I would read the FCC two-part statement a little differently. Let's start with the second statement. It indicates that equipment must accept interference. It uses "must", so this is a requirement. This just indicates that the product falls under a category where there are no immunity requirements mandated by the FCC. It's a warning to the user. If they find that their device is misbehaving due to interference from other devices, the user is being told that it isn't the fault of the FCC.
The first statement is harder to figure out. I can start with the signal words. "Must" means a requirement, "should" indicates a recommendation, and "may" indicates an option. What does "may not" mean? A prohibition should be "must not" or "shall not". A recommendation against would be "should not". However, as written it could be interpreted to mean that the equipment might not cause harmful interference. I don't know if that is what is intended, but that is how it could be interpreted if read literally. The way I look at it, these statements are to make it clear to the user that the FCC is absolving itself of any fault for accepting the certification of the device. First, if your equipment causes interference with other devices, blame the manufacturer and not the FCC. Second, if your equipment is susceptible from interference from other devices, blame the manufacturer and not the FCC. Ted Eckert Microsoft Corporation The opinions experessed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer. From: John Woodgate <j...@woodjohn.uk> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 1:37 PM To: EMC-PSTC@LISTSERV.IEEE.ORG Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [PSES] FCC regulatory statements Precisely. That's bureaucracy for you. Isn't there also a US law that requires you to listen on a radio for Homeland Security broadcasts? Everyone is guilty of something. Best wishes John Woodgate OOO-Own Opinions Only J M Woodgate and Associates www.woodjohn.uk<https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.woodjohn.uk&data=02%7C01%7Cted.eckert%40microsoft.com%7Cea38c0d7efb748b956b408d75e421315%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C637081510206510755&sdata=rNoUm8JBfg7GQC%2BrWjgsvddk4amt0ATF26Oj5uLm8Zk%3D&reserved=0> Rayleigh, Essex UK On 2019-10-31 20:24, Richard Nute wrote: "This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation" Hmm. So, if the device causes harmful interference, operation is prohibited (1). And, if the device accepts interference that causes undesired operation, operation is prohibited (2). A CFL causes undesirable interference with my radio. So, operation of both the CFL and radio is prohibited. Is my interpretation correct? Best regards, Rich - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. 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