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47 CFR Part 19 Subpart B (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR Part 19 Subpart B (Feb. 20, 2024)
Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.
Title 47 —Telecommunication
Chapter I —Federal Communications Commission
Subchapter A —General
Part 19 —Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7301; 47 U.S.C. 154 (b), (i), (j), and 303(r).
Source: 61 FR 56112, Oct. 31, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Subpart B Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
§ 19.735-201 Outside employment and other activity prohibited by the Communications Act.
§ 19.735-202 Financial interests prohibited by the Communications Act.
§ 19.735-203 Nonpublic information.
Subpart B—Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
§ 19.735-201 Outside employment and other activity prohibited by the Communications Act.
Under section 4(b) of the Communications Act, at 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A)(iv), no employee of the Commission may
be in the employ of or hold any official relation to any person significantly regulated by the Commission under that
Act. In addition, the Commissioners are prohibited by section 4(b) of the Communications Act, at 47 U.S.C.
154(b)(4), from engaging in any other business, vocation, profession, or employment.
Note: Under the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Federal
Communications Commission, at 5 CFR 3901.102, professional employees of the Commission
must obtain approval before engaging in the private practice of the same profession as that of the
employee's official position, whether or not for compensation.
§ 19.735-202 Financial interests prohibited by the Communications Act.
(a) No Commissioner shall have a pecuniary interest in any hearing or proceeding in which he participates.
(47 U.S.C. 154(j).)
(b)
(1) Section 4(b) of the Communications Act, at 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A), provides:
No member of the Commission or person employed by the Commission shall:
(i) Be financially interested in any company or other entity engaged in the manufacture or sale of
telecommunications equipment which is subject to regulation by the Commission;
(ii) Be financially interested in any company or other entity engaged in the business of communication by
wire or radio or in the use of the electromagnetic spectrum;
47 CFR 19.735-202(b)(1) (enhanced display) page 1 of 3
47 CFR Part 19 Subpart B (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 19.735-202(b)(2)
Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
(iii) Be financially interested in any company or other entity which controls any company or other entity
specified in clause (i) or clause (ii), or which derives a significant portion of its total income from
ownership of stocks, bonds, or other securities of any such company or other entity; or
(iv) Be employed by, hold any official relation to, or own any stocks, bonds, or other securities of, any
person significantly regulated by the Commission under this act; except that the prohibitions established
in this subparagraph shall apply only to financial interests in any company or other entity which has a
significant interest in communications, manufacturing, or sales activities which are subject to regulation
by the Commission.
(2) To determine whether an entity has a significant interest in communications related activities that
are subject to Commission regulations, the Commission shall consider, without excluding other
relevant factors, the criteria in section 4(b) of the Communications Act, at 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(3). These
criteria include:
(i) The revenues and efforts directed toward the telecommunications aspect of the business;
(ii) The extent of Commission regulation over the entity involved;
(iii) The potential economic impact of any Commission action on that particular entity; and
(iv) The public perception regarding the business activities of the company.
(3)
(i) Section 4(b) of the Communications Act, at 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(B)(i), permits the Commission
to waive the prohibitions at 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A). The Act's waiver provision at 47 U.S.C.
154(b)(2)(B)(i) provides:
The Commission shall have authority to waive, from time to time, the application of the prohibitions
established in subparagraph (A) of section 4(b) to persons employed by the Commission if the
Commission determines that the financial interests of a person which are involved in a particular
case are minimal, except that such waiver authority shall be subject to the provisions of section 208
of title 18, United States Code. The waiver authority established in this subparagraph shall not apply
with respect to members of the Commission.
(ii)
(A) Requests for waiver of the provisions of 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A) may be submitted by an
employee to the Head of the employee's Office or Bureau, who will endorse the request
with an appropriate recommendation and forward the request to the Designated Agency
Ethics Official. The Designated Agency Ethics Official has delegated authority to waive the
applicability of 47 U.S.C. 154(b)(2)(A).
(B) All requests for waiver shall be in writing and in the required detail. The dollar value for the
financial interest sought to be waived shall be expressed explicitly or in categories of
value provided at 5 CFR 2634.301(d).
(C) Copies of all waiver requests and the action taken thereon shall be maintained by the
Designated Agency Ethics Official. In any case in which the Commission exercises the
waiver authority established in section 4(b) of the Communications Act, the Commission
shall publish notice of such action in the FEDERAL REGISTER and shall furnish notice of such
47 CFR 19.735-202(b)(3)(ii)(C) (enhanced display) page 2 of 3
47 CFR Part 19 Subpart B (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 19.735-203
Employee Responsibilities and Conduct
action to the appropriate committees of each House of the Congress. Each such notice
shall include information regarding the identity of the person receiving the waiver, the
position held by such person, and the nature of the financial interests which are the
subject of the waiver.
§ 19.735-203 Nonpublic information.
(a) Except as authorized in writing by the Chairperson pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, or otherwise
as authorized by the Commission or its rules, nonpublic information shall not be disclosed, directly or
indirectly, to any person outside the Commission. Such information includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
(1) The content of agenda items (except for compliance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5
U.S.C. 552b); or
(2) Actions or decisions made by the Commission at closed meetings or by circulation prior to the public
release of such information by the Commission.
(b) An employee engaged in outside teaching, lecturing, or writing shall not use nonpublic information
obtained as a result of his or her government employment in connection with such teaching, lecturing, or
writing except when the Chairperson gives written authorization for the use of that nonpublic information
on the basis that its use is in the public interest.
(c) This section does not prohibit the disclosure of an official Commission meeting agenda listing titles and
summaries of items for discussion at an open Commission meeting. Also, this section does not prohibit
the disclosure of information about the scheduling of Commission agenda items.
(d) Any person regulated by or practicing before the Commission coming into possession of written
nonpublic information (including written material transmitted in electronic form) as described in
paragraph (a) of this section under circumstances where it appears that its release was inadvertent or
otherwise unauthorized shall promptly return the written information to the Commission's Office of the
Inspector General without further distribution or use of the written nonpublic information. Any person
regulated by or practicing before the Commission who willfully violates this section by failing to promptly
notify the Commission's Office of the Inspector General of the receipt of written nonpublic information
(including written material transmitted in electronic form) that he knew or should have known was
released inadvertently or in any otherwise unauthorized manner may be subject to appropriate sanctions
by the Commission. In the case of attorneys practicing before the Commission, such sanctions may
include disciplinary action under the provisions of § 1.24 of this chapter.
Note: Employees also should refer to the provisions of the Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch, at 5 CFR 2635.703, on the use of nonpublic information.
Additionally, employees should refer to § 19.735–107 of this part, which provides that employees
of the Commission who violate this part may be subject to disciplinary action which may be in
addition to any other penalty prescribed by law. As is the case with section 2635.703, this part is
intended only to cover knowing unauthorized disclosures of nonpublic information.
[61 FR 56112, Oct. 31, 1996, as amended at 65 FR 66185, Nov. 3, 2000; 88 FR 21439, Apr. 10, 2023]
47 CFR 19.735-203(d) (enhanced display) page 3 of 3
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47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR Part 68 (Feb. 20, 2024)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.
Title 47 —Telecommunication
Chapter I —Federal Communications Commission
Subchapter B —Common Carrier Services
Part 68 Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Subpart A General
§ 68.1 Purpose.
§ 68.2 Scope.
§ 68.3 Definitions.
§ 68.4 Hearing aid-compatible telephones.
§ 68.5 Waivers.
§ 68.6 Telephones with volume control.
§ 68.7 Technical criteria for terminal equipment.
Subpart B Conditions on Use of Terminal Equipment
§ 68.100 General.
§ 68.102 Terminal equipment approval requirement.
§ 68.105 Minimum point of entry (MPOE) and demarcation point.
§ 68.106 Notification to provider of wireline telecommunications.
§ 68.108 Incidence of harm.
§ 68.110 Compatibility of the public switched telephone network and terminal equipment.
§ 68.112 Hearing aid-compatibility.
§ 68.160 Designation of Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs).
§ 68.162 Requirements for Telecommunication Certification Bodies.
Subpart C Terminal Equipment Approval Procedures
§ 68.201 Connection to the public switched telephone network.
§ 68.211 Terminal equipment approval revocation procedures.
§ 68.213 Installation of other than “fully protected” non-system simple customer premises
wiring.
§ 68.214 Changes in other than “fully protected” premises wiring that serves fewer than four
subscriber access lines.
§ 68.215 Installation of other than “fully protected” system premises wiring that serves more
than four subscriber access lines.
§ 68.218 Responsibility of the party acquiring equipment authorization.
§ 68.224 Notice of non-hearing aid compatibility.
Subpart D Conditions for Terminal Equipment Approval
§ 68.300 Labeling requirements.
§ 68.316 Hearing aid compatibility: Technical requirements.
47 CFR Part 68 (Feb. 20, 2024) (enhanced display) page 1 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR Part 68 (Feb. 20, 2024)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.317 Hearing aid compatibility volume control: technical standards.
§ 68.318 Additional limitations.
§ 68.320 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
§ 68.321 Location of responsible party.
§ 68.322 Changes in name, address, ownership or control of responsible party.
§ 68.324 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity requirements.
§ 68.326 Retention of records.
§ 68.346 Description of testing facilities.
§ 68.348 Changes in equipment and circuitry subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
§ 68.350 Revocation of Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
§ 68.354 Numbering and labeling requirements for terminal equipment.
Subpart E Complaint Procedures
§§ 68.400-68.412 [Reserved]
§ 68.414 Hearing aid-compatibility: Enforcement.
§ 68.415 Hearing aid-compatibility and volume control informal complaints.
§ 68.417 Informal complaints; form and content.
§ 68.418 Procedure; designation of agents for service.
§ 68.419 Answers to informal complaints.
§ 68.420 Review and disposition of informal complaints.
§ 68.423 Actions by the Commission on its own motion.
Subpart F ACS Telephonic CPE
§ 68.501 Authorization procedures.
§ 68.502 Labeling, warranty, instructions, and notice of revocation of approval.
§ 68.503 Complaint procedures.
§ 68.504 Administrative Council on Terminal Attachments.
Subpart G Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments
§ 68.602 Sponsor of the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
§ 68.604 Requirements for submitting technical criteria.
§ 68.608 Publication of technical criteria.
§ 68.610 Database of terminal equipment.
§ 68.612 Labels on terminal equipment.
§ 68.614 Oppositions and appeals.
PART 68—CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE
TELEPHONE NETWORK
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 610.
47 CFR 68 (enhanced display) page 2 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.1
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Subpart A—General
Authority: Secs. 4, 5, 303, 710, 48 Stat., as amended, 1066, 1068, 1082 (47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303, 610).
Source: 45 FR 20841, Mar. 31, 1980, unless otherwise noted.
§ 68.1 Purpose.
The purpose of the rules and regulations in this part is to provide for uniform standards for the protection of the
telephone network from harms caused by the connection of terminal equipment and associated wiring thereto, and
for the compatibility of hearing aids and telephones so as to ensure that, to the fullest extent made possible by
technology and medical science, people with hearing loss have equal access to the national telecommunications
network, including advanced communications services.
[83 FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018]
§ 68.2 Scope.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, and excluding subpart F, which applies only to
ACS telephonic CPE, the rules and regulations of this part apply to direct connection of all terminal
equipment to the public switched telephone network for use in conjunction with all services other than
party line services. Sections 68.4, 68.5, 68.6, 68.112, 68.160, 68.162, 68.316, and 68.317, and other
sections to the extent they are made applicable by subpart F of this part, also apply to ACS and ACS
telephonic CPE that is manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United States on or
after February 28, 2020.
(b) National defense and security. Where the Secretary of Defense or authorized agent or the head of any
other governmental department, agency, or administration (approved in writing by the Commission to act
pursuant to this rule) or authorized representative, certifies in writing to the appropriate common carrier
that compliance with the provisions of part 68 could result in the disclosure of communications
equipment or security devices, locations, uses, personnel, or activity which would adversely affect the
national defense and security, such equipment or security devices may be connected to the telephone
company provided communications network without compliance with this part, provided that each written
certification states that:
(1) The connection is required in the interest of national defense and security;
(2) The equipment or device to be connected either complies with the technical criteria pertaining
thereto or will not cause harm to the nationwide telephone network or to employees of any provider
of wireline telecommunications; and
(3) The installation is performed by well-trained, qualified employees under the responsible supervision
and control of a person who is a licensed professional engineer in the jurisdiction in which the
installation is performed.
(c) Governmental departments, agencies, or administrations that wish to qualify for interconnection of
equipment or security devices pursuant to this section shall file a request with the Secretary of this
Commission stating the reasons why the exemption is requested. A list of these departments, agencies,
or administrations that have filed requests shall be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The Commission
may take action with respect to those requests 30 days after publication. The Commission action shall be
47 CFR 68.2(c) (enhanced display) page 3 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.3
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. However, the Commission may grant, on less than the normal notice
period or without notice, special temporary authority, not to exceed 90 days, for governmental
departments, agencies, or administrations that wish to qualify for interconnection of equipment or
security devices pursuant to this section. Requests for such authority shall state the particular fact and
circumstances why authority should be granted on less than the normal notice period or without notice. In
such cases, the Commission shall endeavor to publish its disposition as promptly as possible in the
FEDERAL REGISTER.
[66 FR 7580, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018]
§ 68.3 Definitions.
As used in this part:
ACS telephonic CPE. Customer premises equipment used with advanced communications services that is
designed to provide 2-way voice communication via a built-in speaker intended to be held to the ear in a
manner functionally equivalent to a telephone, except for mobile handsets.
Advanced communications services. Interconnected VoIP service, non-interconnected VoIP service, electronic
messaging service, and interoperable video conferencing service.
Demarcation point (also point of interconnection). As used in this part, the point of demarcation and/or
interconnection between the communications facilities of a provider of wireline telecommunications, and
terminal equipment, protective apparatus or wiring at a subscriber's premises.
Essential telephones. Only coin-operated telephones, telephones provided for emergency use, and other
telephones frequently needed for use by persons using such hearing aids.
Harm. Electrical hazards to the personnel of providers of wireline telecommunications, damage to the
equipment of providers of wireline telecommunications, malfunction of the billing equipment of providers
of wireline telecommunications, and degradation of service to persons other than the user of the subject
terminal equipment, his calling or called party.
Hearing aid compatible. Except as used at §§ 68.4(a)(3) and 68.414, and subpart F of this part the terms hearing
aid compatible or hearing aid compatibility are used as defined in § 68.316, unless it is specifically stated
that hearing aid compatibility volume control, as defined in § 68.317, is intended or is included in the
definition.
Inside wiring or premises wiring. Customer-owned or controlled wire on the subscriber's side of the demarcation
point.
Premises. As used herein, generally a dwelling unit, other building or a legal unit of real property such as a lot on
which a dwelling unit is located, as determined by the provider of telecommunications service's
reasonable and nondiscriminatory standard operating practices.
Private radio services. Private land mobile radio services and other communications services characterized by
the Commission in its rules as private radio services.
Public mobile services. Air-to-ground radiotelephone services, cellular radio telecommunications services,
offshore radio, rural radio service, public land mobile telephone service, and other common carrier radio
communications services covered by part 22 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
47 CFR 68.3 “Public mobile services” (enhanced display) page 4 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.3 “Responsible party”
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Responsible party. The party or parties responsible for the compliance of terminal equipment or protective
circuitry intended for connection directly to the public switched telephone network, or of ACS telephonic
CPE, with the applicable rules and regulations in this part and with any applicable technical criteria
published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments. If a Telecommunications Certification
Body certifies the terminal equipment or ACS telephonic CPE, the responsible party is the holder of the
certificate for that equipment. If the terminal equipment or ACS telephonic CPE is the subject of a
Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, the responsible party shall be: The manufacturer of the equipment,
or the manufacturer of protective circuitry that is marketed for use with terminal equipment that is not to
be connected directly to the network, or if the equipment is imported, the importer, or if the equipment is
assembled from individual component parts, the assembler. If the equipment is modified by any party not
working under the authority of the responsible party, the party performing the modifications, if located
within the U.S., or the importer, if the equipment is imported subsequent to the modifications, becomes
the new responsible party. Retailers or original equipment manufacturers may enter into an agreement
with the assembler or importer to assume the responsibilities to ensure compliance of the terminal
equipment or ACS telephonic CPE and to become the responsible party.
Secure telephones. Telephones that are approved by the United States Government for the transmission of
classified or sensitive voice communications.
Terminal equipment. As used in this part, communications equipment located on customer premises at the end
of a communications link, used to permit the stations involved to accomplish the provision of
telecommunications or information services.
[66 FR 7581, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018]
§ 68.4 Hearing aid-compatible telephones.
(a)
(1) Except for telephones used with public mobile services, telephones used with private radio services,
and cordless and secure telephones, every telephone manufactured in the United States (other than
for export) or imported for use in the United States after August 16, 1989, must be hearing aid
compatible, as defined in § 68.316. Every cordless telephone manufactured in the United States
(other than for export) or imported into the United States after August 16, 1991, must be hearing aid
compatible, as defined in § 68.316.
(2) Unless otherwise stated and except for telephones used with public mobile services, telephones
used with private radio services and secure telephones, every telephone listed in § 68.112 must be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316.
(3) A telephone is hearing aid-compatible if it provides internal means for effective use with hearing aids
that are designed to be compatible with telephones which meet established technical standards for
hearing aid compatibility.
(4) The Commission shall revoke or otherwise limit the exemptions of paragraph (a)((1) of this section
for telephones used with public mobile services or telephones used with private radio services if it
determines that
(i) such revocation or limitation is in the public interest;
(ii) continuation of the exemption without such revocation or limitation would have an adverse
effect on hearing-impaired individuals;
47 CFR 68.4(a)(4)(ii) (enhanced display) page 5 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.4(a)(4)(iii)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(iii) compliance with the requirements of § 68.4(a)(1) is technologically feasible for the telephones
to which the exemption applies; and
(iv) compliance with the requirements of § 68.4(a)(1) would not increase costs to such an extent
that the telephones to which the exemption applies could not be successfully marketed.
[54 FR 21430, May 18, 1989, as amended at 55 FR 28763, July 13, 1990; 57 FR 27183, June 18, 1992; 61 FR 42186, Aug. 14, 1996]
§ 68.5 Waivers.
The Commission may, upon the application of any interested person, initiate a proceeding to waive the requirements
of § 68.4(a)(1) with respect to new telephones, or telephones associated with a new technology or service. The
Commission shall not grant such a waiver unless it determines, on the basis of evidence in the record of such
proceeding, that such telephones, or such technology or service, are in the public interest, and that (a) compliance
with the requirements of § 68.4(a)(1) is technologically infeasible, or (b) compliance with such requirements would
increase the costs of the telephones, or of the technology or service, to such an extent that such telephones,
technology, or service could not be successfully marketed. In any proceeding under this section to grant a waiver
from the requirements of § 68.4(a)(1), the Commission shall consider the effect on hearing-impaired individuals of
granting the waiver. The Commission shall periodically review and determine the continuing need for any waiver
granted pursuant to this section.
[54 FR 21430, May 18, 1989]
§ 68.6 Telephones with volume control.
As of January 1, 2000, all telephones, including cordless telephones, as defined in § 15.3(j) of this chapter,
manufactured in the United States (other than for export) or imported for use in the United States, must have
volume control in accordance with § 68.317. Secure telephones, as defined by § 68.3 are exempt from this section,
as are telephones used with public mobile services or private radio services.
[62 FR 43484, Aug. 14, 1997]
§ 68.7 Technical criteria for terminal equipment.
(a) Terminal equipment shall not cause harm, as defined in § 68.3, to the public switched telephone network.
(b) Technical criteria published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments are the presumptively
valid technical criteria for the protection of the public switched telephone network from harms caused by
the connection of terminal equipment, subject to the appeal procedures in § 68.614 of this part.
[66 FR 7581, Jan. 24, 2001]
Subpart B—Conditions on Use of Terminal Equipment
§ 68.100 General.
In accordance with the rules and regulations in this part, terminal equipment may be directly connected to the public
switched telephone network, including private line services provided over wireline facilities that are owned by
providers of wireline telecommunications.
47 CFR 68.100 (enhanced display) page 6 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.102
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
[66 FR 7581, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.102 Terminal equipment approval requirement.
Terminal equipment must be approved in accordance with the rules and regulations in subpart C of this part, or
connected through protective circuitry that is approved in accordance with the rules and regulations in subpart C.
[66 FR 7582, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.105 Minimum point of entry (MPOE) and demarcation point.
(a) Facilities at the demarcation point. Carrier-installed facilities at, or constituting, the demarcation point
shall consist of wire or a jack conforming to the technical criteria published by the Administrative Council
for Terminal Attachments.
(b) Minimum point of entry. The “minimum point of entry” (MPOE) as used herein shall be either the closest
practicable point to where the wiring crosses a property line or the closest practicable point to where the
wiring enters a multiunit building or buildings. The reasonable and nondiscriminatory standard operating
practices of the provider of wireline telecommunications services shall determine which shall apply. The
provider of wireline telecommunications services is not precluded from establishing reasonable
classifications of multiunit premises for purposes of determining which shall apply. Multiunit premises
include, but are not limited to, residential, commercial, shopping center and campus situations.
(c) Single unit installations. For single unit installations existing as of August 13, 1990, and installations
installed after that date the demarcation point shall be a point within 30 cm (12 in) of the protector or,
where there is no protector, within 30 cm (12 in) of where the telephone wire enters the customer's
premises, or as close thereto as practicable.
(d) Multiunit installations.
(1) In multiunit premises existing as of August 13, 1990, the demarcation point shall be determined in
accordance with the local carrier's reasonable and non-discriminatory standard operating practices.
Provided, however, that where there are multiple demarcation points within the multiunit premises, a
demarcation point for a customer shall not be further inside the customer's premises than a point
twelve inches from where the wiring enters the customer's premises, or as close thereto as
practicable.
(2) In multiunit premises in which wiring is installed, including major additions or rearrangements of
wiring existing prior to that date, the provider of wireline telecommunications may place the
demarcation point at the minimum point of entry (MPOE). If the provider of wireline
telecommunications services does not elect to establish a practice of placing the demarcation point
at the minimum point of entry, the multiunit premises owner shall determine the location of the
demarcation point or points. The multiunit premises owner shall determine whether there shall be a
single demarcation point location for all customers or separate such locations for each customer.
Provided, however, that where there are multiple demarcation points within the multiunit premises, a
demarcation point for a customer shall not be further inside the customer's premises than a point 30
cm (12 in) from where the wiring enters the customer's premises, or as close thereto as practicable.
At the time of installation, the provider of wireline telecommunications services shall fully inform the
premises owner of its options and rights regarding the placement of the demarcation point or points
and shall not attempt to unduly influence that decision for the purpose of obstructing competitive
entry.
47 CFR 68.105(d)(2) (enhanced display) page 7 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.105(d)(3)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(3) In any multiunit premises where the demarcation point is not already at the MPOE, the provider of
wireline telecommunications services must comply with a request from the premises owner to
relocate the demarcation point to the MPOE. The provider of wireline telecommunications services
must negotiate terms in good faith and complete the negotiations within forty-five days from said
request. Premises owners may file complaints with the Commission for resolution of allegations of
bad faith bargaining by provider of wireline telecommunications services. See 47 U.S.C. 208, 47 CFR
1.720 through 1.740.
(4) The provider of wireline telecommunications services shall make available information on the
location of the demarcation point within ten business days of a request from the premises owner. If
the provider of wireline telecommunications services does not provide the information within that
time, the premises owner may presume the demarcation point to be at the MPOE. Notwithstanding
the provisions of § 68.110(b), provider of wireline telecommunications services must make this
information freely available to the requesting premises owner.
(5) In multiunit premises with more than one customer, the premises owner may adopt a policy
restricting a customer's access to wiring on the premises to only that wiring located in the
customer's individual unit that serves only that particular customer.
[66 FR 7582, Jan. 24, 2001; 67 FR 60167, Sept. 25, 2002; 83 FR 31677, July 9, 2018; 83 FR 44843, Sept. 4, 2018]
§ 68.106 Notification to provider of wireline telecommunications.
(a) General. Customers connecting terminal equipment or protective circuitry to the public switched
telephone network shall, upon request of the provider of wireline telecommunications, inform the provider
of wireline telecommunications of the particular line(s) to which such connection is made, and any other
information required to be placed on the terminal equipment pursuant to § 68.354 of this part by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(b) Systems assembled of combinations of individually-approved terminal equipment and protective circuitry.
Customers connecting such assemblages to the public switched telephone network shall, upon the
request of the provider of wireline telecommunications, provide to the provider of wireline
telecommunications the following information:
For each line:
(1) Information required for compatible operation of the equipment with the communications facilities
of the provider of wireline telecommunications;
(2) The identifying information required to be placed on terminal equipment pursuant to § 68.354 for all
equipment dedicated to that line; and
(3) Any other information regarding equipment dedicated to that line required to be placed on the
terminal equipment by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(4) A list of identifying numbers required to be placed on terminal equipment, if any, by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, pursuant to § 68.354 of this part, for equipment to
be used in the system.
47 CFR 68.106(b)(4) (enhanced display) page 8 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.106(c)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(c) Systems using other than “fully protected” premises wiring. Customers who intend to connect premises
wiring other than “fully protected” premises wiring to the public switched telephone network shall, in
addition to the foregoing, give notice to the provider of wireline telecommunications in accordance with §
68.215(e).
[66 FR 7582, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.108 Incidence of harm.
Should terminal equipment, inside wiring, plugs and jacks, or protective circuitry cause harm to the public switched
telephone network, or should the provider of wireline telecommunications reasonably determine that such harm is
imminent, the provider of wireline telecommunications shall, where practicable, notify the customer that temporary
discontinuance of service may be required; however, wherever prior notice is not practicable, the provider of wireline
telecommunications may temporarily discontinue service forthwith, if such action is reasonable under the
circumstances. In case of such temporary discontinuance, the provider of wireline telecommunications shall:
(a) Promptly notify the customer of such temporary discontinuance;
(b) Afford the customer the opportunity to correct the situation which gave rise to the temporary
discontinuance; and
(c) Inform the customer of his right to bring a complaint to the Commission pursuant to the procedures set
forth in subpart E of this part.
[55 FR 28630, July 12, 1990, as amended at 66 FR 7583, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.110 Compatibility of the public switched telephone network and terminal equipment.
(a) Availability of interface information. Technical information concerning interface parameters not specified
by the technical criteria published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, that are
needed to permit terminal equipment to operate in a manner compatible with the communications
facilities of a provider of wireline telecommunications, shall be provided by the provider of wireline
telecommunications upon request.
(b) Availability of inside wiring information. Any available technical information concerning wiring on the
customer side of the demarcation point, including copies of existing schematic diagrams and service
records, shall be provided by the provider of wireline telecommunications upon request of the building
owner or agent thereof. The provider of wireline telecommunications may charge the building owner a
reasonable fee for this service, which shall not exceed the cost involved in locating and copying the
documents. In the alternative, the provider of wireline telecommunications may make these documents
available for review and copying by the building owner. In this case, the provider of wireline
telecommunications may charge a reasonable fee, which shall not exceed the cost involved in making the
documents available, and may also require the building owner to pay a deposit to guarantee the
documents' return.
[66 FR 7583, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 31677, July 9, 2018]
47 CFR 68.110(b) (enhanced display) page 9 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.112
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.112 Hearing aid-compatibility.
(a) Coin telephones. All new and existing coin-operated telephones, whether located on public property or in a
semi-public location (e.g., drugstore, gas station, private club).
(b) Emergency use telephones. Telephones “provided for emergency use” include the following:
(1) Telephones, except headsets, in places where a person with a hearing disability might be isolated in
an emergency, including, but not limited to, elevators, highways, and tunnels for automobile, railway
or subway, and workplace common areas.
Note to paragraph (b)(1): Examples of workplace common areas include libraries, reception
areas and similar locations where employees are reasonably expected to congregate.
(2) Telephones specifically installed to alert emergency authorities, including, but not limited to, police or
fire departments or medical assistance personnel.
(3) Telephones, except headsets, in workplace non-common areas. Note: Examples of workplace non-
common areas include private enclosed offices, open area individual work stations and mail rooms.
Such non-common area telephones are required to be hearing aid compatible, as defined in §
68.316, by January 1, 2000, except for those telephones located in establishments with fewer than
fifteen employees; and those telephones purchased between January 1, 1985 through December 31,
1989, which are not required to be hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, until January 1,
2005.
(i) Telephones, including headsets, made available to an employee with a hearing disability for use
by that employee in his or her employment duty, shall, however, be hearing aid compatible, as
defined in § 68.316.
(ii) As of January 1, 2000 or January 1, 2005, whichever date is applicable, there shall be a
rebuttable presumption that all telephones located in the workplace are hearing aid compatible,
as defined in § 68.316. Any person who identifies a telephone as non-hearing aid-compatible,
as defined in § 68.316, may rebut this presumption. Such telephone must be replaced within
fifteen working days with a hearing aid compatible telephone, as defined in § 68.316, including,
on or after January 1, 2000, with volume control, as defined in § 68.317.
(iii) Telephones, not including headsets, except those headsets furnished under paragraph (b)(3)(i)
of this section, that are purchased, or replaced with newly acquired telephones, must be:
(A) Hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, after October 23, 1996; and
(B) Include volume control, as defined in § 68.317, on or after January 1, 2000.
(iv) When a telephone under paragraph (b)(3)(iii) of this section is replaced with a telephone from
inventory existing before October 23, 1996, any person may make a bona fide request that such
telephone be hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316. If the replacement occurs on or
after January 1, 2000, the telephone must have volume control, as defined in § 68.317. The
telephone shall be provided within fifteen working days.
47 CFR 68.112(b)(3)(iv) (enhanced display) page 10 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.112(b)(3)(v)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(v) During the period from October 23, 1996, until the applicable date of January 1, 2000 or January
1, 2005, workplaces of fifteen or more employees also must provide and designate telephones
for emergency use by employees with hearing disabilities through one or more of the following
means:
(A) By having at least one coin-operated telephone, one common area telephone or one other
designated hearing aid compatible telephone within a reasonable and accessible distance
for an individual searching for a telephone from any point in the workplace; or
(B) By providing wireless telephones that meet the definition for hearing aid compatible for
wireline telephones, as defined in § 68.316, for use by employees in their employment duty
outside common areas and outside the offices of employees with hearing disabilities.
(4) All credit card operated telephones, whether located on public property or in a semipublic location
(e.g., drugstore, gas station, private club), unless a hearing aid compatible (as defined in § 68.316)
coin-operated telephone providing similar services is nearby and readily available. However,
regardless of coin-operated telephone availability, all credit card operated telephones must be made
hearing aid-compatible, as defined in § 68.316, when replaced, or by May 1, 1991, which ever comes
sooner.
(5) Telephones needed to signal life threatening or emergency situations in confined settings, including
but not limited to, rooms in hospitals, residential health care facilities for senior citizens, and
convalescent homes:
(i) A telephone that is hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, is not required until:
(A) November 1, 1997, for establishments with fifty or more beds, unless replaced before that
time; and
(B) November 1, 1998, for all other establishments with fewer than fifty beds, unless replaced
before that time.
(ii) Telephones that are purchased, or replaced with newly acquired telephones, must be:
(A) Hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.116, after October 23, 1996; and
(B) Include volume control, as defined in § 68.317, on or after January 1, 2000.
(iii) Unless a telephone in a confined setting is replaced pursuant to paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this
section, a hearing aid compatible telephone shall not be required if:
(A) A telephone is both purchased and maintained by a resident for use in that resident's room
in the establishment; or
(B) The confined setting has an alternative means of signalling life-threatening or emergency
situations that is available, working and monitored.
(6) Telephones in hotel and motel guest rooms, and in any other establishment open to the general
public for the purpose of overnight accommodation for a fee. Such telephones are required to be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, except that, for establishments with eighty or more
guest rooms, the telephones are not required to be hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316,
until November 1, 1998; and for establishments with fewer than eighty guest rooms, the telephones
are not required to be hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, until November 1, 1999.
47 CFR 68.112(b)(6) (enhanced display) page 11 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.112(b)(6)(i)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(i) Anytime after October 23, 1996, if a hotel or motel room is renovated or newly constructed, or
the telephone in a hotel or motel room is replaced or substantially, internally repaired, the
telephone in that room must be:
(A) Hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, after October 23, 1996; and
(B) Include volume control, as defined in § 68.317, on or after January 1, 2000.
(ii) The telephones in at least twenty percent of the guest rooms in a hotel or motel must be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, as of April 1, 1997.
(iii) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (b)(6) of this section, hotels and motels which
use telephones purchased during the period January 1, 1985 through December 31, 1989 may
provide telephones that are hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, in guest rooms
according to the following schedule:
(A) The telephones in at least twenty percent of the guest rooms in a hotel or motel must be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, as of April 1, 1997;
(B) The telephones in at least twenty-five percent of the guest rooms in a hotel or motel must
be hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, by November 1, 1999; and
(C) The telephones in one-hundred percent of the guest rooms in a hotel or motel must be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, by January 1, 2001 for establishments with
eighty or more guest rooms, and by January 1, 2004 for establishments with fewer than
eighty guest rooms.
(c) Telephones frequently needed by the hearing impaired. Closed circuit telephones, i.e., telephones which
cannot directly access the public switched network, such as telephones located in lobbies of hotels or
apartment buildings; telephones in stores which are used by patrons to order merchandise; telephones in
public transportation terminals which are used to call taxis or to reserve rental automobiles, need not be
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, until replaced.
[49 FR 1362, Jan. 11, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 28763, July 13, 1990; 57 FR 27183, June 18, 1992; 61 FR 42186, Aug. 14, 1996;
61 FR 42392, Aug. 15, 1996; 62 FR 43484, Aug. 14, 1997; 62 FR 51064, Sep. 30, 1997]
§ 68.160 Designation of Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs).
(a) The Commission may recognize designated Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) which have
been designated according to the requirements of paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section to certify
equipment as required under this part. Certification of equipment by a TCB shall be based on an
application with all the information specified in this part. The TCB shall process the application to
determine compliance with the Commission's requirements and shall issue a written grant of equipment
authorization. The grant shall identify the approving TCB and the Commission as the issuing authority.
(b) In the United States, TCBs shall be accredited and designated by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) under its National Voluntary Conformity Assessment Evaluation (NVCASE) program, or
other recognized programs based on ISO/IEC 17065:2012, to comply with the Commission's qualification
criteria for TCBs. NIST may, in accordance with its procedures, allow other appropriately qualified
accrediting bodies to accredit TCBs. TCBs shall comply with the requirements in § 68.162 of this part.
47 CFR 68.160(b) (enhanced display) page 12 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.160(c)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(c) In accordance with the terms of an effective bilateral or multilateral mutual recognition agreement or
arrangement (MRA) to which the United States is a party, bodies outside the United States shall be
permitted to authorize equipment in lieu of the Commission. A body in an MRA partner economy may
authorize equipment to U.S. requirements only if that economy permits bodies in the United States to
authorize equipment to its requirements. The authority designating these telecommunication certification
bodies shall meet the following criteria.
(1) The organization accrediting the prospective telecommunication certification body shall be capable
of meeting the requirements and conditions of ISO/IEC 17011:2004.
(2) The organization assessing the telecommunication certification body shall appoint a team of
qualified experts to perform the assessment covering all of the elements within the scope of
accreditation. For assessment of telecommunications equipment, the areas of expertise to be used
during the assessment shall include, but not be limited to, electromagnetic compatibility and
telecommunications equipment (wired and wireless).
(d) Incorporation by reference.
(1) The material listed in this paragraph (d) is incorporated by reference in this section with the approval
of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To
enforce any edition other than that specified in this section, the FCC must publish a document in the
FEDERAL REGISTER and the material must be available to the public. All approved incorporation by
reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the FCC and the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). Contact the FCC through the Federal Communications Commission's
Reference Information Center, phone: (202) 418–0270. For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html or email
[email protected]. The material may be obtained from the source in paragraph (d)(2) of this
section.
(2) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IEC Central Office, 3, rue de Varembe, CH–1211
Geneva 20, Switzerland, Email: [email protected],www.iec.ch or International Organization for
Standardization (ISO), 1, ch. De la Voie-Creuse, CP 56, CH–1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland;
www.iso.org; Tel.: + 41 22 749 01 11; Fax: + 41 22 733 34 30; email: [email protected] . (ISO
publications can also be purchased from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) through
its NSSN operation (www.nssn.org), at Customer Service, American National Standards Institute, 25
West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, telephone (212) 642–4900.)
(i) ISO/IEC 17011:2004(E), “Conformity assessment—General requirements for accreditation
bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies,” First Edition, 2004–09–01, IBR approved for
§ 68.160(c).
(ii) ISO/IEC 17065:2012(E), “Conformity assessment—Requirements for bodies certifying products,
processes and services,” First Edition, 2012–09–15.
[64 FR 4997, Feb. 2, 1999, as amended at 80 FR 33447, June 12, 2015; 85 FR 64408, Oct. 13, 2020; 88 FR 21445, Apr. 10, 2023]
47 CFR 68.160(d)(2)(ii) (enhanced display) page 13 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.162
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.162 Requirements for Telecommunication Certification Bodies.
(a) Telecommunication certification bodies (TCBs) designated by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), or designated by another authority pursuant to an bilateral or multilateral mutual
recognition agreement or arrangement to which the United States is a party, shall comply with the
following requirements.
(b) Certification methodology.
(1) The certification system shall be based on type testing as identified in ISO/IEC 17065.
(2) Certification shall normally be based on testing no more than one unmodified representative sample
of each product type for which certification is sought. Additional samples may be requested if clearly
warranted, such as when certain tests are likely to render a sample inoperative.
(c) Criteria for designation.
(1) To be designated as a TCB under this section, an entity shall, by means of accreditation, meet all the
appropriate specifications in ISO/IEC 17065 for the scope of equipment it will certify. The
accreditation shall specify the group of equipment to be certified and the applicable regulations for
product evaluation.
(2) The TCB shall demonstrate expert knowledge of the regulations for each product with respect to
which the body seeks designation. Such expertise shall include familiarity with all applicable
technical regulations, administrative provisions or requirements, as well as the policies and
procedures used in the application thereof.
(3) The TCB shall have the technical expertise and capability to test the equipment it will certify and
shall also be accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 to demonstrate it is competent to
perform such tests.
(4) The TCB shall demonstrate an ability to recognize situations where interpretations of the regulations
or test procedures may be necessary. The appropriate key certification and laboratory personnel
shall demonstrate knowledge of how to obtain current and correct technical regulation
interpretations. The competence of the telecommunication certification body shall be demonstrated
by assessment. The general competence, efficiency, experience, familiarity with technical regulations
and products included in those technical regulations, as well as compliance with applicable parts of
the ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17065 shall be taken into consideration.
(5) A TCB shall participate in any consultative activities, identified by the Commission or NIST, to
facilitate a common understanding and interpretation of applicable regulations.
(6) The Commission will provide public notice of specific elements of these qualification criteria that will
be used to accredit TCBs.
(d) External resources.
(1) In accordance with the provisions of ISO/IEC 17065 the evaluation of a product, or a portion thereof,
may be performed by bodies that meet the applicable requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC
17065, in accordance with the applicable provisions of ISO/IEC 17065, for external resources
(outsourcing) and other relevant standards. Evaluation is the selection of applicable requirements
and the determination that those requirements are met. Evaluation may be performed by using
internal TCB resources or external (outsourced) resources.
47 CFR 68.162(d)(1) (enhanced display) page 14 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.162(d)(2)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(2) A recognized TCB shall not outsource review and certification decision activities.
(3) When external resources are used to provide the evaluation function, including the testing of
equipment subject to certification, the TCB shall be responsible for the evaluation and shall maintain
appropriate oversight of the external resources used to ensure reliability of the evaluation. Such
oversight shall include periodic audits of products that have been tested and other activities as
required in ISO/IEC 17065 when a certification body uses external resources for evaluation.
(e) Recognition of TCBs.
(1)
(i) The Commission will recognize as a TCB any organization that meets the qualification criteria
and is accredited and designated by NIST or its recognized accreditor as provided in §
68.160(b).
(ii) The Commission will recognize as a TCB any organization outside the United States that meets
the qualification criteria and is designated pursuant to an bilateral or multilateral Mutual
Recognition Agreement (MRA) as provided in § 68.160(c).
(2) The Commission will withdraw the recognition of a TCB if the TCB's accreditation or designation by
NIST or its recognized accreditor is withdrawn, if the Commission determines there is just cause for
withdrawing the recognition, or if the TCB requests that it no longer hold the recognition. The
Commission will limit the scope of equipment that can be certified by a TCB if its accreditor limits
the scope of its accreditation or if the Commission determines there is good cause to do so. The
Commission will notify a TCB in writing of its intention to withdraw or limit the scope of the TCB's
recognition and provide a TCB with at least 60 day notice of its intention to withdraw the recognition
and provide the TCB with an opportunity to respond. In the case of a TCB designated and recognized
pursuant to an bilateral or multilateral MRA, the Commission shall consult with the Office of United
States Trade Representative (USTR), as necessary, concerning any disputes arising under an MRA
for compliance with the Telecommunications Trade Act of 1988 (Section 1371–1382 of the Omnibus
Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988).
(3) The Commission may request that a TCB's Designating Authority or accreditation body investigate
and take appropriate corrective actions as required, when it has concerns or evidence that the TCB is
not certifying equipment in accordance with Commission rules or ACTA requirements, and the
Commission may initiate action to limit or withdraw the recognition of the TCB.
(4) If the Commission withdraws the recognition of a TCB, all certifications issued by that TCB will
remain valid unless specifically revoked by the Commission.
(5) A list of recognized TCBs will be published by the Commission.
(f) Scope of responsibility.
(1) TCBs shall certify equipment in accordance with the Commission's rules and policies.
(2) A TCB shall accept test data from any source, subject to the requirements in ISO/IEC 17065 and shall
not unnecessarily repeat tests.
(3) TCBs may establish and assess fees for processing certification applications and other tasks as
required by the Commission.
47 CFR 68.162(f)(3) (enhanced display) page 15 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.162(f)(4)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(4) A TCB may rescind a grant of certification within 30 days of grant for administrative errors. After that
time, a grant can only be revoked by the Commission. A TCB shall notify both the applicant and the
Commission when a grant is rescinded.
(5) A TCB may not:
(i) Grant a waiver of Commission rules or technical criteria published by the Administrative
Council, or certify equipment for which Commission rules or requirements, or technical criteria
do not exist, or for which the application of the rules or requirements, or technical criteria is
unclear.
(ii) Take enforcement actions.
(6) All TCB actions are subject to Commission review.
(g) Post-certification requirements.
(1) A Telecommunications Certification Body shall supply a copy of each approved application form and
grant of certification to the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(2) In accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 a TCB is required to conduct appropriate surveillance activities.
These activities shall be based on type testing a few samples of the total number of product types
which the certification body has certified. Other types of surveillance activities of a product that has
been certified are permitted provided they are no more onerous than testing type. The Commission
may at any time request a list of products certified by the certification body and may request and
receive copies of product evaluation reports. The Commission may also request that a TCB perform
post-market surveillance, under Commission guidelines, of a specific product it has certified.
(3) The Commission may request that a grantee of equipment certification submit a sample directly to
the TCB that performed the original certification for evaluation. Any equipment samples requested
by the Commission and tested by a TCB will be counted toward the minimum number of samples
that the TCB must test.
(4) A TCBs may request samples of equipment that they have certified directly from the grantee of
certification.
(5) If during, post-market surveillance of a certified product, a certification body determines that a
product fails to comply with the applicable technical regulations, the certification body shall
immediately notify the grantee and the Commission. The TCB shall provide a follow-up report to the
Commission within 30 days of reporting the non-compliance by the grantee to describe the
resolution or plan to resolve the situation.
(6) Where concerns arise, the TCB shall provide a copy of the application file to the Commission within
30 calendar days of a request for the file made by the Commission to the TCB and the manufacturer.
Where appropriate, the file should be accompanied by a request for confidentiality for any material
that may qualify for confidential treatment under the Commission's rules. If the application file is not
provided within 30 calendar days, a statement shall be provided to the Commission as to why it
cannot be provided.
(h) In the case of a dispute with respect to designation or recognition of a TCB and the testing or certification
of products by a TCB, the Commission will be the final arbiter. Manufacturers and recognized TCBs will be
afforded at least 60 days to comment before a decision is reached. In the case of a TCB designated or
recognized, or a product certified pursuant to an bilateral or multilateral mutual recognition agreement or
47 CFR 68.162(h) (enhanced display) page 16 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.162(i)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
arrangement (MRA) to which the United States is a party, the Commission may limit or withdraw its
recognition of a TCB designated by an MRA party and revoke the Certification of products using testing or
certification provided by such a TCB. The Commission shall consult with the Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR), as necessary, concerning any disputes arising under an MRA for
compliance with under the Telecommunications Trade Act of 1988.
(i) Incorporation by reference. The material listed in this paragraph (i) is incorporated by reference in this
section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in this section, the FCC must publish a
document in the FEDERAL REGISTER and the material must be available to the public. All approved
incorporation by reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the FCC and the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the FCC through the Federal Communications Commission's
Reference Information Center, phone: (202) 418–0270. For information on the availability of this material
at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html or email [email protected].
The material may be obtained from the following source in this paragraph (i):
(1) International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Ch. de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, CH–1214 Vernier,
Geneva, Switzerland; phone: + 41 22 749 01 11; fax: + 41 22 749 09 47; email: [email protected];
website: www.iso.org.
(i) ISO/IEC 17025:2017(E), General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories, Third Edition, November 2017.
(ii) ISO/IEC 17065:2012(E), Conformity assessment—Requirements for bodies certifying products,
processes and services, First Edition, 2012–09–15.
(2) [Reserved]
Note 1 to paragraph (i): The standards listed in paragraphs (i) of this section are also available
from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York,
NY 10036; phone (212) 642–4980; email [email protected]; website: https://webstore.ansi.org/.
[64 FR 4998, Feb. 2, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 27601, May 18, 2001; 67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002; 80 FR 33448, June 12, 2015; 85
FR 64408, Oct. 13, 2020; 88 FR 21445, Apr. 10, 2023; 88 FR 67116, Sept. 29, 2023]
Subpart C—Terminal Equipment Approval Procedures
§ 68.201 Connection to the public switched telephone network.
Terminal equipment may not be connected to the public switched telephone network unless it has either been
certified by a Telecommunications Certification Body or the responsible party has followed all the procedures in this
subpart for Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
[66 FR 7583, Jan. 24, 2001]
47 CFR 68.201 (enhanced display) page 17 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.211
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.211 Terminal equipment approval revocation procedures.
(a) Causes for revocation. The Commission may revoke the interconnection authorization of terminal
equipment, whether that authorization was acquired through certification by a Telecommunications
Certification Body or through the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity process in §§ 68.320 through
68.350 of this part, where:
(1) The equipment approval is shown to have been obtained by misrepresentation;
(2) The approved equipment is shown to cause harms to the public switched telephone network, as
defined in § 68.3;
(3) The responsible party willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with the terms and conditions of its
equipment approval; or
(4) The responsible party willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any rule, regulation or order issued
by the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 relating to terminal equipment.
(b) Notice of intent to revoke interconnection authority. Before revoking interconnection authority under the
provisions of this section, the Commission, or the Enforcement Bureau under delegated authority, will
issue a written Notice of Intent to Revoke Part 68 Interconnection Authority, or a Joint Notice of Apparent
Liability for Forfeiture and Notice of Intent to Revoke Part 68 Interconnection Authority pursuant to §§
1.80 and 1.89 of this chapter.
(c) Delivery. The notice will be sent via certified mail to the responsible party for the terminal equipment at
issue at the address provided to the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(d) Reauthorization. A product that has had its approval revoked may not be authorized for connection to the
public switched telephone network for a period of six months from the date of revocation of the approval.
(e) Reconsideration or appeal. A responsible party of terminal equipment that has had its authorization
revoked and/or that has been assessed a forfeiture may request reconsideration or make administrative
appeal of the decision pursuant to part 1 of the Commission's rules: Practice and Procedure, part 1 of this
chapter.
[66 FR 7583, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 13229, Mar. 21, 2002; 68 FR 13850, Mar. 21, 2003]
§ 68.213 Installation of other than “fully protected” non-system simple customer premises
wiring.
(a) Scope of this rule. Provisions of this rule apply only to “unprotected” premises wiring used with simple
installations of wiring for up to four line residential and business telephone service. More complex
installations of wiring for multiple line services, for use with systems such as PBX and key telephone
systems, are controlled by § 68.215 of these rules.
(b) Wiring authorized. Unprotected premises wiring may be used to connect units of terminal equipment or
protective circuitry to one another, and to carrier-installed facilities if installed in accordance with these
rules. The provider of wireline telecommunications is not responsible, except pursuant to agreement
between it and the customer or undertakings by it, otherwise consistent with Commission requirements,
for installation and maintenance of wiring on the subscriber's side of the demarcation point, including any
wire or jacks that may have been installed by the carrier. The subscriber and/or premises owner may
install wiring on the subscriber's side of the demarcation point, and may remove, reconfigure, and
47 CFR 68.213(b) (enhanced display) page 18 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.213(c)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
rearrange wiring on that side of the demarcation point including wiring and wiring that may have been
installed by the carrier. The customer or premises owner may not access carrier wiring and facilities on
the carrier's side of the demarcation point. Customers may not access the protector installed by the
provider of wireline telecommunications. All plugs and jacks used in connection with inside wiring shall
conform to the published technical criteria of the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments. In
multiunit premises with more than one customer, the premises owner may adopt a policy restricting a
customer's access to wiring on the premises to only that wiring located in the customer's individual unit
wiring that serves only that particular customer. See § 68.105 in this part. The customer or premises
owner may not access carrier wiring and facilities on the carrier's side of the demarcation point.
Customers may not access the protector installed by the provider of wireline telecommunications. All
plugs and jacks used in connection with inside wiring shall conform to the published technical criteria of
the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(c) Material requirements.
(1) For new installations and modifications to existing installations, copper conductors shall be, at a
minimum, solid, 24 gauge or larger, twisted pairs that comply with the electrical specifications for
Category 3, as defined in the ANSI EIA/TIA Building Wiring Standards.
(2) Conductors shall have insulation with a 1500 Volt rms minimum breakdown rating. This rating shall
be established by covering the jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 inches) (measured linearly on
the cable) of conductive foil, and establishing a potential difference between the foil and all of the
individual conductors connected together, such potential difference gradually increased over a 30
second time period to 1500 Volts rms, 60 Hertz, then applied continuously for one minute. At no time
during this 90 second time interval shall the current between these points exceed 10 milliamperes
peak.
(3) All wire and connectors meeting the requirements set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) shall be
marked, in a manner visible to the consumer, with the symbol “CAT 3” or a symbol consisting of a “C”
with a “3” contained within the “C” character, at intervals not to exceed one foot (12 inches) along the
length of the wire.
(d) Attestation. Manufacturers (or distributors or retailers, whichever name appears on the packaging) of non-
system telephone premises wire shall attest in a letter to the Commission that the wire conforms with
part 68, FCC Rules.
[49 FR 21734, May 23, 1984, as amended at 50 FR 29392, July 19, 1985; 50 FR 47548, Nov. 19, 1985; 51 FR 944, Jan. 9, 1986; 55
FR 28630, July 12, 1990; 58 FR 44907, Aug. 25, 1993; 62 FR 36464, July 8, 1997; 65 FR 4140, Jan. 26, 2000; 66 FR 7583, Jan. 24,
2001]
§ 68.214 Changes in other than “fully protected” premises wiring that serves fewer than four
subscriber access lines.
Operations associated with the installation, connection, reconfiguration and removal (other than final removal) of
premises wiring that serves fewer than four subscriber access lines must be performed as provided in § 68.215(c)
if the premises wiring is not “fully protected.” For this purpose, the supervisor and installer may be the same person.
[66 FR 7584, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.215 Installation of other than “fully protected” system premises wiring that serves more
47 CFR 68.215 (enhanced display) page 19 of 50
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47 CFR 68.215(a)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
than four subscriber access lines.
(a) Types of wiring authorized —
(1) Between equipment entities. Unprotected premises wiring, and protected premises wiring requiring
acceptance testing for imbalance, may be used to connect separately-housed equipment entities to
one another.
(2) Between an equipment entity and the public switched telephone network interface(s). Fully-protected
premises wiring shall be used to connect equipment entities to the public switched telephone
network interface unless the provider of wireline telecommunications is unwilling or unable to locate
the interface within 7.6 meters (25 feet) of the equipment entity on reasonable request. In any such
case, other than fully-protected premises wiring may be used if otherwise in accordance with these
rules.
(3) Hardware protection as part of the facilities of the provider of wireline telecommunications. In any
case where the carrier chooses to provide (and the customer chooses to accept, except as
authorized under paragraph (g) of this section), hardware protection on the network side of the
interface(s), the presence of such hardware protection will affect the classification of premises
wiring for the purposes of § 68.215, as appropriate.
(b) Installation personnel. Operations associated with the installation, connection, reconfiguration and
removal (other than final removal of the entire premises communications system) of other than fully-
protected premises wiring shall be performed under the supervision and control of a supervisor, as
defined in paragraph (c) of this section. The supervisor and installer may be the same person.
(c) Supervision. Operations by installation personnel shall be performed under the responsible supervision
and control of a person who:
(1) Has had at least six months of on-the-job experience in the installation of telephone terminal
equipment or of wiring used with such equipment;
(2) Has been trained by the registrant of the equipment to which the wiring is to be connected in the
proper performance of any operations by installation personnel which could affect that equipment's
continued compliance with these rules;
(3) Has received written authority from the registrant to assure that the operations by installation
personnel will be performed in such a manner as to comply with these rules.
(4) Or, in lieu of paragraphs (c) (1) through (3) of this section, is a licensed professional engineer in the
jurisdiction in which the installation is performed.
(d) Workmanship and material requirements —
(1) General. Wiring shall be installed so as to assure that there is adequate insulation of telephone wiring
from commercial power wiring and grounded surfaces. Wiring is required to be sheathed in an
insulating jacket in addition to the insulation enclosing individual conductors (see below) unless
located in an equipment enclosure or in an equipment room with restricted access; it shall be
assured that this physical and electrical protection is not damaged or abraded during placement of
the wiring. Any intentional removal of wiring insulation (or a sheath) for connections or splices shall
be accomplished by removing the minimum amount of insulation necessary to make the connection
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47 CFR 68.215(d)(2)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
or splice, and insulation equivalent to that provided by the wire and its sheath shall be suitably
restored, either by placement of the splices or connections in an appropriate enclosure, or
equipment rooms with restricted access, or by using adequately-insulated connectors or splicing
means.
(2) Wire. Insulated conductors shall have a jacket or sheath with a 1500 volt rms minimum breakdown
rating, except when located in an equipment enclosure or an equipment room with restricted access.
This rating shall be established by covering the jacket or sheath with at least 15 cm (6 in) (measured
linearly on the cable) of conductive foil, and establishing a potential difference between the foil and
all of the individual conductors connected together, such potential difference gradually increased
over a 30 second time period to 1500 volts rms, 60 Hertz, then applied continuously for one minute.
At no time during this 90 second time interval shall the current between these points exceed 10
milliamperes peak.
(3) Places where the jacket or sheath has been removed. Any point where the jacket or sheath has been
removed (or is not required) shall be accessible for inspection. If such points are concealed, they
shall be accessible without disturbing permanent building finish (e.g., by removing a cover).
(4) Building and electrical codes. All building and electrical codes applicable in the jurisdiction to
telephone wiring shall be complied with. If there are no such codes applicable to telephone wiring,
Article 800 of the 1978 National Electrical Code, entitled Communications Systems, and other
sections of that Code incorporated therein by reference shall be complied with.
(5) Limitations on electrical signals. Only signal sources that emanate from the provider of wireline
telecommunications central office, or that are generated in equipment at the customer's premises
and are “non-hazardous voltage sources” as defined in the technical criteria published by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, may be routed in premises telephone wiring,
except for voltages for network control signaling and supervision that are consistent with standards
employed by the provider of wireline telecommunications. Current on individual wiring conductors
shall be limited to values which do not cause an excessive temperature rise, with due regard to
insulation materials and ambient temperatures. The following table assumes a 45 °C temperature
rise for wire sizes 22 AWG or larger, and a 40 °C rise for wire sizes smaller than 22 AWG, for poly-
vinyl chloride insulating materials, and should be regarded as establishing maximum values to be
derated accordingly in specific installations where ambient temperatures are in excess of 25 °C:
47 CFR 68.215(d)(5) (enhanced display) page 21 of 50
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47 CFR 68.215(d)(6)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Maximum Continuous Current Capacity of PVC Insulated Copper Wire,
Confined
Wire size, AWG Circular mils Maximum current, amperes
32 63.2 0.32
30 100.5 0.52
28 159.8 0.83
26 254.1 1.3
24 404.0 2.1
22 642.4 5.0
20 1022 7.5
18 1624 10
NOTE: The total current in all conductors of multiple conductor cables may not exceed 20% of the
sum of the individual ratings of all such conductors.
(6) Physical protection. In addition to the general requirements that wiring insulation be adequate and
not damaged during placement of the wiring, wiring shall be protected from adverse effects of
weather and the environment in which it is used. Where wiring is attached to building finish surfaces
(surface wiring), it shall be suitably supported by means which do not affect the integrity of the
wiring insulation.
(e) Documentation requirements. A notarized affidavit and one copy thereof shall be prepared by the
installation supervisor in advance of each operation associated with the installation, connection,
reconfiguration and removal of other than fully-protected premises wiring (except when accomplished
functionally using a cross-connect panel), except when involved with removal of the entire premises
communications system using such wiring. This affidavit and its copy shall contain the following
information:
(1) The responsible supervisor's full name, business address and business telephone number.
(2) The name of the registrant(s) (or manufacturer(s), if grandfathered equipment is involved) of any
equipment to be used electrically between the wiring and the telephone network interface, which
does not contain inherent protection against hazardous voltages and longitudinal imbalance.
(3) A statement as to whether the supervisor complies with § 68.215(c). Training and authority under §
68.215(c)(2)–(3) is required from the registrant (or manufacturer, if grandfathered equipment is
involved) of the first piece of equipment electrically connected to the telephone network interface,
other than passive equipments such as extensions, cross-connect panels, or adapters. In general,
this would be the registrant (or manufacturer) of a system's common equipment.
(4) The date(s) when placement and connection of the wiring will take place.
(5) The business affiliation of the installation personnel.
(6) Identification of specific national and local codes which will be adhered to.
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47 CFR 68.215(e)(7)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(7) The manufacturer(s); a brief description of the wire which will be used (model number or type); its
conformance with recognized standards for wire if any (e.g., Underwriters Laboratories listing, Rural
Electrification Administration listing, “KS-” specification, etc.); and a general description of the
attachment of the wiring to the structure (e.g., run in conduit or ducts exclusively devoted to
telephone wiring, “fished” through walls, surface attachment, etc.).
(8) The date when acceptance testing for imbalance will take place.
(9) The supervisor's signature. The notarized original shall be submitted to the provider of wireline
telecommunications at least ten calendar days in advance of the placement and connection of the
wiring. This time period may be changed by agreement of the provider of wireline
telecommunications and the supervisor. The copy shall be maintained at the premises, available for
inspection, so long as the wiring is used for telephone service.
(f) Acceptance testing for imbalance. Each telephone network interface that is connected directly or indirectly
to other than fully-protected premises wiring shall be subjected to the acceptance test procedures
specified in this section whenever an operation associated with the installation, connection,
reconfiguration or removal of this wiring (other than final removal) has been performed.
(1) Test procedure for two-way or outgoing lines or loops. A telephone instrument may be associated
directly or indirectly with the line or loop to perform this test if one is not ordinarily available to it:
(i) Lift the handset of the telephone instrument to create the off-hook state on the line or loop
under test.
(ii) Listen for noise. Confirm that there is neither audible hum nor excessive noise.
(iii) Listen for dial tone. Confirm that dial tone is present.
(iv) Break dial tone by dialing a digit. Confirm that dial tone is broken as a result of dialing.
(v) With dial tone broken, listen for audible hum or excessive noise. Confirm that there is neither
audible hum nor excessive noise.
(2) Test procedure for incoming-only (non-originating) lines or loops. A telephone instrument may be
associated directly or indirectly with the line or loop to perform this test if one is not ordinarily
available to it:
(i) Terminate the line or loop under test in a telephone instrument in the on-hook state.
(ii) Dial the number of the line or loop under test from another station, blocking as necessary other
lines or loops to cause the line or loop under test to be reached.
(iii) On receipt of ringing on the line or loop under test, lift the handset of the telephone instrument
to create the off-hook state on that line or loop.
(iv) Listen for audible hum or excessive noise. Confirm that there is neither audible hum nor
excessive noise.
(3) Failure of acceptance test procedures. Absence of dial tone before dialing, inability to break dial tone,
or presence of audible hum or excessive noise (or any combination of these conditions) during test
of two-way or outgoing lines or loops indicates failure. Inability to receive ringing, inability to break
ringing by going off-hook, or presence of audible hum or excessive noise (or any combination of
these conditions) during test of incoming-only lines or loops indicates failure. Upon any such failure,
the failing equipment or portion of the premises communications system shall be disconnected
47 CFR 68.215(f)(3) (enhanced display) page 23 of 50
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47 CFR 68.215(f)(4)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
from the network interface, and may not be reconnected until the cause of the failure has been
isolated or removed. Any previously tested lines or loops shall be retested if they were in any way
involved in the isolation and removal of the cause of the failure.
(4) Monitoring or participation in acceptance testing by the provider of wireline telecommunications. The
provider of wireline telecommunications may monitor or participate in the acceptance testing
required under this section, in accordance with § 68.215(g) of this part, from its central office test
desk or otherwise.
(g) Extraordinary procedures. The provider of wireline communications is hereby authorized to limit the
subscriber's right of connecting approved terminal equipment or protective circuitry with other than fully-
protected premises wiring, but solely in accordance with this paragraph and § 68.108 of these rules.
(1)
(i) Conditions that may invoke these procedures. The extraordinary procedures authorized herein
may only be invoked where one or more of the following conditions is present:
(A) Information provided in the supervisor's affidavit gives reason to believe that a violation of
part 68 of the FCC's rules is likely.
(B) A failure has occurred during acceptance testing for imbalance.
(C) Harm has occurred, and there is reason to believe that this harm was a result of wiring
operations performed under this section.
(ii) The extraordinary procedures authorized in the following subsections shall not be used so as to
discriminate between installations by provider of wireline telecommunications personnel and
installations by others. In general, this requires that any charges for these procedures be levied
in accordance with, or analogous to, the “maintenance of service” tariff provisions: If the
installation proves satisfactory, no charge should be levied.
(2) Monitoring or participation in acceptance testing for imbalance. Notwithstanding the previous sub-
section, the provider of wireline telecommunications may monitor or participate in acceptance
testing for imbalance at the time of the initial installation of wiring in the absence of the conditions
listed therein; at any other time, on or more of the listed conditions shall be present. Such monitoring
or participation in acceptance testing should be performed from the central office test desk where
possible to minimize costs.
(3) Inspection. Subject to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the provider of wireline telecommunications
may inspect wiring installed pursuant to this section, and all of the splicing and connection points
required to be accessible by § 68.215(d)(3) to determine compliance with this section. The user or
installation supervisor shall either authorize the provider of wireline telecommunications to render
the splicing and inspection points visible (e.g., by removing covers), or perform this action prior to
the inspection. To minimize disruption of the premises communications system, the right of
inspecting is limited as follows:
(i) During initial installation of wiring:
(A) The provider of wireline telecommunications may require withdrawal of up to 5 percent
(measured linearly) of wiring run concealed in ducts, conduit or wall spaces, to determine
conformance of the wiring to the information furnished in the affidavit.
47 CFR 68.215(g)(3)(i)(A) (enhanced display) page 24 of 50
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47 CFR 68.215(g)(3)(i)(B)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(B) In the course of any such inspection, the provider of wireline telecommunications shall
have the right to inspect documentation required to be maintained at the premises under §
68.215(e).
(ii) After failure of acceptance testing or after harm has resulted from installed wiring: The provider
of wireline telecommunications may require withdrawal of all wiring run concealed in ducts,
conduit or wall spaces which reasonably could have caused the failure or harm, to determine
conformance of the wiring to the information furnished in the affidavit.
(iii) In the course of any such inspection, the provider of wireline telecommunications shall have the
right to inspect documentation required to be maintained at the premises under § 68.215(e).
(4) Requiring the use of protective apparatus. In the event that any of the conditions listed in paragraph
(g)(1) of this section, arises, and is not permanently remedied within a reasonable time period, the
provider of wireline telecommunications may require the use of protective apparatus that either
protects solely against hazardous voltages, or that protects both against hazardous voltages and
imbalance. Such apparatus may be furnished either by the provider of wireline telecommunications
or by the customer. This right is in addition to the rights of the provider of wireline
telecommunications under § 68.108.
(5) Notice of the right to bring a complaint. In any case where the provider of wireline
telecommunications invokes the extraordinary procedures of § 68.215(g), it shall afford the
customer the opportunity to correct the situation that gave rise to invoking these procedures, and
inform the customer of the right to bring a complaint to the Commission pursuant to the procedures
set forth in subpart E of this part. On complaint, the Commission reserves the right to perform any of
the inspections authorized under this section, and to require the performance of acceptance tests.
(h) Limitations on the foregoing if protected wiring requiring acceptance testing is used. If protected wiring is
used which required acceptance testing, the requirements in the foregoing paragraphs of § 68.215 are
hereby limited, as follows:
(1) Supervision. Section 68.215(c)(2)–(3) are hereby waived. The supervisor is only required to have had
at least six months of on-the-job experience in the installation of telephone terminal equipment or of
wiring used with such equipment.
(2) Extraordinary procedures. Section 68.215(g)(3) is hereby limited to allow for inspection of exposed
wiring and connection and splicing points, but not for requiring the withdrawal of wiring from wiring
run concealed in ducts, conduit or wall spaces unless actual harm has occurred, or a failure of
acceptance testing has not been corrected within a reasonable time. In addition, § 68.215(g)(4) is
hereby waived.
[43 FR 16499, Apr. 19, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 7958, Feb. 8, 1979; 47 FR 37896, Aug. 27, 1982; 49 FR 21735, May 23, 1984; 58
FR 44907, Aug. 25, 1993; 66 FR 7584, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.218 Responsibility of the party acquiring equipment authorization.
(a) In acquiring approval for terminal equipment to be connected to the public switched telephone network,
the responsible party warrants that each unit of equipment marketed under such authorization will
comply with all applicable rules and regulations of this part and with the applicable technical criteria of
the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(b) The responsible party or its agent shall provide the user of the approved terminal equipment the following:
47 CFR 68.218(b) (enhanced display) page 25 of 50
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47 CFR 68.218(b)(1)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(1) Consumer instructions required to be included with approved terminal equipment by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments;
(2) For a telephone that is not hearing aid-compatible, as defined in § 68.316 of these rules:
(i) Notice that FCC rules prohibit the use of that handset in certain locations; and
(ii) A list of such locations (see § 68.112).
(c) When approval is revoked for any item of equipment, the responsible party must take all reasonable steps
to ensure that purchasers and users of such equipment are notified to discontinue use of such
equipment.
[66 FR 7585, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.224 Notice of non-hearing aid compatibility.
Every non-hearing aid compatible telephone offered for sale to the public on or after August 17, 1989, whether
previously-registered, newly registered or refurbished shall:
(a) Contain in a conspicuous location on the surface of its packaging a statement that the telephone is not
hearing aid compatible, as is defined in §§ 68.4(a)(3) and 68.316, or if offered for sale without a
surrounding package, shall be affixed with a written statement that the telephone is not hearing aid-
compatible, as defined in §§ 68.4(a)(3) and 68.316; and
(b) Be accompanied by instructions in accordance with § 68.218(b)(2).
[54 FR 21431, May 18, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 42187, Aug. 14, 1996; 83 FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018]
Subpart D—Conditions for Terminal Equipment Approval
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 155, 303, 610.
Source: 45 FR 20853, Mar. 31, 1980, unless otherwise noted.
§ 68.300 Labeling requirements.
(a) Terminal equipment approved as set out in this part must be labeled in accordance with the requirements
published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments and with requirements of this part for
hearing aid compatibility and volume control.
(b) All registered telephones, including cordless telephones, as defined in § 15.3(j) of this chapter,
manufactured in the United States (other than for export) or imported for use in the United States, that are
hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316, shall have the letters “HAC” permanently affixed thereto.
“Permanently affixed” means that the label is etched, engraved, stamped, silkscreened, indelibly printed, or
otherwise permanently marked on a permanently attached part of the equipment or on a nameplate of
metal, plastic, or other material fastened to the equipment by welding, riveting, or a permanent adhesive.
The label must be designed to last the expected lifetime of the equipment in the environment in which the
47 CFR 68.300(b) (enhanced display) page 26 of 50
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47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
equipment may be operated and must not be readily detachable. Telephones used with public mobile
services or private radio services, and secure telephones, as defined by § 68.3, are exempt from the
requirement in this paragraph (b).
[62 FR 61664, Nov. 19, 1997, as amended at 64 FR 3048, Jan. 20, 1999; 66 FR 7585, Jan. 24, 2001; 86 FR 23629, May 4, 2021]
§ 68.316 Hearing aid compatibility: Technical requirements.
A telephone handset is hearing aid compatible for the purposes of this section if it complies with the following
standard, published by the Telecommunications Industry Association, copyright 1983, and reproduced by
permission of the Telecommunications Industry Association:
Electronic Industries Association Recommended Standard RS–504
Magnetic Field Intensity Criteria for Telephone Compatibility With
Hearing Aids
[PREPARED BY EIA ENGINEERING COMMITTEE TR–41 AND THE HEARING INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION'S
STANDARDS AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE]
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
1 INTRODUCTION
2 SCOPE
3 DEFINITIONS
4 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1 General
4.2 Axial Field Intensity
4.3 Radial Field Intensity
4.4 Induced Voltage Frequency Response
Appendix A—Bibliography
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List of Illustrations
Figure Number
1 Reference and Measurement Planes and Axes
2 Measurement Block Diagram
3 Probe Coil Parameters
4A Induced Voltage Frequency Response for receivers with an axial field that exceeds −19 dB
4B Induced Voltage Frequency Response for receivers with an axial field that exceeds −22 dB but is less than
−19 dB
Magnetic Field Intensity Criteria for Telephone Compatibility With Hearing Aids
(From EIA Standards Proposal No. 1652, formulated under the cognizance of EIA TR–41 Committee on Voice
Telephone Terminals and the Hearing Industries Association's Standards and Technical Committee.)
1 Introduction
Hearing-aid users have used magnetic coupling to enable them to participate in telephone communications
since the 1940's. Magnetic pick-ups in hearing-aids have provided for coupling to many, but not all, types of
telephone handsets. A major reason for incompatibility has been the lack of handset magnetic field intensity
requirements. Typically, whatever field existed had been provided fortuitously rather than by design. More
recently, special handset designs, e.g., blue grommet handsets associated with public telephones, have been
introduced to provide hearing-aid coupling and trials were conducted to demonstrate the acceptability of such
designs. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of new handset designs in the future. A
standard definition of the magnetic field intensity emanating from telephone handsets intended to provide
hearing-aid coupling is needed so that hearing-aid manufacturers can design their product to use this field,
which will be guaranteed in handsets which comply with this standard.
1.1 This standard is one of a series of technical standards on voice telephone terminal equipment prepared by
EIA Engineering Committee TR–41. This document, with its companion standards on Private Branch
Exchanges (PBX), Key Telephone Systems (KTS), Telephones and Environmental and Safety Considerations
(Refs: A1, A2, A3 and A4) fills a recognized need in the telephone industry brought about by the increasing use
in the public telephone network of equipment supplied by numerous manufacturers. It will be useful to anyone
engaged in the manufacture of telephone terminal equipment and hearing-aids and to those purchasing,
operating or using such equipment or devices.
1.2 This standard is intended to be a living document, subject to revision and updating as warranted by
advances in network and terminal equipment technology and changes in the FCC Rules and Regulations.
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 28 of 50
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2 Scope
2.1 The purpose of this document is to establish formal criteria defining the magnetic field intensity presented
by a telephone to which hearing aids can couple. The requirements are based on present telecommunications
plant characteristics at the telephone interface. The telephone will also be subject to the applicable
requirements of EIA RS–470, Telephone Instruments with Loop Signaling for Voiceband Applications (Ref: A3)
and the environmental requirements specified in EIA Standards Project PN–1361, Environmental and Safety
Considerations for Voice Telephone Terminals, when published (Ref: A4).
Telephones which meet these requirements should ensure satisfactory service to users of magnetically
coupled hearing-aids in a high percentage of installations, both initially and over some period of time, as the
network grows and changes occur in telephone serving equipment. However, due to the wide range of
customer apparatus and loop plant and dependent on the environment in which the telephone and hearing aid
are used, conformance with this standard does not guarantee acceptable performance or interface
compatibility under all possible operating conditions.
2.2 A telephone complies with this standard if it meets the requirements in this standard when manufactured
and can be expected to continue to meet these requirements when properly used and maintained. For
satisfactory service a telephone needs to be capable, through the proper selection of equipment options, of
satisfying the requirements applicable to its marketing area.
2.3 The standard is intended to be in conformance with part 68 of the FCC Rules and Regulations, but it is not
limited to the scope of those rules (Ref: A5).
2.4 The signal level and method of measurement in this standard have been chosen to ensure reproducible
results and permit comparison of evaluations. The measured magnetic field intensity will be approximately 15
dB above the average level encountered in the field and the measured high-end frequency response will be
greater than that encountered in the field.
2.5 The basic accuracy and reproducibility of measurements made in accordance with this standard will
depend primarily upon the accuracy of the test equipment used, the care with which the measurements are
conducted, and the inherent stability of the devices under test.
3 Definitions
This section contains definitions of terms needed for proper understanding and application of this standard
which are not believed to be adequately treated elsewhere. A glossary of telephone terminology, which will be
published as a companion volume to the series of technical standards on Telephone Terminals For Voiceband
Applications, is recommended as a general reference and for definitions not covered in this section.
3.1 A telephone is a terminal instrument which permits two-way, real-time voice communication with a distant
party over a network or customer premises connection. It converts real-time voice and voiceband acoustic
signals into electrical signals suitable for transmission over the telephone network and converts received
electrical signals into acoustic signals. A telephone which meets the requirements of this standard also
generates a magnetic field to which hearing-aids may couple.
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 29 of 50
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3.2 The telephone boundaries are the electrical interface with the network, PBX or KTS and the acoustic,
magnetic and mechanical interfaces with the user. The telephone may also have an electrical interface with
commercial power.
3.3 A hearing aid is a personal electronic amplifying device, intended to increase the loudness of sound and
worn to compensate for impaired hearing. When equipped with an optional inductive pick-up coil (commonly
called a telecoil), a hearing aid can be used to amplify magnetic fields such as those from telephone receivers
or induction-loop systems.
3.4 The reference plane is the planar area containing points of the receiver-end of the handset which, in normal
handset use, rest against the ear (see Fig 1).
3.5 The measurement plane is parallel to, and 10 mm in front of, the reference plane (see Fig 1).
3.6 The reference axis is normal to the reference plane and passes through the center of the receiver cap (or
the center of the hole array, for handset types that do not have receiver caps).
3.7 The measurement axis is parallel to the reference axis but may be displaced from that axis, by a maximum
of 10 mm (see Fig 1). Within this constraint, the measurement axis may be located where the axial and radial
field intensity measurements, are optimum with regard to the requirements. In a handset with a centered
receiver and a circularly symmetrical magnetic field, the measurement axis and the reference axis would
coincide.
4 Technical Requirements
4.1 General.
These criteria apply to handsets when tested as a constituent part of a telephone.
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 30 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
4.1.1 Three parameters descriptive of the magnetic field at points in the measurement plane shall be used to
ascertain adequacy for magnetic coupling. These three parameters are intensity, direction and frequency
response, associated with the field vector.
4.1.2 The procedures for determining the parameter values are defined in the IEEE Standard Method For
Measuring The Magnetic Field Intensity Around A Telephone Receiver (Ref: A6), with the exception that this EIA
Recommended Standard does not require that the measurements be made using an equivalent loop of 2.75 km
of No. 26 AWG cable, but uses a 1250–ohm resistor in series with the battery feed instead (see Fig 2).
4.1.3 When testing other than general purpose analog telephones, e.g., proprietary or digital telephones, an
appropriate feed circuit and termination shall be used that produces equivalent test conditions.
4.2 Axial Field Intensity.
When measured as specified in 4.1.2, the axial component of the magnetic field directed along the
measurement axis and located at the measurement plane, shall be greater than −22 dB relative to 1 A/m, for an
input of −10 dBV at 1000 Hz (see Fig 2).
Note: If the magnitude of the axial component exceeds −19 dB relative to 1 A/m, some
relaxation in the frequency response is permitted (See 4.4.1).
4.3 Radial Field Intensity.
When measured as specified in 4.1.2, radial components of the magnetic field as measured at four points 90°
apart, and at a distance ≥16 mm from the measurement axis (as selected in 4.2), shall be greater than −27 dB
relative to 1 A/m, for an input of −10 dBV at 1000 Hz (see Fig 2).
4.4 Induced Voltage Frequency Response.
The frequency response of the voltage induced in the probe coil by the axial component of the magnetic field
as measured in 4.2, shall fall within the acceptable region of Fig 4A or Fig 4B (see 4.4.1 and 4.4.2), over the
frequency range 300-to-3300 Hz.
4.4.1 For receivers with an axial component which exceeds −19 dB relative to 1 A/m, when measured as
specified in 4.1.2, the frequency response shall fall within the acceptable region of Fig 4A.
4.4.2 For receivers with an axial component which is less than −19 dB but greater than −22 dB relative to 1 A/
m, when measured as specified in 4.1.2, the frequency response shall fall within the acceptable region of Fig
4B.
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 31 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 32 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 33 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 34 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.316
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
47 CFR 68.316 (enhanced display) page 35 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.317
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
Appendix A—Bibliography
(A1) EIA Standard RS–464, Private Branch Exchange (PBX) Switching Equipment for Voiceband Applications.
(A2) EIA Standard RS–478, Multi-Line Key Telephone Systems (KTS) for Voiceband Applications.
(A3) EIA Standard RS–470, Telephone Instruments with Loop Signaling for Voiceband Applications.
(A4) EIA Project Number PN–1361, Environmental and Safety Considerations for Voice Telephone Terminals.
(A5) Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations, part 68, Connection of Terminal Equipment to
the Telephone Network.
(A6) IEEE Standard, Method for Measuring the Magnetic Field arould a Telephone Receiver. (to be published)
[49 FR 1363, Jan. 11, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 42187, Aug. 14, 1996]
§ 68.317 Hearing aid compatibility volume control: technical standards.
(a)
(1) A telephone manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United States prior to
February 28, 2020, complies with the volume control requirements of this section if it complies with:
(i) The applicable provisions of paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section; or
(ii) Paragraph (h) of this section.
(2) A telephone manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United States on or after
February 28, 2020, complies with the volume control requirements of this section if it complies with
paragraph (h) of this section.
(b) An analog telephone complies with the Commission's volume control requirements if the telephone is
equipped with a receive volume control that provides, through the receiver in the handset or headset of
the telephone, 12 dB of gain minimum and up to 18 dB of gain maximum, when measured in terms of
Receive Objective Loudness Rating (ROLR), as defined in paragraph 4.1.2 of ANSI/EIA–470–A–1987
(Telephone Instruments With Loop Signaling) . The 12 dB of gain minimum must be achieved without
significant clipping of the test signal. The telephone also shall comply with the upper and lower limits for
ROLR given in table 4.4 of ANSI/EIA–470–A–1987 when the receive volume control is set to its normal
unamplified level.
Note 1 to paragraph (b): Paragraph 4.1.2 of ANSI/EIA–470–A–1987 identifies several
characteristics related to the receive response of a telephone. It is only the normal unamplified
ROLR level and the change in ROLR as a function of the volume control setting that are relevant to
the specification of volume control as required by this section.
47 CFR 68.317(b) (enhanced display) page 36 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.317(c)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(c) The ROLR of an analog telephone shall be determined over the frequency range from 300 to 3300 HZ for
short, average, and long loop conditions represented by 0, 2.7, and 4.6 km of 26 AWG nonloaded cable,
respectively. The specified length of cable will be simulated by a complex impedance. (See Figure A.) The
input level to the cable simulator shall be −10 dB with respect to 1 V open circuit from a 900 ohm source.
(d) A digital telephone complies with the Commission's volume control requirements if the telephone is
equipped with a receive volume control that provides, through the receiver of the handset or headset of
the telephone, 12 dB of gain minimum and up to 18 dB of gain maximum, when measured in terms of
Receive Objective Loudness Rating (ROLR), as defined in paragraph 4.3.2 of ANSI/EIA/TIA–579–1991
(Acoustic-To-Digital and Digital-To-Acoustic Transmission Requirements for ISDN Terminals). The 12 dB
of gain minimum must be achieved without significant clipping of the test signal. The telephone also shall
comply with the limits on the range for ROLR given in paragraph 4.3.2.2 of ANSI/EIA/TIA–579–1991 when
the receive volume control is set to its normal unamplified level.
(e) The ROLR of a digital telephone shall be determined over the frequency range from 300 to 3300 Hz using
the method described in paragraph 4.3.2.1 of ANSI/EIA/TIA–579–1991. No variation in loop conditions is
required for this measurement since the receive level of a digital telephone is independent of loop length.
(f) The ROLR for either an analog or digital telephone shall first be determined with the receive volume
control at its normal unamplified level. The minimum volume control setting shall be used for this
measurement unless the manufacturer identifies a different setting for the nominal volume level. The
ROLR shall then be determined with the receive volume control at its maximum volume setting. Since
ROLR is a loudness rating value expressed in dB of loss, more positive values of ROLR represent lower
receive levels. Therefore, the ROLR value determined for the maximum volume control setting should be
subtracted from that determined for the nominal volume control setting to determine compliance with the
gain requirement.
(g) The 18 dB of receive gain may be exceeded provided that the amplified receive capability automatically
resets to nominal gain when the telephone is caused to pass through a proper on-hook transition in order
to minimize the likelihood of damage to individuals with normal hearing.
(h) A telephone complies with the Commission's volume control requirements if it is equipped with a receive
volume control that provides, through the receiver in the handset of the telephone, at the loudest volume
setting, a conversational gain greater than or equal to 18 dB and less than or equal to 24 dB
Conversational Gain when measured as described in ANSI/TIA–4965–2012
(Telecommunications—Telephone Terminal Equipment—Receive Volume Control Requirements for Digital
and Analog Wireline Telephones). A minimum of 18 dB Conversational Gain must be achieved without
significant clipping of the speech signal used for testing. The maximum 24 dB Conversational Gain may
be exceeded if the amplified receive capability automatically resets to a level of not more than 24 dB
Conversational Gain when the telephone is caused to pass through a proper on-hook transition, in order to
minimize the likelihood of damage to individuals with normal hearing.
(i) Incorporation by reference. The material listed in this paragraph (i) is incorporated by reference in this
section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1
CFR part 51. All approved incorporation by reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the FCC
and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the FCC through the Federal
Communications Commission's Reference Information Center, phone: (202) 418–0270. For information
on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html or
email [email protected]. The material may be obtained from the following source in this paragraph
(i):
47 CFR 68.317(i) (enhanced display) page 37 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.317(i)(1)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(1) The following standards are available from the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), 1320
North Courthouse Road, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201, (877) 413–5184, email to
[email protected], and http://www.tiaonline.org/standards/catalog.
(i) Paragraph 4.1.2 (including table 4.4) of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard
ANSI/EIA–470–A–1987, Telephone Instruments with Loop Signaling, July 1987.
(ii) Paragraph 4.3.2 of ANSI/EIA/TIA–579–1991, Acoustic-to-Digital and Digital-to-Acoustic
Transmission Requirements for ISDN Terminals, February 1991.
(iii) ANSI/TIA–4965–2012, Telecommunications; Telephone Terminal Equipment; Receive Volume
Control Requirements for Digital and Analog Wireline Handset Terminals, approved October 19,
2012.
(2) [Reserved]
[61 FR 42187, Aug. 14, 1996, as amended at 64 FR 60726, Nov. 8, 1999; 67 FR 13229, Mar. 21, 2002; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004; 83
FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018; 85 FR 64408, Oct. 13, 2020; 88 FR 21445, Apr. 10, 2023]
§ 68.318 Additional limitations.
(a) General. Registered terminal equipment for connection to those services discussed below must
incorporate the specified features.
(b) Registered terminal equipment with automatic dialing capability.
(1) Automatic dialing to any individual number is limited to two successive attempts. Automatic dialing
equipment which employ means for detecting both busy and reorder signals shall be permitted an
additional 13 attempts if a busy or reorder signal is encountered on each attempt. The dialer shall be
unable to re-attempt a call to the same number for at least 60 minutes following either the second or
fifteenth successive attempt, whichever applies, unless the dialer is reactivated by either manual or
external means. This rule does not apply to manually activated dialers that dial a number once
following each activation.
Note to paragraph (b)(1): Emergency alarm dialers and dialers under external computer
control are exempt from these requirements.
(2) If means are employed for detecting both busy and reorder signals, the automatic dialing equipment
shall return to its on-hook state within 15 seconds after detection of a busy or reorder signal.
(3) If the called party does not answer, the automatic dialer shall return to the on-hook state within 60
seconds of completion of dialing.
(4) If the called party answers, and the calling equipment does not detect a compatible terminal
equipment at the called end, then the automatic dialing equipment shall be limited to one additional
call which is answered. The automatic dialing equipment shall comply with paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2),
and (b)(3) of this section for additional call attempts that are not answered.
(5) Sequential dialers shall dial only once to any individual number before proceeding to dial another
number.
(6) Network addressing signals shall be transmitted no earlier than:
47 CFR 68.318(b)(6) (enhanced display) page 38 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.318(b)(6)(i)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(i) 70 ms after receipt of dial tone at the network demarcation point; or
(ii) 600 ms after automatically going off-hook (for single line equipment that does not use dial tone
detectors); or
(iii) 70 ms after receipt of CO ground start at the network demarcation point.
(c) Line seizure by automatic telephone dialing systems. Automatic telephone dialing systems which deliver a
recorded message to the called party must release the called party's telephone line within 5 seconds of
the time notification is transmitted to the system that the called party has hung up, to allow the called
party's line to be used to make or receive other calls.
(d) Telephone facsimile machines; Identification of the sender of the message. It shall be unlawful for any
person within the United States to use a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a
telephone facsimile machine unless such person clearly marks, in a margin at the top or bottom of each
transmitted page of the message or on the first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent and
an identification of the business, other entity, or individual sending the message and the telephone
number of the sending machine or of such business, other entity, or individual. If a facsimile broadcaster
demonstrates a high degree of involvement in the sender's facsimile messages, such as supplying the
numbers to which a message is sent, that broadcaster's name, under which it is registered to conduct
business with the State Corporation Commission (or comparable regulatory authority), must be identified
on the facsimile, along with the sender's name. Telephone facsimile machines manufactured on and after
December 20, 1992, must clearly mark such identifying information on each transmitted page.
(e) Requirement that registered equipment allow access to common carriers. Any equipment or software
manufactured or imported on or after April 17, 1992, and installed by any aggregator shall be
technologically capable of providing consumers with access to interstate providers of operator services
through the use of equal access codes. The terms used in this paragraph shall have meanings defined in
§ 64.708 of this chapter (47 CFR 64.708).
[62 FR 61691, Nov. 19, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 44179, July 25, 2003]
§ 68.320 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
(a) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity is a procedure where the responsible party, as defined in § 68.3,
makes measurements or takes other necessary steps to ensure that the terminal equipment complies
with the appropriate technical standards.
(b) The Supplier's Declaration of Conformity attaches to all items subsequently marketed by the responsible
party which are identical, within the variation that can be expected to arise as a result of quantity
production techniques, to the sample tested and found acceptable by the responsible party.
(c) The Supplier's Declaration of Conformity signifies that the responsible party has determined that the
equipment has been shown to comply with the applicable technical criteria if no unauthorized change is
made in the equipment and if the equipment is properly maintained and operated.
(d) The responsible party, if different from the manufacturer, may upon receiving a written statement from the
manufacturer that the equipment complies with the appropriate technical criteria, rely on the
manufacturer or independent testing agency to determine compliance. Any records that the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments requires the responsible party to maintain shall be in the
English language and shall be made available to the Commission upon a request.
47 CFR 68.320(d) (enhanced display) page 39 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.320(e)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(e) No person shall use or make reference to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity in a deceptive or
misleading manner or to convey the impression that such a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity reflects
more than a determination by the responsible party that the device or product has been shown to be
capable of complying with the applicable technical criteria.
[66 FR 7585, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 8633, Feb. 28, 2018]
§ 68.321 Location of responsible party.
The responsible party for a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity must designate an agent for service of process that
is physically located within the United States.
[67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002]
§ 68.322 Changes in name, address, ownership or control of responsible party.
(a) The responsible party for a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity may license or otherwise authorize a
second party to manufacture the equipment covered by the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity provided
that the responsible party shall continue to be responsible to the Commission for ensuring that the
equipment produced pursuant to such an agreement remains compliant with the appropriate standards.
(b) In the case of transactions affecting the responsible party of a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, such
as a transfer of control or sale to another company, mergers, or transfer of manufacturing rights, the
successor entity shall become the responsible party.
[66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.324 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity requirements.
(a) Each responsible party shall include in the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, the following information:
(1) The identification and a description of the responsible party for the Supplier's Declaration of
Conformity and the product, including the model number of the product,
(2) A statement that the terminal equipment conforms with applicable technical requirements, and a
reference to the technical requirements,
(3) The date and place of issue of the declaration,
(4) The signature, name and function of person making declaration,
(5) A statement that the handset, if any, complies with § 68.316 of these rules (defining hearing aid
compatibility), or that it does not comply with that section. A telephone handset which complies with
§ 68.316 shall be deemed a “hearing aid-compatible telephone” for purposes of § 68.4.
(6) Any other information required to be included in the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity by the
Administrative Council of Terminal Attachments.
(b) If the device that is subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity is designed to operate in conjunction
with other equipment, the characteristics of which can affect compliance of such device with part 68
rules and/or with technical criteria published by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments,
47 CFR 68.324(b) (enhanced display) page 40 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.324(c)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
then the Model Number(s) of such other equipment must be supplied, and such other equipment must
also include a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity or a certification from a Telecommunications
Certification Body.
(c) The Supplier's Declaration of Conformity shall be included in the user's manual or as a separate document
enclosed with the terminal equipment.
(d) If terminal equipment is not subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, but instead contains
protective circuitry that is subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, then the responsible party for
the protective circuitry shall include with each module of such circuitry, a Supplier's Declaration of
Conformity containing the information required under § 68.340(a), and the responsible party of such
terminal equipment shall include such statement with each unit of the product.
(e)
(1) The responsible party for the terminal equipment subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity
also shall provide to the purchaser of such terminal equipment, instructions as required by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(2) A copy of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity shall be provided to the Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments along with any other information the Administrative Council for Terminal
Attachments requires; this information shall be made available to the public.
(3) The responsible party shall make a copy of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity freely available
to the general public on its company website. The information shall be accessible to the disabled
community from the website. If the responsible party does not have a functional and reliable
website, then the responsible party shall inform the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments
of such circumstances, and the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall make a copy
available on its website.
(f) For a telephone that is not hearing aid-compatible, as defined in § 68.316 of this part, the responsible
party also shall provide the following in the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity:
(1) Notice that FCC rules prohibit the use of that handset in certain locations; and
(2) A list of such locations (see § 68.112).
[66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.326 Retention of records.
(a) The responsible party for a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity shall maintain records containing the
following information:
(1) A copy of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity;
(2) The identity of the testing facility, including the name, address, phone number and other contact
information.
(3) A detailed explanation of the testing procedure utilized to determine whether terminal equipment
conforms to the appropriate technical criteria.
(4) A copy of the test results for terminal equipment compliance with the appropriate technical criteria.
47 CFR 68.326(a)(4) (enhanced display) page 41 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.326(b)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(b) For each device subject to the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity requirement, the responsible party
shall maintain all records required under § 68.326(a) for at least ten years after the manufacture of said
equipment has been permanently discontinued, or until the conclusion of an investigation or a proceeding,
if the responsible party is officially notified prior to the expiration of such ten year period that an
investigation or any other administrative proceeding involving its equipment has been instituted,
whichever is later.
[66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.346 Description of testing facilities.
(a) Each responsible party for equipment that is subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity under this
part, shall compile a description of the measurement facilities employed for testing the equipment. The
responsible party for the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity shall retain a description of the
measurement facilities.
(b) The description shall contain the information required to be included by the Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments.
[66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.348 Changes in equipment and circuitry subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
(a) No change shall be made in terminal equipment or protective circuitry that would result in any material
change in the information contained in the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity Statement furnished to
users.
(b) Any other changes in terminal equipment or protective circuitry which is subject to an effective Supplier's
Declaration of Conformity shall be made only by the responsible party or an authorized agent thereof, and
the responsible party will remain responsible for the performance of such changes.
[66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.350 Revocation of Supplier's Declaration of Conformity.
(a) The Commission may revoke any Supplier's Declaration of Conformity for cause in accordance with the
provisions of this section or in the event changes in technical standards published by the Administrative
Council for Terminal Attachments require the revocation of any outstanding Supplier's Declaration of
Conformity in order to achieve the objectives of part 68.
(b) Cause for revocation. In addition to the provisions in § 68.211, the Commission may revoke a Supplier's
Declaration of Conformity:
(1) For false statements or representations made in materials or responses submitted to the
Commission and/or the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments, or in records required to
be kept by § 68.324 and the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(2) If upon subsequent inspection or operation it is determined that the equipment does not conform to
the pertinent technical requirements.
47 CFR 68.350(b)(2) (enhanced display) page 42 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.350(b)(3)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(3) If it is determined that changes have been made in the equipment other that those authorized by this
part or otherwise expressly authorized by the Commission.
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.354 Numbering and labeling requirements for terminal equipment.
(a) Terminal equipment and protective circuitry that is subject to a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity or
that is certified by a Telecommunications Certification Body shall have labels in a place and manner
required by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(b) Terminal equipment labels shall include an identification numbering system in a manner required by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(c) If the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments chooses to continue the practice of utilizing a
designated “FCC” number, it shall include in its labeling requirements a warning that the Commission no
longer directly approves or registers terminal equipment.
(d) Labeling developed for terminal equipment by the Administrative Council on Terminal Attachments shall
contain sufficient information for providers of wireline telecommunications, the Federal Communications
Commission, and the U.S. Customs Service to carry out their functions, and for consumers to easily
identify the responsible party of their terminal equipment. The numbering and labeling scheme shall be
nondiscriminatory, creating no competitive advantage for any entity or segment of the industry.
(e) FCC numbering and labeling requirements existing prior to the effective date of these rules shall remain
unchanged until the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments publishes its numbering and
labeling requirements.
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002]
Subpart E—Complaint Procedures
§§ 68.400-68.412 [Reserved]
§ 68.414 Hearing aid-compatibility: Enforcement.
Enforcement of §§ 68.4 and 68.112 is hereby delegated to those states which adopt those sections and provide for
their enforcement. The procedures followed by a state to enforce those sections shall provide a 30-day period after
a complaint is filed, during which time state personnel shall attempt to resolve a dispute on an informal basis. If a
state has not adopted or incorporated §§ 68.4 and 68.112, or failed to act within 6 months from the filing of a
complaint with the state public utility commission, the Commission will accept such complaints. A written
notification to the complainant that the state believes action is unwarranted is not a failure to act.
[49 FR 1368, Jan. 11, 1984]
§ 68.415 Hearing aid-compatibility and volume control informal complaints.
Persons with complaints under §§ 68.4 and 68.112 that are not addressed by the states pursuant to § 68.414, and
all other complaints regarding rules in this part pertaining to hearing aid compatibility and volume control, may bring
informal complaints as described in § 68.416 through § 68.420. All responsible parties of terminal equipment are
subject to the informal complaint provisions specified in this section.
47 CFR 68.415 (enhanced display) page 43 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.417
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.417 Informal complaints; form and content.
(a) An informal complaint alleging a violation of hearing aid compatibility and/or volume control rules in this
subpart may be transmitted to the Consumer Information Bureau by any reasonable means, e.g., letter,
facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, audio-cassette recording,
and Braille.
(b) An informal complaint shall include:
(1) The name and address of the complainant;
(2) The name and address of the responsible party, if known, or the manufacturer or provider against
whom the complaint is made;
(3) A full description of the terminal equipment about which the complaint is made;
(4) The date or dates on which the complainant purchased, acquired or used the terminal equipment
about which the complaint is being made;
(5) A complete statement of the facts, including documentation where available, supporting the
complainant's allegation that the defendant has failed to comply with the requirements of this
subpart;
(6) The specific relief or satisfaction sought by the complainant, and
(7) The complainant's preferred format or method of response to the complaint by the Commission and
defendant (e.g., letter, facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text,
audio-cassette recording, Braille; or some other method that will best accommodate the
complainant's disability).
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.418 Procedure; designation of agents for service.
(a) The Commission shall promptly forward any informal complaint meeting the requirements of § 68.17 to
each responsible party named in or determined by the staff to be implicated by the complaint. Such
responsible party or parties shall be called on to satisfy or answer the complaint within the time specified
by the Commission.
(b) To ensure prompt and effective service of informal complaints filed under this subpart, every responsible
party of equipment approved pursuant to this part shall designate and identify one or more agents upon
whom service may be made of all notices, inquiries, orders, decisions, and other pronouncements of the
Commission in any matter before the Commission. Such designation shall be provided to the
Commission and shall include a name or department designation, business address, telephone number,
and, if available, TTY number, facsimile number, and Internet e-mail address. The Commission shall make
this information available to the public.
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 73 FR 25591, May 7, 2008]
47 CFR 68.418(b) (enhanced display) page 44 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.419
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.419 Answers to informal complaints.
Any responsible party to whom the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau under this subpart directs an
informal complaint shall file an answer within the time specified by the Commission or the Consumer Information
Bureau. The answer shall:
(a) Be prepared or formatted in the manner requested by the complainant pursuant to § 68.417, unless
otherwise permitted by the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau for good cause shown;
(b) Describe any actions that the defendant has taken or proposes to take to satisfy the complaint;
(c) Advise the complainant and the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau of the nature of the
defense(s) claimed by the defendant;
(d) Respond specifically to all material allegations of the complaint; and
(e) Provide any other information or materials specified by the Commission or the Consumer Information
Bureau as relevant to its consideration of the complaint.
[66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001]
§ 68.420 Review and disposition of informal complaints.
(a) Where it appears from the defendant's answer, or from other communications with the parties, that an
informal complaint has been satisfied, the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau on
delegated authority may, in its discretion, consider the informal complaint closed, without response to the
complainant or defendant. In all other cases, the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau shall
inform the parties of its review and disposition of a complaint filed under this subpart. Where practicable,
this information (the nature of which is specified in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, shall be
transmitted to the complainant and defendant in the manner requested by the complainant, (e.g., letter,
facsimile transmission, telephone (voice/TRS/TTY), Internet e-mail, ASCII text, audio-cassette recording,
or Braille).
(b) In the event the Commission or the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau determines, based on a
review of the information provided in the informal complaint and the defendant's answer thereto, that no
further action is required by the Commission or the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau with
respect to the allegations contained in the informal complaint, the informal complaint shall be closed and
the complainant and defendant shall be duly informed of the reasons therefor. A complainant, unsatisfied
with the defendant's response to the informal complaint and the staff decision to terminate action on the
informal complaint, may file a complaint with the Commission or the Enforcement Bureau as specified in
§§ 68.400 through 68.412.
(c) In the event the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau on delegated authority determines,
based on a review of the information presented in the informal complaint and the defendant's answer
thereto, that a material and substantial question remains as to the defendant's compliance with the
requirements of this subpart, the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau may conduct such
further investigation or such further proceedings as may be necessary to determine the defendant's
compliance with the requirements of this subpart and to determine what, if any, remedial actions and/or
sanctions are warranted.
47 CFR 68.420(c) (enhanced display) page 45 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.420(d)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(d) In the event that the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau on delegated authority determines,
based on a review of the information presented in the informal complaint and the defendant's answer
thereto, that the defendant has failed to comply with or is presently not in compliance with the
requirements of this subpart, the Commission or the Consumer Information Bureau on delegated
authority may order or prescribe such remedial actions and/or sanctions as are authorized under the Act
and the Commission's rules and which are deemed by the Commission or the Consumer Information
Bureau on delegated authority to be appropriate under the facts and circumstances of the case.
[66 FR 7588, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 13229, Mar. 21, 2002]
§ 68.423 Actions by the Commission on its own motion.
The Commission may on its own motion conduct such inquiries and hold such proceedings as it may deem
necessary to enforce the requirements of this subpart. The procedures to be followed by the Commission shall,
unless specifically prescribed in the Act and the Commission's rules, be such as in the opinion of the Commission
will best serve the purposes of such inquiries and proceedings.
[66 FR 7588, Jan. 24, 2001]
Subpart F—ACS Telephonic CPE
Source: 83 FR 8633, Feb. 28, 2018, unless otherwise noted.
§ 68.501 Authorization procedures.
(a) Authorization required. Unless exempt from the requirements of §§ 68.4 and 68.6, ACS telephonic CPE
manufactured in or imported into the United States after February 28, 2020, shall be certified as hearing
aid compatible by a Telecommunications Certification Body or the responsible party shall follow the
procedures in this part for a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity to establish that such CPE is hearing aid
compatible.
(b) Certification. The requirements of §§ 68.160 and 68.162 shall apply to the certification of ACS telephonic
CPE as hearing aid compatible.
(c) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. The requirements of §§ 68.320–68.350 (except § 68.324(f)) shall
apply to the use of the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity procedure to establish that ACS telephonic
CPE is hearing aid compatible.
(d) Revocation procedures.
(1) The Commission may revoke the authorization of ACS telephonic CPE under this section, where:
(i) The equipment approval is shown to have been obtained by misrepresentation;
(ii) The responsible party willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with the terms and conditions of its
equipment approval; or
(iii) The responsible party willfully or repeatedly fails to comply with any rule, regulation or order
issued by the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934 relating to terminal
equipment.
47 CFR 68.501(d)(1)(iii) (enhanced display) page 46 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.501(d)(2)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(2) Before revoking such authorization, the Commission, or the Enforcement Bureau under delegated
authority, will issue a written Notice of Intent to Revoke part 68 Authorization, or a Joint Notice of
Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Notice of Intent to Revoke part 68 Authorization, pursuant to §§
1.80 and 1.89 of this chapter. The notice will be sent to the responsible party for the equipment at
issue at the address provided to the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments. A product that
has had its authorization revoked may not be reauthorized for a period of six months from the date
of revocation of the approval. A responsible party for ACS telephonic CPE that has had its
authorization revoked or that has been assessed a forfeiture, or both, may request reconsideration or
make administrative appeal of the decision pursuant to part 1 of the Commission's rules: Practice
and Procedure, part 1 of this chapter.
§ 68.502 Labeling, warranty, instructions, and notice of revocation of approval.
(a) Labeling —
(1) Hearing aid compatible equipment. All ACS telephonic CPE manufactured in the United States (other
than for export) or imported for use in the United States after February 28, 2020, that is hearing aid
compatible, as defined in §§ 68.316 and 68.317, shall have the letters “HAC” permanently affixed
thereto. “Permanently affixed” means that the label is etched, engraved, stamped, silkscreened,
indelibly printed, or otherwise permanently marked on a permanently attached part of the equipment
or on a nameplate of metal, plastic, or other material fastened to the equipment by welding, riveting,
or a permanent adhesive. The label must be designed to last the expected lifetime of the equipment
in the environment in which the equipment may be operated and must not be readily detachable.
(2) Non-hearing aid compatible equipment. Non-hearing aid compatible ACS telephonic CPE offered for
sale to the public on or after February 28, 2020, shall contain in a conspicuous location on the
surface of its packaging a statement that the ACS telephonic CPE is not hearing aid compatible, as
defined in §§ 68.4(a)(3), 68.316, 68.317, or if offered for sale without a surrounding package, shall
be affixed with a written statement that the telephone is not hearing aid compatible, as defined in §§
68.4(a)(3), 68.316 and 68.317; and be accompanied by instructions in accordance with §
68.218(b)(2).
(b) Warranty. In acquiring approval for equipment to be labeled and otherwise represented to be hearing aid
compatible, the responsible party warrants that each item of equipment marketed under such
authorization will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of this part and with the applicable
technical criteria.
(c) Instructions. The responsible party or its agent shall provide the user of the approved ACS telephonic CPE
the following:
(1) Any consumer instructions required to be included with approved ACS telephonic CPE by the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments;
(2) For ACS telephonic CPE that is not hearing aid compatible, as defined in § 68.316:
(i) Notice that FCC rules prohibit the use of that handset in certain locations; and
(ii) A list of such locations (see § 68.112).
(d) Notice of revocation. When approval is revoked for any item of equipment, the responsible party must take
all reasonable steps to ensure that purchasers and users of such equipment are notified to discontinue
use of such equipment.
47 CFR 68.502(d) (enhanced display) page 47 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.503
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.503 Complaint procedures.
The complaint procedures of §§ 68.414 through 68.423 shall apply to complaints regarding the hearing aid
compatibility of ACS telephonic CPE.
§ 68.504 Administrative Council on Terminal Attachments.
The database registration and labeling provisions of §§ 68.354, 68.610, and 68.612 shall apply to ACS telephonic
CPE that is approved as hearing aid compatible and is manufactured in or imported to the United States on or after
February 28, 2020. After that date, the information required by the Administrative Council on Terminal Attachments
shall be submitted within 30 days after the date that the equipment is manufactured in or imported into the United
States.
Subpart G—Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments
Source: 66 FR 7588, Jan. 24, 2001, unless otherwise noted.
§ 68.602 Sponsor of the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(a) The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry
Solutions (ATIS) jointly shall establish the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachment and shall
sponsor the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments for four years from the effective date of
these rules. The division of duties by which this responsibility is executed may be a matter of agreement
between these two parties; however, both are jointly and severally responsible for observing these rule
provisions. After four years from the effective date of these rules, and thereafter on a quadrennial basis,
the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments may vote by simple majority to be sponsored by any
ANSI-accredited organization.
(b) The sponsoring organizations shall ensure that the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments is
populated in a manner consistent with the criteria of American National Standards Institute's Organization
Method or the Standards Committee Method (and their successor Method or Methods as ANSI may from
time to time establish) for a balanced and open membership.
(c) After the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments is populated, the sponsors are responsible for
fulfilling secretariat positions as determined by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments. The
Administrative Council shall post on a publicly available web site and make available to the public in hard
copy form the written agreement into which it enters with the sponsor or sponsors.
[66 FR 7588, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002]
§ 68.604 Requirements for submitting technical criteria.
(a) Any standards development organization that is accredited under the American National Standards
Institute's Organization Method or the Standards Committee Method (and their successor Method or
Methods as ANSI may from time to time establish) may establish technical criteria for terminal equipment
pursuant to ANSI consensus decision-making procedures, and it may submit such criteria to the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
47 CFR 68.604(a) (enhanced display) page 48 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.604(b)
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
(b) Any ANSI-accredited standards development organization that develops standards for submission to the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments must implement and use procedures for the
development of those standards that ensure openness equivalent to the Commission rulemaking
process.
(c) Any standards development organization that submits standards to the Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments for publication as technical criteria shall certify to the Administrative Council for
Terminal Attachments that:
(1) The submitting standards development organization is ANSI-accredited to the Standards Committee
Method or the Organization Method (or their successor Methods as amended from time to time by
ANSI);
(2) The technical criteria that it proposes for publication do not conflict with any published technical
criteria or with any technical criteria submitted and pending for publication, and
(3) The technical criteria that it proposes for publication are limited to preventing harms to the public
switched telephone network, identified in § 68.3 of this part.
§ 68.608 Publication of technical criteria.
The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall place technical criteria proposed for publication on
public notice for 30 days. At the end of the 30 day public notice period, if there are no oppositions, the
Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall publish the technical criteria.
§ 68.610 Database of terminal equipment.
(a) The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall operate and maintain a database of all
approved terminal equipment. The database shall meet the requirements of the Federal Communications
Commission and the U.S. Customs Service for enforcement purposes. The database shall be accessible
by government agencies free of charge. Information in the database shall be readily available and
accessible to the public, including individuals with disabilities, at nominal or no costs.
(b) Responsible parties, whether they obtain their approval from a Telecommunications Certification Body or
utilize the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity process, shall submit to the database administrator all
information required by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments.
(c) The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall ensure that the database is created and
maintained in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner. The manner in which the database is created
and maintained shall not permit any entity or segment of the industry to gain a competitive advantage.
(d) The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall file with the Commission, within 180 days of
publication of these rules in the FEDERAL REGISTER, a detailed report of the structure of the database,
including details of how the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments will administer the
database, the pertinent information to be included in the database, procedures for including compliance
information in the database, and details regarding how the government and the public will access the
information.
47 CFR 68.610(d) (enhanced display) page 49 of 50
47 CFR Part 68 (up to date as of 2/20/2024)
47 CFR 68.612
Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network
§ 68.612 Labels on terminal equipment.
Terminal equipment certified by a Telecommunications Certification Body or approved by the Supplier's Declaration
of Conformity under this part shall be labeled. The Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments shall establish
appropriate labeling of terminal equipment. Labeling shall meet the requirements of the Federal Communications
Commission and the U.S. Customs Service for their respective enforcement purposes, and of consumers for
purposes of identifying the responsible party and model number.
[67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002]
§ 68.614 Oppositions and appeals.
(a) Oppositions filed in response to the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments' public notice of
technical criteria proposed for publication must be received by the Administrative Council for Terminal
Attachments within 30 days of public notice to be considered. Oppositions to proposed technical criteria
shall be addressed through the appeals procedures of the authoring standards development organization
and of the American National Standards Institute. If these procedures have been exhausted, the aggrieved
party shall file its opposition with the Commission for de novo review.
(b) As an alternative, oppositions to proposed technical criteria may be filed directly with the Commission for
de novo review within the 30 day public notice period.
47 CFR 68.614(b) (enhanced display) page 50 of 50
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