47 CFR Part 68 — Connection of Terminal Equipment to the Telephone Network

PART 68—CONNECTION OF TERMINAL EQUIPMENT TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 610. 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 of this part, 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, 68.160, 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. (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. Federal Register. Federal Register. [66 FR 7580, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 8632, Feb. 28, 2018; 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 68.3 Definitions. As used in this part: ACS telephonic CPE. Advanced communications services. Demarcation point (also point of interconnection). Essential telephones. Harm. Hearing aid compatible. Inside wiring or premises wiring. Premises. Private radio services. Public mobile services. Responsible party. Secure telephones. Terminal equipment. [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) [Reserved] (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; (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; 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 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. [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. (b) Minimum point of entry. (c) Single unit installations. (d) Multiunit installations. (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. (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 (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. (b) Systems assembled of combinations of individually-approved terminal equipment and protective circuitry. 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. (c) Systems using other than “fully protected” premises wiring. [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. (b) Availability of inside wiring information. [66 FR 7583, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 83 FR 31677, July 9, 2018] § 68.112 [Reserved] § 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. (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. Federal Register www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html [email protected]. (2) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IEC Central Office, 3, rue de Varembe, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, Email: [email protected],www.iec.ch www.iso.org; [email protected] www.nssn.org (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] § 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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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 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. Federal Register www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html [email protected]. (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]; www.iso.org. (i) ISO/IEC 17025:2017(E), General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, (ii) ISO/IEC 17065:2012(E), Conformity assessment—Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services, (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]; 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] § 68.211 Terminal equipment approval revocation procedures. (a) Causes for revocation. (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. (c) Delivery. (d) Reauthorization. (e) Reconsideration or appeal. [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. (b) Wiring authorized. (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. [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 than four subscriber access lines. (a) Types of wiring authorized Between equipment entities. (2) Between an equipment entity and the public switched telephone network interface(s). (3) Hardware protection as part of the facilities of the provider of wireline telecommunications. (b) Installation personnel. (c) Supervision. (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 General. minimum (2) Wire. (3) Places where the jacket or sheath has been removed. (4) Building and electrical codes. (5) Limitations on electrical signals. maximum 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: (6) Physical protection. (e) Documentation requirements. (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. (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. (1) Test procedure for two-way or outgoing lines or loops. (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. (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. (4) Monitoring or participation in acceptance testing by the provider of wireline telecommunications. (g) Extraordinary procedures. (1)(i) Conditions that may invoke these procedures. (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. (3) Inspection. (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. (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. (5) Notice of the right to bring a complaint. (h) Limitations on the foregoing if protected wiring requiring acceptance testing is used. (1) Supervision. (2) Extraordinary procedures. [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: (1) Consumer instructions required to be included with approved terminal equipment by the Administrative Council for Terminal Attachments; (2) [Reserved] (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, as amended at 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 68.224 [Reserved] 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (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. www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html [email protected]. (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], 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. (b) Registered terminal equipment with automatic dialing capability. Note to paragraph ( b 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: (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. (d) Telephone facsimile machines; Identification of the sender of the message. (e) Requirement that registered equipment allow access to common carriers. [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. (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, 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) [Reserved] [66 FR 7586, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 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. (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. (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) [Reserved] [66 FR 7587, Jan. 24, 2001, as amended at 67 FR 57182, Sept. 9, 2002; 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] Subpart E—Complaint Procedures §§ 68.400-68.412 [Reserved] § 68.414 Hearing aid-compatibility: Enforcement. Enforcement of § 68.4 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, 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. [91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 68.415 Hearing aid-compatibility and volume control informal complaints. Persons with complaints under § 68.4 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. [91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 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] § 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. (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. (b) Certification. (c) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. (d) Revocation procedures. (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. (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. [83 FR 8633, Feb. 28, 2018, as amended at 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 68.502 Labeling, warranty, instructions, and notice of revocation of approval. (a) Labeling Hearing aid compatible equipment. (2) Non-hearing aid compatible equipment. (b) Warranty. (c) Instructions. (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. (d) Notice of revocation. [83 FR 8633, Feb. 28, 2018, as amended at 91 FR 20377, Apr. 16, 2026] § 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. (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) [Reserved] [83 FR 8633, Feb. 28, 2018, as amended at 91 FR 20378, Apr. 16, 2026] § 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 (b) As an alternative, oppositions to proposed technical criteria may be filed directly with the Commission for de novo

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