application package from the supplier, will ACTA
grant approval?
Answer:
ACTA does not grant "approval". ACTA will
take the package, ensure all requested items are included,
and include the product information in the database of approved
Terminal Equipment. Under a SDoC, the Responsible Party
"approves" the product.
Question: How long does the
process take?
Answer:
The ACTA database will be updated to include new
information typically within 7-10 days.
Question: What will the certification
number look like?
Answer:
Refer to TIA/EIA TSB-168 Telecommunications-Telephone
Terminal Equipment Labeling Requirements, June, 2001.
Question: For filing utilizing
TCB, can an organization submit several approved equipment
information in one CD every week or every two weeks instead
of submitting each approved equipment information in a CD?
Answer:
Yes! Note, however, product information will not
be added to the database until the CD is received.
Question: What is the procedure
for submitting FCC Part 68 application/report to ACTA?
Answer:
Refer to Guidelines & Procedures for submitting
information to ACTA on the ACTA website at http://www.part68.org.
Question: Can a TCB file
a SDoC for an applicant who is the responsible party?
Answer:
A TCB can submit information about a "certified"
product (on behalf of their client), or act as an "authorized
submitter" for a Responsible Party's SDoC.
Question: Is it possible
to apply for an RPC and file the required information at
the same time, if so, how much is it?
Answer:
No. An RPC must be assigned before submitting
an Original filing. The cost for an RPC is $825.00 The Original
filing will also be $825.00.
Question: Do applicants
who have previously registered terminal equipment through
the FCC need to file for an RPC or can they use their applicant
code?
Answer:
Previously registered manufacturers can
use their FCC CCB assigned applicant code. Also know as
a Grantee Code.
Question: Since the FCC is
no longer in charge of the technical criteria, who should
companies contact for questions regarding technical criteria?
Answer:
The technical criteria adopted by ACTA for product
approval is available (for a single copy download) on the
ACTA website. Questions regarding the criteria should be
sent to the Standards Development Organization (SDO) that
submitted the criteria, a TCB, or the TCB Council.
Question: When filing, does
the old 730 form previously used by the FCC still apply?
Are there any new forms?
Answer:
The ACTA has created a form for submitting information
separate from the FCC 730 form. The form can be downloaded
from the ACTA web site.
Question: Which criterion
needs to be followed when filing the ACTA criterion or the
old FCC criterion?
Answer:
ACTA-adopted criteria needs to be followed going
forward. However, as required by the FCC, ACTA's initial
criteria is identical to the current FCC Part 68 Rules;
with the exception of Stutter Dial Tone and ADSL waivers.
Copies of the documents are available on the ACTA website.
Question: Is the adobe.pdf
format the only acceptable format when submitting? Is it
expected to be multiple files organized by headings (Application
form, report etc..) or is it expected to be one large file?
Answer:
The adobe.pdf format is the preferred format for submissions.
Multiple files are requested given that certain files/items
are required to be submitted only once. These files will
be "stored off" for reference purposes only.
Question: Under the new provisions
for Part 68 registration through SDoC to ACTA, how is continuing
compliance addressed?
Answer:
Responsible Party's must retain test results, description
of test procedures, analyses, evaluations, quality control
standards and quality assurance standards necessary to demonstrate
that the terminal equipment complies with and will continue
to comply with all the applicable technical criteria.
Question: I am Having problems
downloading technical criteria from ACTA's website. It tells
me that I am already registered.
Answer:
The downloading capability of ACTA is provided without
any warranty of any kind. In no event will ACTA be liable
for any loss of profits, use, or savings; or for any damage
or expenses incurred; by any person, whether direct, special,
incidental, or consequential, arising out of the provisions,
use of or related to the use of or inability to use the
service or information. Official copies of the technical
criteria can be obtained through the standards organization
that submitted the specification.
Question: After sending in
the file, whether using the TCB or SDoC route, and all essential
items are included, will ACTA send a feedback to the Responsible
Party?
Answer:
The ACTA Secretariat will issue a confirmation notice
via Email to the Authorized Submitter and/or Responsible
Party typically within 7-10 days. Contact the ACTA Secretariat
if an Email is not received.
Question: Re-sellers of TTE
products want to remove certain information from an existing
FCC registered/approved product's label; namely the Grantee's
Name.
Answer:
Products registered/approved under the FCC approval
structure should continue to comply with all the requirements
pertaining to its approval; including product-labeling requirements.
Product-label information can be changed to the ACTA-adopted
labeling scheme (which grants parties greater flexibility
in the product-label information) by filing a re-approval
notice.
Question: What is the nature
and continued use of TCB codes.
Answer:
The FCC Common Carrier Bureau (CCB) unofficially
issued Part 68 Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCB)
a unique code for database maintenance and tracking purposes
only. Use of the TCB codes must continue to ensure the ACTA
and FCC databases remain alike as the FCC is continually
providing updates to the central database during this transitional
period. TCB codes are used to link a TCB to its database
entries. A list of codes is available on request.
Question: The ACTA Secretariat
has requested that filing fees be payable by check. Parties
are requesting acceptance of other methods.
Answer:
While electronic payment will be available once web-based
filings are implemented, in the interim, payment should
be by check. An alternative method of payment is bank-to-bank
electronic transfers. Parties wishing to pursue this method
can contact the ACTA Secretariat for account-routing information.
Parties using this service must pay for the service (i.e.,
~$12 transfer fee).
Question: Are Responsible
Parties acting only as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
required to (directly) maintain a US Service Center?
Answer:
While a Responsible Party is not required to directly
control or maintain a US Service Center, identification
of a Service Center for the Product is required.
Question: Are parties filing
with ACTA to revise/update previously registered products
required to submit all items currently specified by ACTA;
e.g., Indemnification & Liability Statement, and a Supplier's
Declaration of Conformity or TCB Certificate?
Answer:
Parties modifying and/or expanding the registration
'umbrella' of previously approved products shall declare
(via the SDoC method) or have a TCB certify that the products
comply with the relevant Part 68 rules and/or ACTA-adopted
technical criteria. Parties utilizing the SDoC method must
provide the SDoC with the modified and/or additional products,
in accordance with the FCC R&O.
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