Start from the market, not the mark
Compliance is simpler when you work backwards from where the cameras will be sold and what they contain. A basic dash cam without radio is a different case from one with WiFi, and a supercapacitor model is different from one with a lithium battery. Rules also change, and local interpretation varies, so treat this page as general information and confirm with a compliance adviser or accredited lab before launch. The desk's role is narrower: to ask the right questions early and to collect the documents from the partner factory.
United States: FCC Part 15
Dash cams are unintentional or intentional radiators of radio-frequency energy, and the route depends on which. A model without WiFi is an unintentional radiator and can use the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) under Subpart B, with a test report showing it meets the Class B limits used for consumer devices. A WiFi model is an intentional radiator and needs an FCC ID, which comes from certification through an accredited lab and a grantee. In practice, that means WiFi models have a longer document trail, and the grantee name on the filing should be checked against the product you receive.
Europe: CE, RED, RoHS and WEEE
CE marking for a dash cam covers electromagnetic compatibility and low-voltage safety. WiFi models also fall under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). RoHS restricts specified hazardous substances, and WEEE marking relates to electrical waste collection. Together they form the usual European paper set: declaration of conformity, test reports from a lab, and a technical file kept by the manufacturer or importer of record. The CE and RED guide goes further.
| Item | Applies to | Who holds the documents | What a buyer can request |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCC SDoC | US, models without WiFi | Producing factory or responsible party | Test report, declaration |
| FCC ID | US, WiFi models | Grantee named on the filing | Grant, filing number, test report |
| CE (EMC, LVD) and RED | EU, all models; RED for WiFi | Manufacturer and lab | Declaration, reports, technical file extract |
| RoHS and WEEE | EU, all models | Manufacturer | RoHS report, marking on product and box |
| E-mark (UNECE R10) | Vehicle electronics, UNECE 1958 Agreement countries | Approval holder | Approval number and certificate |
| UKCA | Great Britain | Manufacturer or importer | Declaration and supporting reports |
| UN38.3 and SDS | Lithium battery models in air and sea freight | Battery supplier | Test summary, safety data sheet |
Vehicle EMC and the E-mark
The E-mark, based on UNECE Regulation No. 10, covers electromagnetic compatibility of vehicle electronic sub-assemblies and is mutually recognized across countries that follow the UNECE 1958 Agreement. It is not required for every consumer dash cam, but it matters for commercial-vehicle, fleet and installer programs where procurement rules ask for it. If your buyers include fleets, raise it early; approval is tied to a specific product and holder, so it cannot be added at the last minute. See the E-mark guide and fleet solutions.
UK and other markets
Great Britain uses UKCA, which in most cases asks for a similar technical basis to CE but with its own declaration and importer rules. Other markets, such as Japan and Korea, have their own radio rules and must be confirmed per market. The desk does not assume that a certificate for one region covers another. See UKCA and other markets for a starting point.
Batteries and shipping
Models with a lithium battery need a UN38.3 test summary and a safety data sheet for air and sea freight, and carriers apply their own rules on top. Supercapacitor models avoid lithium-battery shipping restrictions, which is one of the reasons the desk often recommends them for hot markets and simpler freight. Plan for this when choosing the line, not after the first booking is refused.
What to request before an order
- Test reports and declarations for each market you sell into, with model names and numbers matching the product.
- For WiFi models, the radio filing details and the lab name.
- For battery models, the UN38.3 summary and safety data sheet.
- Any vehicle approval number, if your buyers require it.
Rules vary by country and state; check local law and confirm with a compliance adviser. Send your target markets with the quote form and the shortlist will list the documents each model can supply.