[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/Simultaneous EU, US, and UK Launch GlobalStrategyRegulation guide # Simultaneous EU, US, and UK Hardware Certification Launching a connected hardware product simultaneously in the EU (CE marking), US (FCC authorization), and UK (UKCA marking) is the fastest route to maximum market coverage — but it requires coordinating three separate regulatory frameworks, test laboratories, and submission timelines in parallel. Done wrong, it costs double the time; done right, the overlapping test evidence substantially reduces cost and delay. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Feu-us-uk-simultaneous-launch) At a glance Parallel timeline 8–12 weeks Sequential timeline 20–30 weeks Test samples needed 4–8 units minimum Legal documents 3 separate DoCs required ## What can be shared across CE, FCC, and UKCA ### EMC Test Data **Detail:** EN 55032 (EU/UK) and ANSI C63.4 (US) are methodologically close. ACIL-accredited laboratories can produce dual-recognition test reports covering both standards in a single test campaign, eliminating the need for separate EMC test runs for EU/UK vs US. ### RF Test Data **Detail:** EN 300 328 (EU/UK Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz) and FCC Part 15 radio tests share measurement setups at 2.4 GHz. With careful test planning, a single RF test session can produce data usable for both the EU/UK DoC and FCC TCB submission, with modest supplementary testing for band-specific differences. ### Safety Test Data **Detail:** IEC 62368-1 (EU/UK) and UL 62368-1 (US) are the same underlying standard with national differences. Under the IECEE CB scheme, a single CB test report from a CBTL can support both EN 62368-1 and UL 62368-1 certification, eliminating safety test duplication across markets. ### What Cannot Be Shared **Detail:** Three market-specific legal documents are required regardless of test sharing: an FCC Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (US-only), a UKCA Declaration of Conformity (UK-specific), and a CE Declaration of Conformity (EU-specific). These are separate legal declarations and cannot be consolidated. ## Parallel certification timeline 01 Weeks 1–2: finalise product design for certification — no significant design changes after this point. Prepare test samples (minimum 4–8 units for a full parallel CE/FCC/UKCA campaign). Brief the chosen test laboratory on the parallel test plan. 02 Weeks 2–4: simultaneous submission to OATS/shielded room for EMC testing and RF test chamber for radio measurements. A single test campaign with dual-recognition reporting covers EU/UK and US requirements in parallel. 03 Weeks 4–8: FCC TCB (Telecommunications Certification Body) review commences concurrently with CE technical file preparation. UKCA technical file is assembled in parallel using the same test evidence. 04 Weeks 6–10: FCC Grant of Equipment Authorization issued upon successful TCB review. CE Declaration of Conformity and UKCA Declaration of Conformity are signed by the authorised signatory once technical file review is complete. 05 Weeks 8–12: simultaneous US market launch + EU market launch + UK market launch. The compressed parallel timeline vs sequential certification (which would take 20–30 weeks) represents a 40–50% time saving. ## Test laboratory selection for parallel campaigns ### Accreditation Requirements **Detail:** Select a laboratory holding NVLAP or A2LA accreditation for FCC testing, and UKAS (or equivalent national body) accreditation for CE/UKCA. Confirm the lab is accredited for both radio and EMC under a single facility — this eliminates sample shipping between labs. ### Major Labs Offering Parallel Campaigns **Detail:** SGS, Bureau Veritas, TÜV SÜD, and Intertek operate facilities accredited for FCC, CE, and UKCA testing. All four maintain test chambers accredited for simultaneous multi-market campaigns. Request a combined test plan quotation and confirm the facility holds all required accreditations before engaging. ### Combined Test Plan Approach **Detail:** Negotiate a single combined test plan covering all three markets with one assigned test engineer. A phased approach — single test run producing one report that feeds FCC TCB submission and EU/UK self-certification simultaneously — minimises total test time and sample usage. ### TCB Selection for FCC **Detail:** Select an FCC-recognised Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) that can accept the combined test report directly. Many TCBs are affiliated with the same major lab groups, allowing the test report to flow directly to the TCB review queue without re-formatting. ## Regulatory agent and legal entity requirements ### EU Authorised Representative **Detail:** Non-EU manufacturers placing products on the EU market under CE marking must appoint an EU Authorised Representative. The AR's name and address appear on the CE Declaration of Conformity and product label. Commercial AR services are widely available at approximately €1,500–3,000 per year per product family. ### UK Responsible Person **Detail:** Non-UK manufacturers placing products on the UK market under UKCA marking must appoint a UK Responsible Person. Similar role to the EU AR but under UK law (the Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations). Commercial UK RP services typically cost £1,200–2,500 per year. ### US Market — No AR Required for FCC **Detail:** FCC certification does not require a US authorised representative. A US mailing address on the product label is sufficient for most FCC Part 15 products. However, if the product is a consumer product subject to CPSC oversight, a registered US importer or agent is required for CPSC Section 15(b) incident reporting. ### Combining AR and RP Services **Detail:** Several compliance service providers offer combined EU AR + UK RP packages. Bundling reduces administrative overhead and ensures consistent DoC management across both markets. Budget approximately €2,000–5,000 per year for combined EU/UK representative services. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a single test report from an accredited lab cover CE, UKCA, and FCC simultaneously? Yes, with proper test planning. A laboratory holding both NVLAP/A2LA (for FCC) and UKAS/equivalent (for CE/UKCA) accreditation can produce a single test report that references results against EN 55032 (EU/UK), ANSI C63.4 (US), EN 300 328 (EU/UK radio), and FCC Part 15 (US radio). The report format must explicitly call out compliance against each standard. The FCC TCB accepts the combined report for its review, while the EU/UK technical file references the same document. ### Is a UK Responsible Person the same as an EU Authorised Representative? They serve equivalent roles in their respective markets but are legally distinct. The EU AR is appointed under EU product safety legislation and must be established in an EU member state. The UK RP is appointed under UK product safety regulations (post-Brexit) and must be established in the United Kingdom. A single company cannot simultaneously act as both unless it has legal entities in both the EU and UK. Most commercial AR/RP service providers are structured with separate EU and UK entities for this reason. ### What is the minimum number of test samples needed for a parallel CE/FCC/UKCA campaign? For a connected product (radio + EMC + safety), plan for a minimum of 4–8 test units for a parallel campaign: typically 2 units for EMC/radio testing, 2 units for safety testing (some destructive tests consume samples), and 1–2 units held in reserve for re-testing or TCB query resolution. Some FCC TCBs require an additional sample for their own review. Confirm sample quantities with both the test laboratory and the FCC TCB before sample preparation. ### How do CE and UKCA DoC documents differ from each other? Both documents serve the same purpose — a manufacturer's legal declaration that the product meets the applicable requirements — but reference different legislative frameworks. The CE DoC references EU directives and regulations (e.g. Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU). The UKCA DoC references the corresponding UK statutory instruments (e.g. Radio Equipment Regulations 2017, Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016). The test standards referenced may be identical (EN 300 328, EN 62368-1) but the legislative references and signatory requirements differ. Separate documents are required for each market. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements and timelines vary by product type and change over time. Consult a qualified compliance engineer and appointed legal representatives for each market before launch. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇪🇺 CE Marking compliance for you? 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