TCB Code of Practice

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TCB Code of Practice
Art Wall awall_at_atlanticbb.net
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Overview

• Introduction
• Shortened version of the Code
• Review of the Code
• Summary

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Introduction

• A TCB is designated by the FCC and in fact
  represents the FCC when it approves equipment
• A TCB has a responsibility to the FCC, public and
  manufacturer to provide quality service
• To perform this service, each member of the TCBC
  should agree to adhere to and be assessed to the
  Code
• The Code follows Guide 65 and FCC expectations
  and policies
• For the Code to be effective, support from the
  entire TCB community is required to benefit all
  stakeholders

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Shortened version of Code

1. Adherence to Guide 65 with emphasis on specific
   clauses
2. Publication of all TCB services and expectations
3. Signed agreement between the TCB and client
4. Complete application with appropriate statements
   from client
5. Reviewers and certifiers appropriately training
   and assessed for competence
6. Determining competence of a laboratory
7. TCB shall only certify equipment for which it has
   authority and competence
8. Complete quality reviews of applications for
   certification
9. Manufacturer statements regarding review of test
   data
10. TCB system to monitor quality and prevent errors
11. Reporting of undue pressure from clients
12. Internal TCB audits
13. Surveillance audits expectations
14. Application of Code to all scopes of
    accreditation

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Code 1 Guide 65

• A TCB shall follow and abide with all aspects of
  ISO/IEC Guide 65.including
• Fair, impartial and transparent treatment
• Establishing a mission statement
• Ensuring quality manual is accurate
• Notifying the AB of any changes within 30 days
• Ensuring that the laboratory is competent
• Ensuring that each evaluator and certifier is
  competent
• Avoidance of consulting activities

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Code 2 published list

• A TCB shall publish a list of all services,
  prices, timetables, expectations, etc. to be
  provided by the TCB ... the list shall be
  available to all perspective clients upon request

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Code 3 signed agreement

• The TCB shall have client sign an agreement that
  provides concise description of services,
  including
• Information to be included in the application
• Information re confidential
• Reasonable timetable for approval of equipment
• The need and costs for providing a sample for
  testing

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Code 4 complete application

• The TCB shall ensure that the application is
  complete, appropriately signed, and is in
  accordance with FCC Rules and policies and
  includes a statement that the application has
  not been submitted to another TCB

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Code 5 reviewer requirements

• A TCB shall ensure that each evaluator and
  certifier is appropriately assessed for
  competence by an auditor before he/she performs
  an evaluation or approval of equipment

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Code 6 laboratory competence

• The quality manual of a TCB shall include a
  procedure for determining competence of the lab
  submitting a test report.
• If the lab is not appropriately accredited, the
  TCB shall devise a procedure for determining its
  competence
• A TCB shall, to the extent possible, develop a
  method for educating its clients how to submit a
  quality application and test report

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Code 7 8 handling applications

• The TCB shall only certify devices for which it
  clearly has the authority and competence to
  evaluate a product
• The TCB shall perform a complete quality review
  of all aspects of an application the review
  shall follow the internal guidelines for
  reviewing the specific type of equipment

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Code 9 manufacturer statements

• A TCB shall ascertain that the manufacturer has
  reviewed and concurs with the test report and
  that the tests performed are reflective of the
  operation of the device subject to certification

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Code 10 monitoring errors

• The TCB shall be accurate and establish a system
  to monitor and prevent previous errors all
  complaints shall be documented and a course of
  action to avoid future complaints of the same
  type shall be incorporated into the quality
  manual, if warranted

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Code 11 Reporting of undue pressure from clients

• The TCB shall report undue pressure from a client
  to the FCC lab a client that hints at or in
  fact takes business elsewhere for other than
  normal business decisions (e.g., price quicker
  speed of service) is considered undue pressure
  thus violates FCC Rules and shall be reported to
  the FCC

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Code 12 internal audits

• The TCB shall perform an internal audit in
  accordance with the procedure outlined in TCBC
  Guidance document 06-01 for performing internal
  audits

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Code 13 surveillance audits

• The TCB shall document in its quality manual how
  it selects and performs sample surveillance
  audits all tests for which certification was
  granted shall be performed by the evaluator or
  certifier of the equipment

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Code 14 Code applied to all scopes

• The TCB shall apply this Code to all scopes of
  accreditation both foreign and domestic

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Summary

• The Code is really nothing more than the
  application of Guide 65 and the FCC rules and
  policies.
• It is the hope of the TCBC that all TBC agree to
  adhere to the Code to improve the consistency and
  quality of the TCB program.
• It is also hope that accrediting organization use
  the code to improve consistency and quality of
  the program

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Thank You

• Art Wall
• Radio Regulatory Consultants, Inc.
• awall_at_atlanticbb.net
• 410-643-1649 (office)
• 410-924-1070 (cell)