Which rules apply to phones, tablets and networking?

A claim that the product or its package is free of lead or does not contain or use lead.

Must meet the conditions of A claim that the product is free of lead must be truthful and be clearly and prominently qualified to the extent necessary to avoid deception. Even a truthful claim may be deceptive if the product contains or uses substances that pose the same or similar environmental risks, or if lead has not been associated with the product category. A free-of claim can be appropriate for a trace amount only if the level is no more than an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level, its presence does not cause material harm that consumers typically associate with the substance, and it was not added intentionally. These Guides are the FTC's guidance on how Section 5 of the FTC Act applies to environmental claims; they do not ban the claim, but the FTC can act against a claim that is inconsistent with them.

• Claim: lead-free

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the current Guides (October 11, 2012); it states no separate effective date.

A non-toxic claim made for the product or its package.

Must meet the conditions of Do not misrepresent, directly or by implication, that the product, package or service is non-toxic. Qualify a non-toxic claim clearly and prominently to the extent necessary to avoid deception.

• Claim: non-toxic

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the current Guides (October 11, 2012); it states no separate effective date.

A claim that the product or its package is free of PFAS or does not contain or use PFAS.

Must meet the conditions of A claim that the product is free of PFAS must be truthful and be clearly and prominently qualified to the extent necessary to avoid deception. Even a truthful claim may be deceptive if the product contains or uses substances that pose the same or similar environmental risks, or if PFAS has not been associated with the product category. A free-of claim can be appropriate for a trace amount only if the level is no more than an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level, its presence does not cause material harm that consumers typically associate with the substance, and it was not added intentionally. These Guides are the FTC's guidance on how Section 5 of the FTC Act applies to environmental claims; they do not ban the claim, but the FTC can act against a claim that is inconsistent with them.

• Claim: PFAS-free

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the current Guides (October 11, 2012); it states no separate effective date.

A claim that the product or its package is free of PTFE or does not contain or use PTFE.

Must meet the conditions of A claim that the product is free of PTFE must be truthful and be clearly and prominently qualified to the extent necessary to avoid deception. Even a truthful claim may be deceptive if the product contains or uses substances that pose the same or similar environmental risks, or if PTFE has not been associated with the product category. A free-of claim can be appropriate for a trace amount only if the level is no more than an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level, its presence does not cause material harm that consumers typically associate with the substance, and it was not added intentionally. These Guides are the FTC's guidance on how Section 5 of the FTC Act applies to environmental claims; they do not ban the claim, but the FTC can act against a claim that is inconsistent with them.

• Claim: PTFE-free

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the current Guides (October 11, 2012); it states no separate effective date.

A recyclable claim made for the product or its package.

Must meet the conditions of Market the item as recyclable only if it can be collected, separated or otherwise recovered from the waste stream through an established recycling program for reuse or for use in making another item. Make an unqualified claim only when recycling facilities are available to a substantial majority (at least 60 percent) of consumers or communities where the item is sold; otherwise qualify the claim. Qualify which portions are recyclable when only some components are, and do not call the item recyclable if any component, or its shape or size, significantly limits recycling. These Guides are the FTC's guidance on how Section 5 of the FTC Act applies to environmental claims; they do not ban the claim, but the FTC can act against a claim that is inconsistent with them.

• Claim: recyclable

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the current Guides (October 11, 2012); it states no separate effective date.

A label that represents the product as Made in the United States without qualification.

Must meet the conditions of Label a product as Made in the United States only if its final assembly or processing occurs in the United States, all significant processing that goes into it occurs in the United States, and all or virtually all of its ingredients or components are made and sourced in the United States. The same applies to a seal, mark, tag or stamp in a mail order catalog or mail order promotional material. A violation is treated as a violation of a trade regulation rule under section 18 of the FTC Act.

• Claim: Made in USA

In force, start date unknown

The text states only the Federal Register publication date of the rule (July 14, 2021); it states no separate effective date.

If you give a written warranty, put all its terms in one clear document: who and what is covered, what you will do, how long, how to claim, and the required State-rights statements

Disclosure to buyer

Written warranty terms (16 CFR 701.3(a)): a warrantor who gives a written warranty on a consumer product costing the consumer more than $15.00 must clearly and conspicuously disclose, in a single document in simple and readily understood language: (1) who the warranty is extended to, if limited to the original purchaser or otherwise; (2) the products, parts or components covered and, where needed, excluded; (3) what the warrantor will do on a defect or failure, and what it will pay for or provide; (4) when the term starts if not on the purchase date, and how long it lasts; (5) step by step how to claim, with the warrantor's name and mailing address or responsible department, or a free telephone number; (6) any informal dispute settlement mechanism (part 703); (7) any limit on the duration of implied warranties, with "Some States do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you."; (8) any exclusion or limit on incidental or consequential damages, with its State-law statement; (9) "This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State." If return of a registration card is a condition of coverage, the warranty must say so (701.4).

• It is a consumer product (tangible personal property normally used for personal, family or household purposes) (16 CFR 701.1(b), 702.1(b))
• You give a written warranty on a consumer product that costs the consumer more than $15 (16 CFR 701.2: the rules apply to "written warranties on consumer products actually costing the consumer more than $15.00"; 701.1(h): a warrantor is "any supplier, manufacturer, or other person who gives or offers to give a written warranty")

In force since 1 Jan 1977

Applies to products manufactured on or after 1 Jan 1977

Parts 701 and 702 apply only to written warranties on products manufactured after December 31, 1976 (16 CFR 700.12); 702.3 was last revised at 81 FR 63669, Sept. 15, 2016 (online warranty terms option).

Make the written warranty's text available to the buyer before the sale (in store, catalog or online listing, door to door); the warrantor supplies the text or posts it online

Disclosure to buyer

Pre-sale availability of written warranty terms (16 CFR 702.3), for consumer products costing the consumer more than $15.00. Seller (702.3(a)): make the warranty text readily available before sale by displaying it close to the product, or by furnishing it on request with signs telling buyers it is available. Catalog and mail order sellers, including any offer whose ordering does not need a visit to the seller (702.3(c)): give the full text, or the warrantor's web address plus where to request a free copy, beside the product description or in a referenced section. Door-to-door sellers: say before the sale that the warranties may be inspected (702.3(d)). Warrantor (702.3(b)(1)): give sellers the warranty materials (a copy with every product, a tag or label with the full text, the text on a display carton, or a sign or poster, with a copy in the box), and give catalog, mail order and door-to-door sellers copies; or (702.3(b)(2)) post the terms on its website, state the web address and a non-Internet way to request them in the manual or on the product or package, and send a free hard copy on request.

• It is a consumer product (tangible personal property normally used for personal, family or household purposes) (16 CFR 701.1(b), 702.1(b))
• You give a written warranty on a consumer product that costs the consumer more than $15, or sell such a product with one (16 CFR 702.3: "The following requirements apply to consumer products actually costing the consumer more than $15.00"; the seller's duties are in 702.3(a), the warrantor's in 702.3(b))

In force since 1 Jan 1977

Applies to products manufactured on or after 1 Jan 1977

Parts 701 and 702 apply only to written warranties on products manufactured after December 31, 1976 (16 CFR 700.12); 702.3 was last revised at 81 FR 63669, Sept. 15, 2016 (online warranty terms option).

Food additives (substances whose intended use results in their becoming a component of food)

Must meet the conditions of Substances whose intended use results or may reasonably be expected to result in their becoming a component of food, and that are not exempted by section 201(s) of the Act, are food additives

• The intended use of a substance in it results or may reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in its becoming a component of food

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-10-07 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Substances added to food claimed to be generally recognized as safe

Must meet the conditions of General recognition of safety may be based only on the views of qualified experts, by scientific procedures or by common use in food before January 1, 1958; a substance not so recognised is a food additive requiring approval

• A substance in it that may become a component of food is used as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) rather than as an approved food additive

In force, start date unknown

In force no later than 2026-10-07 (the date of the version ClaraDB holds); earlier commencement is not stated in the published text.

Products and articles containing decaBDE (decabromodiphenyl ether, CASRN 1163-19-5) may not be manufactured, processed or distributed in commerce in the United States

Must meet the conditions of 40 CFR 751.405(a)(1)(i): all persons are prohibited from all manufacturing and processing of decaBDE or decaBDE-containing products or articles after March 8, 2021, and from all distribution in commerce of decaBDE or decaBDE-containing products or articles after January 6, 2022. (a)(1)(ii): products or articles containing decaBDE below 0.1 percent by weight are outside the prohibition if the decaBDE was not intentionally added. Later dates apply to listed uses ((a)(2): hospitality curtains, nuclear wire and cable insulation, aerospace and motor vehicle parts, plastic shipping pallets). (c): manufacturers, processors and distributors keep records showing compliance for five years.

• DecaBDE was added to it, or to a part of it, during manufacture (40 CFR 751.405(a)(1)(ii): below 0.1 percent by weight and not intentionally added, the ban does not apply)

In force since 7 Jan 2022

Applies to products distributed on or after 7 Jan 2022

Distribution in commerce is prohibited “after January 6, 2022”, so from January 7, 2022; manufacturing and processing were prohibited after March 8, 2021.

Articles containing PIP (3:1) (phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1), CASRN 68937-41-7) may not be distributed in commerce in the United States

Must meet the conditions of 40 CFR 751.407(a)(1): all persons are prohibited from all processing and distributing in commerce of PIP (3:1), including in PIP (3:1)-containing products or articles, except as (a)(2) and (b) provide. (a)(2)(iii): after October 31, 2024 all processing of PIP (3:1) for use in articles and of PIP (3:1)-containing articles is prohibited, and after October 31, 2026 all distribution in commerce of PIP (3:1)-containing articles. Products or articles with less than 0.1 percent by weight of PIP (3:1) that was not intentionally added are outside the prohibition. (c): manufacturers, processors and distributors keep records showing compliance for five years.

• PIP (3:1) was added to it, or to a part of it, during manufacture (40 CFR 751.407(a)(1): below 0.1 percent by weight and not intentionally added, the ban does not apply)

In force since 1 Nov 2026

Applies to products distributed on or after 1 Nov 2026

Distribution in commerce of PIP (3:1)-containing articles is prohibited “After October 31, 2026”, so from November 1, 2026; processing of PIP (3:1)-containing articles was prohibited after October 31, 2024.

§ 430.32(w)(4)

Label required

International Efficiency Marking Protocol mark for external power supplies, clear and permanent

• EU ecodesign or energy-label product group: External power supply

Depends on: product group ecodesign

In force since 1 Jul 2008

Applies to products manufactured on or after 1 Jul 2008

See the published text.

US: consumer-products-with-button-cells

Must meet the conditions of ANSI/UL 4200A, Standard for Safety for Products Incorporating Button Batteries or Coin Cell Batteries (approved August 30, 2023)

• It is a consumer product containing a button cell or coin battery, or such a battery sold on its own or packaged with one (16 CFR 1263.2 (Consumer product containing button cell or coin batteries))
• Contains a button or coin cell

Depends on: button or coin cell

In force since 23 Oct 2023

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 23 Oct 2023

Effective October 23, 2023 (§1263.1(b)).

47 CFR 15.101(a)

Must meet the conditions of unintentional radiators shall be authorized prior to the initiation of marketing, pursuant to the procedures for certification or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) given in subpart J of part 2

• Digital device (US FCC)

Depends on: fcc digital device

In force since 2 Nov 2017

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 2 Nov 2017

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 82 FR 50832, 2017-11-02; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.105(a)

Disclosure to consumer

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules (commercial environment statement)

• Digital device (US FCC)
• Digital device marketed for home use (US FCC Class B): no
• It is a Class A digital device or peripheral

Depends on: fcc digital device, fcc class b digital device

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.105(b)

Disclosure to consumer

Class B interference statement and corrective measures (reorient antenna, increase separation, different outlet, consult dealer) in a prominent place in the manual

• Digital device marketed for home use (US FCC Class B)

Depends on: fcc class b digital device

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.19(a)(3)

Label required

statement: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.; on the device in a conspicuous location; in the user manual and on packaging or a removable label if the device is too small for four-point type and has no electronic display (§ 15.19(a)(5))

• Radio-frequency device (US FCC Part 15)

Depends on: fcc part15 device

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.201(b)

Must meet the conditions of all intentional radiators operating under the provisions of this part shall be certified by the Telecommunication Certification Bodies pursu

• Sends or receives radio signals

Depends on: radio equipment

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

§ 15.203

Must meet the conditions of § 15.203: intentional radiators designed so that no antenna other than that furnished by the responsible party can be used (permanently attached, unique coupling or professional installation)

• Sends or receives radio signals

Depends on: radio equipment

In force since 1 Sep 2017

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 1 Sep 2017

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 82 FR 41559, 2017-09-01; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.21

Disclosure to consumer

manual cautions that changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment (manual may be electronic)

• Radio-frequency device (US FCC Part 15)

Depends on: fcc part15 device

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 15.247(a)

Must meet the conditions of 47 CFR 15.247: a frequency hopping or digitally modulated intentional radiator in 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz or 5725-5850 MHz meets the section's channel, peak output power (§ 15.247(b)), out-of-band emission (§ 15.247(d)) and power spectral density (§ 15.247(e)) limits

• Sends or receives radio signals
• It operates as a frequency hopping or digitally modulated intentional radiator within the bands 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, or 5725-5850 MHz

Depends on: radio equipment

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

§ 15.107(a)

Must meet the conditions of 47 CFR 15.107(a): RF voltage conducted onto the AC power line, 150 kHz to 30 MHz, within the table limits

• Digital device marketed for home use (US FCC Class B)
• Powered from the mains

Depends on: fcc class b digital device, mains powered

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

§ 15.109(a)

Must meet the conditions of 47 CFR 15.109(a): field strength at 3 m not above 100 uV/m (30-88 MHz), 150 (88-216), 200 (216-960), 500 (above 960)

• Digital device marketed for home use (US FCC Class B)

Depends on: fcc class b digital device

In force since 25 Apr 1989

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 25 Apr 1989

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 54 FR 17714, 1989-04-25; earlier commencement is not stated.

47 CFR 18.203(a)

Must meet the conditions of Consumer ISM equipment, unless otherwise specified, must be authorized under either the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity or the certific

• Heats or powers with radio-frequency energy it makes (induction, microwave or wireless power), FCC Part 18 ISM equipment

Depends on: ism equipment

In force since 2 Nov 2017

Applies to products placed on the market on or after 2 Nov 2017

Section-history date: the first Federal Register citation of the section's source note in the stored eCFR text is 82 FR 50834, 2017-11-02; earlier commencement is not stated.