Regulatory Background in the United States

The United States has strict supervision over the import of electrical and electronic equipment. To ensure public safety, health, the environment, and personal safety, the US federal government, local governments, and other authoritative agencies have formulated a series of regulations and standards. Among them, OSHA, FCC, and DOE are the three major regulatory agencies, which are responsible for workplace safety, safety of communication products, and energy conservation and environmental protection respectively.

Laws and regulations in the United States

There are multiple laws and regulations in the United States regarding the import of electrical and electronic equipment. Among them, the USCP65 Act, the USTPCH Act, and USlaw104 - 142(HR2024) are the three main laws, which respectively cover warning labels for chemicals, restrictions on hazardous substances in packaging materials, and restrictions on hazardous substances in batteries.

Product control scope

According to the definitions in the United States and the United Kingdom, electrical and electronic equipment mainly refers to equipment that depends on electric current or electromagnetic fields to function properly. These devices may include mobile phones, laptops, chargers, batteries, etc. In addition, these devices should also have appropriate means of recycling or reuse at the end of their service life.

Specific regulatory requirements

a. Plugs and sockets

? Standard requirements: All plugs and sockets imported into the United States must comply with the US ANSI standard, especially UL 498.
? Chemical warning: According to the US CP 65 Act, if a product contains specific chemicals on the list, a Warning label needs to be affixed to the product.
? Packaging requirements: In accordance with the US TPCH Act, the total amount of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in the packaging materials of plugs and sockets must be less than 100mg/kg.

b. Power banks

? Safety standards: Power banks need to meet the UL 2054 or UL 62368 - 1+UL2054/UL2056 standards.
? Safety of communication products: If a power bank has a wireless function, it needs to meet the FCCs Part 15B standard and pass the FCC certification.
? Battery requirements: According to US law 104-142 (HR2024), mercury content in batteries must be below the specified limits.

c. Mobile phone and laptop batteries

? Safety standards: It needs to meet the UL 2054 or UL 62133 - 2 standards.
? Safety of communication products: If a battery has a wireless function, it needs to meet the FCCs Part 15B standard and pass the FCC certification.
? Battery requirements: According to US law 104-142 (HR2024), mercury content in batteries must be below the specified limits.

d. Mobile phone and laptop chargers

? Safety standards: Chargers must meet the UL 62368 - 1 or UL 60950 - 1 standards and be recognized by NRTL.
? Safety of communication products: If a charger has a wireless function, it needs to meet the FCCs Part 15B standard and pass the FCC certification.
? Energy - saving requirements: In accordance with the requirements of DOE, all chargers must meet the 10 CFR 430.32(w) - Energy Conservation Program standard.
? Chemical warning: According to the US CP 65 Act, if a charger contains specific chemicals on the list, a Warning label needs to be affixed to the product.
? Packaging requirements: In accordance with the US TPCH Act, the total amount of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in the packaging materials of chargers must be less than 100mg/kg.

Electrical and electronic products in the United Statesequipment. For example, Indonesia has the SNI certification, Thailand has the TISI certification, and the Philippines has the BPS certification. It is necessary to confirm in advance the equipment voltage (such as 380V/50Hz in Thailand), the compatibility of the CE certification, and the proof of environmentally friendly materials.These requirements are to protect public health and safety and also to protect the environment. Before entering the US market, exporters must fully understand these requirements and ensure that their products fully meet these requirements. This can not only avoid potential legal risks but also help exporters better compete in the US market.