Testing and Certification for Consumer & Retail Products

The list of consumer products is very large, on top that the list of retail products and technologies is even larger. Just like other industries and technologies the certification regulation are mandatory to these products as well. Almost every appliance used in the household now have similar technologies seen in the high-tech sector including the wireless communications. As we first enter the driveway, the automated lights get engaged, automated doors open by themselves, security system get engaged/unengaged immediately, the front automated door security system disables as it senses the car and its occupants. The use of smart appliances and smart technologies has become very normal to our daily living.

The devices and technologies used in the home must be evaluated for potential interference, personnel safety, privacy, and security. The consumer & retail products also must meet the stringent regulations due to close personnel proximity. They are tested to product specific or in many cases to generic standards for emissions, immunity, radio certification, and electrical safety.  For example, the addition of television or wireless modules like Wi-Fi to a refrigerator, Near Field Communication devices (NFC) to a dryers/washing machines or Bluetooth to smart home devices have made testing and certification very important.

Some of these products include household appliances like refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, wireless chargers, electric heaters, TVs, electronic gadgets, laundry appliances, HVAC systems for heating and cooling and much more. For the US and Canadian markets, most consumer and retail products only require emissions measurements along with relevant safety or consumer product standard. All this before the product is placed on the market. For the European market both the immunity and the emissions are required as outlined in the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.

QAI’s testing and certification covers majority of consumer products as follows: