Meaning
Equipment manufacturers that incorporate pre-certified radio modules into their finished products bear the ultimate responsibility for overall regulatory compliance. This legal and regulatory responsibility, known as host integrator liability, means that the final product must comply with all applicable emission limits, even if the module was already certified. If the integrated system causes harmful interference, the manufacturer of the finished product is held responsible.
This principle ensures that the final assembly is safe and compliant before sale.
Compliance Risk
Unintended radiation can occur when a radio module is placed close to other high-speed digital circuits or metallic enclosures. These interactions can create spurious emissions that violate radio frequency standards. Despite using a certified module, the complete device can fail regulatory tests due to these internal coupling effects.
This risk makes host integrator liability a primary focus during the final assembly design.
Verification Duty
Companies must perform partial emissions testing on the fully assembled product to verify that no new interference has been introduced. This spot-checking is a direct consequence of host integrator liability to ensure that the final system works within the legal limits.
Agreement Shield
Clear contracts between the module supplier and the product manufacturer can help allocate financial risks. These documents specify who pays for re-testing if the module fails to perform as specified. Having a clear agreement ensures that both parties understand their roles in maintaining compliance.
