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Sourcing Guide · Certifications

CE, FCC & RoHS: Certification Guide for Importers

If you are importing car vacuum cleaners, tire inflators, or other automotive accessories from China, you need to understand which certifications are required in your target market before placing an order. This guide covers CE marking for the EU, FCC compliance for the US, RoHS substance restrictions, UN38.3 battery safety testing, and how these requirements map to each product category we manufacture.

Written by TireVac — factory-direct supplier of portable tire inflators and car vacuum cleaners. All information reflects current regulatory requirements as of 2026 and our in-house testing capabilities.

Overview

Why Certifications Matter for Importers

Legal Liability & Market Access

As the importer of record, you bear legal responsibility for product compliance in your market. Non-compliant products can be seized at customs, generate fines, or expose you to product liability claims. CE marking is mandatory for placing electrical products on the EU market. FCC compliance is required before marketing any device with digital circuits in the United States. These are not optional quality badges — they are legal requirements enforced at the border and at point of sale.

Customs Clearance & Platform Requirements

Customs authorities in the EU, US, and other major markets routinely request test reports and declarations of conformity during import clearance. Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, and other e-commerce platforms may require compliance documentation before activating your listing or accepting inventory at their fulfillment centers. Having test reports and certificates ready before you ship prevents delays, storage fees, and rejected shipments.

European Union

CE Marking (European Union)

CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that a product meets all applicable EU directives. For automotive accessories like car vacuums and tire inflators, the relevant directives depend on the product's voltage, radio capabilities, and electronic components.

DirectiveScopeApplies To
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EUElectrical safety for equipment rated 50–1000 V AC or 75–1500 V DCAC-powered tire inflators; does not apply to 12 V DC-only or battery-powered devices under 75 V DC
EMC Directive 2014/30/EUElectromagnetic compatibility — limits emissions and ensures immunityAll car vacuums and tire inflators with motors, digital displays, or MCU-based controls
RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (recast)Restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipmentAll electrical products placed on the EU market — included in CE scope
Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EURadio transmitters and receivers, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modulesOnly models with Bluetooth connectivity (e.g., app-controlled tire inflators)

CE Requirements by Product Type

Product TypeLVDEMCRoHSREDNotes
Cordless car vacuum (Li-ion battery)No (under 75 V DC)YesYesNoBattery under LVD threshold; EMC applies due to motor and digital control circuits
12 V DC corded car vacuumNo (under 75 V DC)YesYesNoPowered from vehicle cigarette lighter; no mains voltage involved
Portable tire inflator (12 V DC)No (under 75 V DC)YesYesNoStandard inflator with digital gauge and auto-stop; no radio components
Cordless tire inflator (Li-ion battery)No (under 75 V DC)YesYesNoSame logic as cordless vacuum — battery voltage well below LVD threshold
Bluetooth-enabled tire inflatorNo (under 75 V DC)YesYesYesRED required due to Bluetooth module; must be tested as radio equipment
AC-powered shop vacuum (110/220 V)YesYesYesNoMains voltage triggers LVD; full CE testing required for safety and EMC

Most of our product range operates below 75 V DC, which means LVD does not apply. EMC and RoHS are the primary CE requirements for the majority of car vacuums and tire inflators. We hold existing EMC + RoHS test reports for our core models — ask us which reports are available for the specific SKU you are sourcing.

United States

FCC Compliance (United States)

The FCC regulates electromagnetic emissions from electronic devices sold in the United States. Any device with a microcontroller, digital display, or motor speed controller falls under FCC Part 15 rules. Wireless features like Bluetooth add additional requirements.

RequirementDetailsWhen It Applies
FCC Part 15 Subpart BUnintentional radiator — limits electromagnetic emissions from digital circuitsAll car vacuums and tire inflators with microcontrollers, digital displays, or PWM motor controllers
FCC Part 15 Subpart CIntentional radiator — covers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other radio transmittersOnly models with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity
FCC ID registrationUnique identifier assigned after testing at an accredited labRequired for intentional radiators (Subpart C); not required for unintentional radiators
Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)Self-declaration by the responsible party (importer or manufacturer)Replaces the former FCC "Declaration of Conformity" for unintentional radiators since 2017
FCC label marking"This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules" statement on product or manualRequired on all devices subject to Part 15, whether tested under Subpart B or C

For most car vacuums and tire inflators without Bluetooth, FCC Part 15 Subpart B applies. The responsible party (typically the US importer or brand owner) issues a Supplier Declaration of Conformity based on test results from an accredited lab. No FCC ID registration is needed unless the product contains an intentional radio transmitter.

Substance Restrictions

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

RoHS restricts the use of specific hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment. Originally six substances were restricted; four phthalates were added in 2019, bringing the total to ten. RoHS compliance is part of CE marking for the EU, but many other markets (China, UAE, India, South Korea, Turkey) have adopted similar substance restrictions.

SubstanceMaximum ConcentrationWhere It Appears
Lead (Pb)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Solder joints, PCB components, cable sheathing, motor windings
Mercury (Hg)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Switches, relays (rare in modern automotive accessories)
Cadmium (Cd)0.01% (100 ppm)Battery electrodes (NiCd), plating, pigments, PVC stabilizers
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Corrosion-resistant coatings on metal housings and fasteners
PBB (Polybrominated Biphenyls)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Flame retardants in plastic housings and PCB substrates
PBDE (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Flame retardants in plastic components and cable insulation
DEHP (Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)0.1% (1,000 ppm)PVC plasticizers in cables and soft-touch grips (added 2019)
BBP (Butyl Benzyl Phthalate)0.1% (1,000 ppm)PVC flooring and coatings — uncommon in automotive accessories
DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Adhesives and printing inks used in packaging and labels
DIBP (Diisobutyl Phthalate)0.1% (1,000 ppm)Plasticizers in rubber and PVC components

Concentrations are measured in homogeneous materials, not the whole product. Our factory performs incoming material inspections and maintains XRF screening records. Full third-party RoHS test reports (IEC 62321) are available for our core models and can be provided with your order documentation.

Battery Safety

UN38.3 & Battery Safety

Any product with a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery requires UN38.3 certification for transport — especially air freight. This applies to all cordless car vacuums and cordless tire inflators in our range. Even if you ship by sea, your freight forwarder and customs broker will require UN38.3 documentation.

RequirementDetailsWho Is Responsible
UN38.3 testingEight safety tests: altitude simulation, thermal cycling, vibration, shock, short circuit, impact, overcharge, forced dischargeBattery cell manufacturer or pack assembler — test report provided to product manufacturer
UN38.3 test summaryOne-page summary document required since 2020; must accompany every shipmentProduct manufacturer (us) prepares and includes with shipping documents
MSDS / SDS (Safety Data Sheet)Material safety data for lithium cells — required by freight forwardersBattery cell supplier provides base document; we format for your shipment
Packing instruction compliancePI 965 (standalone batteries), PI 966 (packed with equipment), PI 967 (contained in equipment)Applies to air freight; our cordless models ship as PI 967 (battery installed in device)
DG declaration for air freightDangerous Goods declaration required by airlines for lithium battery shipmentsFreight forwarder prepares based on UN38.3 report and MSDS we provide
Battery capacity labelingWatt-hour (Wh) rating must be marked on the battery or productMarked on our battery packs at production; visible on product label

Air Freight Considerations

Lithium battery products shipped by air require DG (Dangerous Goods) handling, which adds 1-2 days to processing time and increases freight cost compared to standard cargo. Our cordless models use batteries under 100 Wh, which qualifies them for Section II packing instructions — the least restrictive category for air transport. We prepare all required documentation so your freight forwarder can process the DG declaration.

Sea Freight Considerations

Sea freight has fewer restrictions for lithium batteries under 100 Wh, but UN38.3 test reports and proper packing are still required. Our standard export packaging for cordless models includes individual product boxes with battery safety labels, inner cartons with proper cushioning, and outer cartons with lithium battery handling marks per IATA and IMDG requirements.

Product Matrix

Certification Requirements by Product Type

The certifications you need depend on your product type and target market. This table maps the requirements across our product categories so you can plan your compliance strategy before ordering.

Product CategoryUS MarketEU MarketBattery ModelsNotes
Cordless car vacuumFCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)UN38.3 + MSDSMost common SKU; all three cert areas typically needed
12 V corded car vacuumFCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)N/ANo battery; simpler compliance path
Portable tire inflator (12 V)FCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)N/ADigital gauge triggers FCC Part 15B; no battery concerns for corded models
Cordless tire inflatorFCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)UN38.3 + MSDSSame battery documentation as cordless vacuum
Bluetooth tire inflatorFCC Part 15B + 15C (FCC ID)CE (EMC + RoHS + RED)UN38.3 + MSDSRadio module adds FCC ID and RED requirements
Vacuum + inflator comboFCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)UN38.3 + MSDSTreated as single product; one set of test reports covers the unit
Car air purifierFCC Part 15B (SDoC)CE (EMC + RoHS)Varies by modelHEPA filter models may have separate filtration efficiency claims to support

For markets outside the US and EU (Australia/RCM, Japan/PSE, South Korea/KC), additional certifications may be required. Contact us with your target market and we can advise on which reports we already hold and what additional testing may be needed.

Our Process

How TireVac Handles Certifications

Third-Party Testing

Our core models are tested at accredited labs (SGS, TUV, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) for EMC, RoHS, and FCC Part 15. UN38.3 battery testing is performed by the cell manufacturer and verified by an independent lab. We do not self-certify — all test reports come from recognized third-party laboratories that are accepted by customs authorities and e-commerce platforms worldwide.

Documentation Package

For each model, we maintain a compliance file that includes: EMC test report, RoHS test report (IEC 62321), FCC Part 15B test report, UN38.3 test summary and full report (battery models), MSDS/SDS (battery models), Declaration of Conformity template, and product specification sheet. We provide these documents with your order or on request during the quotation stage.

Importer Support

We help you understand which certifications apply to your specific order and market. If a model requires additional testing for your region (e.g., RCM for Australia, KC for South Korea), we coordinate with the testing lab and manage the process. We also provide technical files and spec sheets that your customs broker needs for import clearance and your compliance team needs for market-specific declarations.

Common Questions

Questions Importers Ask About Certifications

Do I need to arrange certification testing myself?

For our standard models, no. We already hold CE (EMC + RoHS) and FCC Part 15 test reports from accredited labs. We provide copies of these reports with your order. If you need certification for a market we have not yet tested for (e.g., RCM for Australia), we handle the testing process and timeline — you do not need to find a lab yourself.

Can I use your test reports under my own brand name?

Test reports are issued to the manufacturer (us). As the importer, you reference our test reports in your Declaration of Conformity, which you issue under your own brand. For CE marking, the importer must prepare their own EU Declaration of Conformity citing the applicable directives and referencing the test reports we provide. We supply a template to make this straightforward.

What if Amazon asks for compliance documents?

Amazon periodically requests test reports and compliance documentation for product listings, especially in categories like electronics and battery-powered devices. We provide all documents in the format Amazon accepts: test report (PDF from accredited lab), Declaration of Conformity, and product images showing required markings. Our existing reports have been accepted by Amazon US, Amazon EU, and Amazon UK.

Are certifications transferable between models?

No. Each model requires its own set of test reports. A test report for one car vacuum model does not cover a different model, even if the specs are similar. However, if you order a model we have already tested, you can use the existing reports — no additional testing cost or delay. We will confirm which reports are available during the quotation process.

How much does certification testing cost?

For models we have already tested, there is no additional certification cost — test reports are included with your order. If you need new testing (new model, new market, or OEM modification that changes the electrical design), testing fees range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on scope. EMC + RoHS for a standard car vacuum typically costs $2,000–3,000 at an accredited lab. We provide exact quotes before testing begins.

How long does new certification testing take?

Standard EMC + RoHS testing takes 2–3 weeks from sample submission to final report. FCC Part 15B testing takes 1–2 weeks. UN38.3 battery testing takes 4–6 weeks (performed by the cell manufacturer before production). If you are ordering a model we have already tested, there is no wait — reports are available immediately.

Need certification details for a specific model?

Tell Us Your Target Market and Product — We Will Confirm What Is Covered.

Send us the model you are interested in and the market you plan to sell into. We will respond with the available test reports, any additional testing needed, and a clear timeline so you can plan your import with confidence.

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