Entering the U.S. market is a huge opportunity for electronics manufacturers, but also a major challenge. One of the most demanding steps is meeting the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Every device that emits radio waves or operates in an electromagnetic environment must undergo electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, including emissions testing. These tests determine whether a product can be approved for sale or if its launch will be delayed by months.
Choosing the right testing laboratory is not only about cost – experience, equipment, turnaround time, and knowledge of international regulations are equally important. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of the top EMC testing labs in the USA, accredited by the FCC, alongside a broader ranking of top EMC testing companies worldwide. These laboratories support companies in the certification process – from tech startups to global corporations.
Most hardware built for the US market eventually ships to Europe as well, and both regimes test the same physics against different limits and documentation rules. If a European launch is already on the roadmap, plan the EMC testing for CE certification campaign next to the FCC work rather than after it.
The ranking of the best EMC laboratories in the USA was developed based on the analysis of several key criteria that impact the overall testing process:
Thanks to these criteria, the ranking reflects not only the formal competencies of the laboratories but also their practical value for manufacturers planning to enter the U.S. market.
If you want to explore a similar ranking for European laboratories, we encourage you to read our article.
US launches stall when conducted or radiated emissions fail at an FCC accredited lab and the fix means a board revision. We find those failures before your slot is booked.
Prepare your device for FCC emissions testing
The U.S. market is a huge opportunity, but also a potential pitfall for electronics manufacturers. If a device fails radiated or conducted emissions tests, the entire project can be delayed for months. How can manufacturers minimize this risk and speed up certification? Below we present a list of the best EMC laboratories on this continent, valued for their expertise, modern infrastructure, and comprehensive approach to customer support.
Intertek is one of the largest testing companies in the world, present in more than 100 countries. In the USA, its laboratories serve clients from a wide range of sectors – from consumer electronics to industrial equipment.
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UL is an institution with over 125 years of history that has significantly influenced the development of product safety and quality standards. Its US labs specialize in assessing compliance of electronic devices with applicable regulations, particularly in sectors like IoT, automotive, and medical devices where exposure to electromagnetic disturbances is critical.
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The US branch of TÜV Rheinland is part of a global lab network headquartered in Germany. It serves both local and international manufacturers, offering access to expertise across many markets.
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Founded in 1959, MET Labs was one of the first independent testing laboratories in the USA. Today, as part of Eurofins, it continues to enjoy strong trust among electronics manufacturers.
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Element is a fast-growing testing company combining advanced measurement technologies with broad industry knowledge. Its US labs work with manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors, including testing for voltage fluctuations and other power-related disturbances.
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Nemko, a company with Norwegian roots, has been expanding its presence in the United States for years. It is especially valued by manufacturers seeking fast and efficient certification.
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CSA Group, a Canadian certification body, operates US labs that serve clients in the industrial and medical sectors. It is known for rigorous testing and high-quality documentation.
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Washington Laboratories, headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, has been operating for over 30 years and serves both commercial manufacturers as well as the military and telecommunications sectors. The facility is known for its close cooperation with clients – engineers get involved already at the product development stage. As a result, the laboratory is often chosen by startups and mid-sized companies that expect not only testing but also real support in fine-tuning their products for FCC compliance.
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Known mainly for its test equipment, Keysight also operates compliance labs. This allows clients to benefit from cutting-edge technology developed by one of the leaders in lab instrumentation.
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Based in Massachusetts, Curtis-Straus is part of Bureau Veritas – one of the world’s largest certification companies. The lab has anechoic chambers for EMC radiated emissions and immunity, wireless testing facilities, and infrastructure for FCC, CE, and other international compliance.
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Here are more issues about EMC testing.
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Today, EMC testing is no longer just a formality before launching a product on the market, but real support in designing devices that will ensure correct operation in an increasingly complex electromagnetic environment. The laboratories presented in this article differ from one another. Each of them can be the right choice, as long as it meets the specific needs of the manufacturer: fast turnaround time, support with documentation, unique equipment for specialized testing, or tailored solutions adapted to niche markets.
Are you planning to launch a new electronic product on the market? InTechHouse supports companies in the certification preparation stage, offering technological consulting, design, and product optimization in line with EMC and FCC requirements. Thanks to the experience of our engineers, you can be confident that your product will be properly designed and ready to successfully pass testing in accredited laboratories. InTechHouse is a partner that helps reduce the time and cost of the entire certification process. Need support? Schedule a free consultation today.
Picking a lab is only half of the problem, because most failed first attempts trace back to design decisions made months earlier in layout, shielding, and cable routing. InTechHouse pairs pre compliance measurement with hardware testing and certification services, so the fix lands in the schematic and on the board instead of in another round of chamber time.
We build a single compliance plan covering FCC, CE and ISED so the same product is not re-engineered three times for three markets. See how our certification service works.
Talk to engineers who handle FCC and CE in one pass
Not sure where to start? We work with companies at every stage, from early ideas to enterprise-level builds. A 30-minute call can save you months of guesswork.
No. Tests must be carried out in accredited facilities recognized by the FCC (e.g., those holding A2LA accreditation).
The most commonly used are FCC Part 15 regulations and ANSI C63.4 guidelines, which define testing procedures for radio and electronic devices.
Yes, but it requires appropriate expertise and facilities. This is why most companies rely on consulting services and laboratories that help optimize the design before testing.
You should consider accreditation, scope of services, technical infrastructure, industry experience, and client feedback. It is also worth checking whether the laboratory supports global certification processes.
Robert Obiała is a Senior Embedded Systems and Hardware Engineer at InTechHouse with over 12 years of hands-on experience in electronic product development. He specializes in embedded hardware design, multilayer PCB development, firmware engineering, EMC compliance, system integration, and troubleshooting complex electronic devices.
Robert works across the complete product development lifecycle - from system architecture and component selection through schematic and PCB design, embedded software development, prototyping, testing, pre-compliance validation, and preparation for production.
His project experience includes FPGA-based onboard computers for the space industry, low-power IoT and telemetry devices, industrial data acquisition systems, UAV payload electronics, power electronics, and embedded hardware and software for advanced optical equipment. He has designed systems based on STM32, ESP32, AVR, ARM, and AMD Xilinx Zynq platforms, using C, C++, Embedded Linux, and communication technologies including Ethernet, CAN, RS-485, SPI, I2C, UART, Wi-Fi, BLE, MQTT, and LTE-M.
Robert holds an Engineer's Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications and has completed specialist training in EMC-aware electronics design. He writes about practical hardware development, embedded systems, PCB design, firmware engineering, EMC testing, FPGA-based architectures, and bringing reliable electronic products from concept to production.
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