[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50923-50926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21960]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0057]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No 
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a 
collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a 
valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before December 
10, 2018. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but 
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this 
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Nicole Ongele at (202) 418-2991.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    OMB Control Number: 3060-0057.
    Title: Application for Equipment Authorization, FCC Form 731.

[[Page 50924]]

    Form Number: FCC Form 731.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents and Responses: 11,291 respondents; 24,851 
responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8.11 hours (rounded up).
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting requirement and third-
party disclosure requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. 
Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in the 
47 U.S.C. 154(i), 301, 302, 303(e), 303(f) and 303(r).
    Total Annual Burden: 201,450 hours.
    Total Annual Costs: $50,110,000.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: The personally identifiable 
information (PII) in this information collection is covered by a 
Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA), Equipment Authorizations Records and 
Files Information System. It is posted at: https://www.fcc.gov/general/privacy-act-information#pia.
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Minimal exemption from the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) under 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4) and FCC 
rules under 47 CFR 0.457(d) is granted for trade secrets which may be 
submitted as attachments to the application FCC Form 731. No other 
assurances of confidentiality are provided to respondents.
    Needs and Uses: The Commission will submit this revised information 
collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after this 60-
day comment period to obtain the three-year clearance. There is an 
increase in respondents/burden cost estimates to reflect the increased 
complexity of devices subject to the Commission rules and costs 
associated with testing by third-party test firms and review by 
Telecommunications Certification Bodies. At the same time the changes 
in system and consolidation of different information collection 
projects a reduction of burden hours.
    The Commission is seeking a revision of the Equipment Authorization 
information collection because of a redesign of the electronic system 
that collects the information (Equipment Authorization System) that 
streamlines the processes for filing the information associated with 
applications for equipment Certification pursuant to subpart J of part 
2 of the Commission rules. The new electronic system also allows the 
Commission to consolidate and combine information that is currently 
authorized separately.\1\ The system is designed to process all data 
collection electronically and will eliminate repetitive information 
collection within applications and will permit parties to reference 
previously submitted information at the time of equipment authorization 
application. The justification has been revised to represent the 
updated information collected from different parties, to note that 
previously submitted information can be referenced in individual 
applications and to project the updated costs associated with testing 
the more complex devices that predominate the current environment.
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    \1\ The revised collection will include the information 
collection previously authorized under OMB 3060-0398 (Secs. 2.948, 
2.949 except for Section 15.117(g)(2)).
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    The Commission rules require manufacturers of certain radio 
frequency (RF) equipment \2\ to obtain equipment authorization approval 
prior to marketing their equipment. Manufacturers may then market their 
RF equipment based on a showing of compliance with the applicable 
technical standards. The Commission typically adopts or modifies its 
technical standards in response to new technologies and in conjunction 
with changes to spectrum allocations. Under the equipment authorization 
rules there are two types of authorization processes: Certification and 
Suppliers Declaration of Conformity. The technical rules for the 
services in which the equipment is proposed to operate will specify 
which type of equipment authorization must be obtained before the 
equipment can be marketed. This information collection is specific for 
equipment subject to Certification. Appendix A of this statement 
provides the current list of rules that require Certification. 
Applications for Certification are submitted on FCC Form 731.\3\
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    \2\ See Section 2.803 (47 CFR 2.803). The kinds of equipment 
that are being marketed include devices such as cellular telephones, 
tablets, remote control devices and scanning devices. However, the 
types of equipment that are manufactured may change in response to 
changing technologies and new spectrum allocations made by the 
Commission.
    \3\ The information collection for Suppliers Declaration for 
conformity is authorized under OMB 3060-0636.
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    Accordingly, this information collection applies to RF equipment 
that:
    (a) Is currently manufactured, or may be manufactured in the 
future, and
    (b) operates under varying technical standards.
    A party (e.g., an RF equipment manufacturer) seeking device 
Certification pursuant to Sec.  2.911 must first obtain a grantee code. 
This is a one-time application, as the party may use the same grantee 
code in all of its subsequent equipment authorization applications. The 
party provides its contact information and the FCC Registration Number 
(FRN) to obtain the grantee code on the Grantee Code Application web 
page of FCC Form 731.\4\ A grantee code is assigned pursuant to Sec.  
2.926(c) of the Commission rules, and any information changes (as 
described in Sec.  2.929) must be updated on the electronic system.
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    \4\ Information collection for FCC Registration Number is 
authorized under OMB 3060-0917.
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    A party seeking device Certification is required to submit its 
application to an FCC-recognized Telecommunications Certification Body 
(TCB). The FCC recognizes TCBs pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.960 and 2.962. 
TCBs must be designated by appropriate designating authorities in the 
United States or through a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) for 
foreign countries where an MRA is in place, pursuant to Sec.  2.960. A 
TCB's designation is only recognized when it is supported by an 
accrediting organization meeting the requirements specified in Sec.  
2.960(c). Information about the TCBs including their scope of 
responsibilities pursuant to Sec.  2.962, the TCB accrediting body 
(TCBA) and the TCB designating authority (TDA) is submitted by the 
parties on the specific web pages of FCC Form 731. The information 
about a TCB, TCBA or TDA is only collected when a new entity is added 
or there is a change in the scope of the entity responsibilities. The 
information is used for verification and validation when a TCB submits 
information indicating approval of the application for grant of 
Certification.
    TCBs have flexibility in the format they use to collect information 
for application for equipment Certification--e.g. they may require 
applicants to submit the required information in a format that mirrors 
FCC Form 731, or they may opt to use a customized format. In all cases, 
the information required is governed by the procedural rules in Part 2 
and a showing of compliance with the FCC technical standards for the 
specific type of equipment that is the subject of the application.
    TCBs process application as follows:
    (i) The TCB receives and reviews the information submitted by the 
party seeking Certification of an RF device.
    (ii) The TCB enters the information on the appropriate FCC Form 731 
web page. The TCB submits the final recommendation on the disposal of 
the application. If the recommendation is to authorize the grant, a 
grant of certification is published through the system. If the 
recommendation is not to approve, this decision is noted in the system.

[[Page 50925]]

    All applications for Certification require the product to be tested 
for rules compliance by measurement test firms (TF) accredited by test 
firm accreditation bodies (TFAB) that have been recognized by the FCC 
(see Sec. Sec.  2.948 and 2.949, respectively). TF and TFAB information 
is submitted through FCC Form 731 web pages for such information for 
verification and validation when the TCB reviews the application. The 
information collection for TF and TFAB is currently approved under OMB 
3060-0398, but is being included in this revision.
    An application for Certification must contain the following data, 
as is specified in Sec.  2.1033:
     Information about the Grantee or their agents submitting 
the application on the Grantee's behalf.
     Information specific to the equipment including FCC 
Identifier, equipment class, technical specifications, etc.
     Attachments that demonstrate compliance with FCC rules may 
include any combination of the following based on the applicable FCC 
rule parts for the equipment for which authorization is requested:
    [cir] Identification of equipment (Sec.  2.925);
    [cir] Attestation statements that may be required for specific 
equipment;
    [cir] External photos;
    [cir] Block diagram of the device;
    [cir] Schematics;
    [cir] Test Report;
    [cir] Test Setup Photos;
    [cir] User's Manual;
    [cir] Internal Photos;
    [cir] Parts List/Tune Up Information;
    [cir] RF Exposure Information;
    [cir] Operational Description;
    [cir] Cover Letters;
    [cir] Software Defined Radio/Cognitive Radio Files;
    [cir] Pre-approval guidance correspondence with TCB; and
    [cir] Pre-approval inquiry correspondence with applicant
    Applications for devices subject to multiple rule parts or to 
different requirements within the same rule part can be included in a 
single submission that provides whatever additional relevant 
information is necessary to show compliance with additional 
requirements. Applications subject to pre-approval guidance pursuant to 
Sec.  2.964 must include the guidance correspondence.
    Applications for devices operating under certain service rules (as 
specified in Sec.  2.1033) must also include information specified in 
the rule parts.\5\ This documentation, as well as any other information 
that demonstrates conformance with FCC Rules, may range from 100 to 
1,000 pages, and is essential to control potential interference to 
radio communications. The FCC may use this information to investigate 
complaints of harmful interference.
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    \5\ See 47 CFR Sections 2.1033(b)(9)-(14), 2.1033(c)(13)-(21) 
and 2.1033(d).
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    The decision on the grant of application is made on the Equipment 
Authorization System electronically pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.915, 2.917 
or 2.919. A Certification is subject to the limitations under Sec.  
2.927 and the grantee is responsible for ongoing compliance including 
record retention pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.931, 2.937 and 2.938.
    The grantee is responsible to ensure that the device continues to 
comply with the rules. Device changes will require a new application 
for Certification pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.932 and 2.933, unless they 
can be classified as permissive changes under the rules for Class II or 
III permissive changes, as specified in Sec.  2.1043(b). For a 
permissive change, the grantee is required to file supplementary 
information explaining the changes and must provide updated test 
information to a TCB for review. The TCB will then submit the data on 
the FCC Form 731 web pages for permissive changes. The only data 
required is that which supports the compliance of the changed 
functions. For changes which are considered Class I under Sec. Sec.  
2.1043(b) or 2.924 no further submissions are necessary although the 
applicant is responsible for keeping records of the changes.
    Information on the procedures for equipment authorization 
applications can be obtained from the internet at: https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/laboratory-division/general/equipment-authorization.

Appendix A

             Rule Parts Referencing Equipment Certification
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   Rule sections (47 CFR)                      Reference
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2.911, 2.1033...............  Applications.
11.34.......................  EAS Equipment acceptability for filing.
15.201......................  Equipment Authorization Requirements.
18.203......................  Equipment Authorization.
20.19(b)....................  HAC Requirements.
20.21(e)(2).................  Signal Boosters.
22.377......................  Certification of transmitters.
24.51.......................  Equipment Authorization (including 24.52
                               RF Hazards).
25.129......................  Equipment Authorization for portable earth-
                               station transceivers.
27.51.......................  Equipment Authorization (including 27.52
                               RF Safety).
30.201......................  Equipment Authorization (30.201(c) refers
                               to verification).
74.451......................  Certification of equipment--remote pickup.
74.750......................  Low Power TV (type notified).
74.851......................  Certification of equipment--LPAS.
80.203......................  Authorization of transmitters--maritime
                               services (special manual or other type
                               approval requirements).
87.147......................  Authorization of equipment--Aviation.
90.203......................  Certification required--Private land
                               mobile radio.
95.335......................  Operation of non-certified transmitters
                               prohibited--Personal Radio Service.
95.361......................  Transmitter Certification--Personal Radio
                               Service.
95.561......................  FRS transmitter certification.
95.761......................  RCRS transmitter certification.
95.961......................  CBRS transmitter certification.
95.1761.....................  GMRS transmitter certification.
95.1951.....................  Certification--200 MHz.

[[Page 50926]]

 
95.2161.....................  LPRS transmitter certification.
95.2361.....................  WMTS transmitter certification.
95.2561.....................  MedRadio transmitter certification.
95.2761.....................  MURS transmitter certification.
95.2961.....................  PLB and MSLD transmitter certification.
95.3161.....................  OBU transmitter certification.
95.3361.....................  Certification--76-81GHz Radar service.
96.49.......................  Equipment Authorization CBRS.
97.315......................  Certification of external RF power
                               amplifiers--Amateur Radio.
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Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-21960 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P