# How to Pick a Test Lab: Accreditation, Price, and Red Flags

Not all test labs are created equal — and using a lab that lacks the right accreditation scope can result in test reports that regulatory bodies won't accept, forcing a costly retest. This short covers the non-negotiable accreditation requirements for CE, FCC, and Indian certifications, the factors that actually matter when comparing labs, and the red flags that should make you walk away.


## Transcript

### The hidden lab selection risk

Choosing the wrong test lab is one of the most expensive mistakes a hardware company can make — not bad work, but accreditation that doesn't cover your specific tests. You find out when your CE application gets rejected. Here's how to evaluate labs first.

### Accreditation specifics and other factors

For CE marking, your lab needs EA-member accreditation — UKAS, DAkkS, COFRAC. For FCC, it must be on the KDB list or ILAC MRA-accredited. For BIS CRS in India, it must be BIS-recognized. Accreditation covers specific standards — a lab accredited for EN 55032 may lack EN 300 328. Download their schedule and verify every standard.

### How to evaluate a lab

Never take a lab's word that they're accredited for CE marking. Download their schedule, confirm each standard is explicitly listed, and check it hasn't expired. A lab quoting well below market is often cutting corners on scope.

Tags: test lab, EMC testing, accreditation, CE marking, FCC