Apple May No Longer Be Required to Etch FCC Labels on iPhone

MacRumors · Jul 11, 2014

Currently, the FCC requires any device that wants its certification to have a nameplate or etched label that displays an ID and approval from the agency. Today, the FCC has loosened its rules (via MultiChannel) regarding labeling, allowing manufacturers to bypass etching FCC labels on its devices, like Apple's iPhone.

Verizon iPhone 4 without FCC label on left, iPhone 4 with FCC label on right.

Many consumer devices have very small surface areas for a label, or when etched on the surface, the labeling may cause damage or require very expensive techniques. In such instances, the rules permit the Commission to approve alternative means of displaying the required information.

The change comes shortly after Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced the E-Label Act, which allows companies to meet the FCC's label demands using digital stamps on the device rather than etching labels onto the hardware. The two Senators argue the change would allow manufacturers to save money, allowing them to pass the savings on to consumers.

"As manufacturers continue to produce groundbreaking technologies, it only makes sense that federal labeling requirements for these products are updated to further promote innovation and create new opportunities in the digital age," Fischer said in a statement. "This bipartisan measure will provide relief for job creators, benefit consumers, and promote modern regulations that better suit a 21st century marketplace."

The FCC's solution is fairly similar to the one the Senators proposed, and would require companies like Apple to place the digital labels three menus deep within a phone's device menu. The device's user manual must include where to find the FCC labels, or the information must be on the manufacturer's website.

It's highly likely Apple takes advantage of either the FCC's new rules or the E-Label Act, as the labels sit counter to Apple's focus on clean, minimal design on its devices. However, it's unclear when or how Apple would take advantage of the new rules.

Article Link: Apple May No Longer Be Required to Etch FCC Labels on iPhone

sputnikv · Jul 11, 2014

this is a game changer
/s

kerrikins · Jul 11, 2014

Hmm, this could be both good and bad. Good because I'm sure purists will like having less text on their phones. Bad because if the display of the phone or the phone itself dies, it could be difficult to verify the IMEI (average user won't care, but tech support worker will!)

KieranDotW · Jul 11, 2014

I've always wondered why competitor's devices never seem to display these labels. I figured they were under the battery cover, which is why Apple's would have to be in full view. But this will certainly clean things up for the caseless/bumper community.

appleguy123 · Jul 11, 2014

iPhone 4 was the most beautiful iPhone design.

troop231 · Jul 11, 2014

MacRumors said:
Today,*the FCC has*loosened its rules*

Asterisks much?

KUguardgrl13 · Jul 11, 2014

Wow
So change
Much cheap

/s

swb1192 · Jul 11, 2014

kerrikins said:
Hmm, this could be both good and bad. Good because I'm sure purists will like having less text on their phones. Bad because if the display of the phone or the phone itself dies, it could be difficult to verify the IMEI (average user won't care, but tech support worker will!)

There will be no less text:

The change comes shortly after*Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced the E-Label Act, which allows companies to meet the FCC's label demands using digital stamps on the device rather than etching labels onto the hardware

SPNarwhal · Jul 11, 2014

i like the FCC labels

farewelwilliams · Jul 11, 2014

jony ive must be the happiest person in the world right now.

fluchtpunkt · Jul 11, 2014

The photo is very misleading. Four of the five labels that are missing on the "without FCC label" device have nothing to do with FCC. And the FCC numbers that could be removed are still printed on this device.

If there will be any changes they will be very small, the CE symbol, the 0682 (the organization that did the CE certification), the exclamation mark (class II radio device according to CE), the trash can (for WEEE, saying "electronics don't go into the trash can"), the declaration of origin and the model number are still required by european law. If you don't have those on the actual hardware you can't bring the iPhone to Europe. Yes, even if you are just visiting. So Apple will keep them.

And of course the IC ID, certification for Canada, will stay as well. And Apple will probably keep the serial number too.

So what can be removed? The FCC logo, and the FCC-ID. The next iPhone might come with slightly less print, but there will be print. Jony Ive will not be as happy as one could expect after reading the article.

EDIT: I used my mad pixelmator skills to show which labels will stay. Don't be too disappointed.

rp2011 · Jul 11, 2014

what? the couldn't fit all that info on the iwatch?

any little bit they can save counts.

richwoodrocket · Jul 11, 2014

Apple May No Longer Be Required to Etch FCC Labels on iPhone

Meh. I honestly don't care that it's there. Just so long as there isn't any carrier branding im good.

Altis · Jul 11, 2014

The two Senators argue the change would allow manufacturers to save money, allowing them to pass the savings on to consumers.

I can't wait for Apple to reduce prices by $0.02. Cause that will happen.

Even that's an exaggeration since they still have to etch other information on there.

kerrikins · Jul 11, 2014

swb1192 said:
There will be no less text:

...what? Your comment completely confused me, because of this:

The FCC's solution is fairly similar to the one the Senators proposed, and would require companies like Apple to place the digital labels three menus deep within a phone's device menu.

Unless you were trying to get at what fluchtpunkt explained, but the info you quoted doesn't explain that at all.

081440 · Jul 11, 2014

My iPhone 5 already has no etchings

This is a refurbished model... just realized I don't have those etchings. Is it true I wouldn't be allowed to bring it into Europe?!

[/IMG]

MR-LIZARD · Jul 11, 2014

This information is also already held electronically.

Settings > General > About > Legal > Regulatory

All of the regulatory notices for lots of different countries are contained here. Seems Apple could move the "Regulatory" menu down one level to be compliant. Or maybe it's already at the 3rd level. Not sure which bit you would count to

The above is based on my device. I'm running iOS 7.1.2. May be in a different location if your version differs.

TriforceofTime · Jul 11, 2014

I believe they're already buried deep in General > About > Legal > Regulatory

APlotdevice · Jul 11, 2014

Altis said:
I can't wait for Apple to reduce prices by $0.02. Cause that will happen.

Even that's an exaggeration since they still have to etch other information on there.

Even if the savings were all that significant, it's wishful thinking to believe companies would pass those savings onto the consumer.

Reason077 · Jul 11, 2014

appleguy123 said:
iPhone 4 was the most beautiful iPhone design.

iPhone 4 was the most fragile iPhone design. It had glass on both sides which shattered too easily. It was bulky, blocky and heavy. It had sharp edges that didn't feel nice in your hand.

CarpalMac · Jul 11, 2014

appleguy123 said:
iPhone 4 was the most beautiful iPhone design.

It was the first gadget I truly lusted after and what got me using Apple products. I went from there to the 4S. Nothing (phone wise) from Apple since has come close to tempting me.

Wild Warg · Jul 12, 2014

I'm not foreseeing any savings passed on to us consumers as a result. A nice thought though...

sully54 · Jul 12, 2014

I don't understand why they can't just make the regulatory logos smaller than they currently are. Is there a specific size these have to be?

NightFox · Jul 12, 2014

081440 said:
This is a refurbished model... just realized I don't have those etchings. Is it true I wouldn't be allowed to bring it into Europe?!

You wouldn't be able to import it into Europe and sell it commercially, but no-ones going to have an issue with you just using it.

joelypolly · Jul 12, 2014

081440 said:
This is a refurbished model... just realized I don't have those etchings. Is it true I wouldn't be allowed to bring it into Europe?!
...

Is this refurbished from Apple or third party? Usually third parties use non original backs to get it feeling new.

Apple May No Longer Be Required to Etch FCC Labels on iPhone

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