WL Newsletter May 2026

MIL-STD-461, Cybersecurity & Medical Device Compliance Updates

Military, medical, wireless, and connected-device compliance requirements continue to evolve. This month’s Washington Laboratories update highlights practical testing considerations, key compliance timelines, and technical resources to help manufacturers prepare earlier in the product development cycle.

In This Issue:

• From the Vault: Fundamentals of MIL-STD-461 Testing
• EU Cyber Resilience Act: Key Dates for Product Developers
• FDA ASCA Recognition: Supporting Medical Device Compliance
• Lab Perspective: Recent FCC/ISED Testing Developments
• Technical Compliance & Testing Support

From the Vault: Fundamentals of MIL-STD-461 Testing

Military and aerospace systems must comply with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements to ensure equipment can operate reliably in its intended environment. MIL-STD-461 applies to Department of Defense procurements for equipment and subsystems and includes a wide range of conducted emissions, radiated emissions, conducted susceptibility, and radiated susceptibility test methods.

In this Washington Laboratories Academy webinar, Steve Koster provides an overview of MIL-STD-461 testing fundamentals, including grounding and bonding requirements, cable routing, conducted and radiated testing, ESD, lightning-induced transients, LISN configurations, and practical test setup considerations.

Although originally presented as part of the Washington Laboratories Academy series, the technical concepts discussed remain highly relevant for defense contractors, aerospace suppliers, compliance professionals, and product development teams preparing equipment for military EMC testing.

Watch the Webinar →
View Presentation Files →

EU Cyber Resilience Act: Key Dates for Product Developers

The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements placed on the European Union market. The regulation establishes new expectations around vulnerability handling, incident reporting, software maintenance, technical documentation, and product security throughout the product lifecycle.

From a testing and product-development perspective, manufacturers should begin evaluating how cybersecurity requirements may affect design documentation, risk management activities, software update processes, and conformity assessment planning.

Key Timeline

View Cyber Resilience Act Implementation Guidance →
View Official CRA Regulation (EU 2024/2847) →

FDA ASCA Recognition: Supporting Medical Device Compliance

Washington Laboratories is recognized under the FDA’s Accreditation Scheme for Conformity Assessment (ASCA) Program. This program supports consistency in medical device testing and documentation used in FDA premarket submissions.

For medical device manufacturers, working with an ASCA-recognized testing laboratory can help improve test documentation consistency and support a more efficient submission process.

Why It Matters

• Supports medical electrical equipment testing and documentation planning.
• Helps improve consistency in FDA premarket submissions.
• Provides confidence that testing is conducted by an FDA-recognized laboratory.
• Supports manufacturers preparing for medical device compliance reviews.

View Washington Laboratories Accreditation Information →
Learn More About FDA ASCA →

Lab Perspective: Recent FCC/ISED Testing Developments

Regulatory requirements continue to evolve on both sides of the border. Recent FCC and ISED updates provide important guidance for manufacturers, testing laboratories, and compliance teams preparing products for market.

Recent FCC KDB Publications

The FCC recently released updates affecting both equipment authorization and laboratory assessment activities.

KDB 206256 – Wireless Microphone Certification
The FCC updated its guidance for certification of wireless microphones, providing clarification on equipment authorization policies and approval procedures. Manufacturers developing wireless microphone products should review the latest certification requirements early in the design process to help avoid delays during testing and authorization.

KDB 853844 – Accredited Laboratory Assessment Checklist
The FCC also updated guidance used by accreditation bodies when evaluating testing laboratories. The checklist serves as a technical assessment guide for EMC testing laboratories and supports consistent application of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. For manufacturers, this reinforces the importance of selecting qualified laboratories with demonstrated technical competence and recognized accreditation.

View KDB 206256 Wireless Microphone Certification →
View KDB 853844 Accredited Lab Checklist →

ISED SAR Measurement Guidance

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) recently updated its RSS-102 SAR measurement procedure to address devices with protrusions and other physical design features that may affect measurement positioning and evaluation. For wireless device manufacturers, these design considerations can impact test configurations, separation distances, and overall certification planning.

As wireless devices continue to incorporate larger camera modules and more complex industrial designs, manufacturers should evaluate SAR compliance requirements early in the development process to avoid potential redesigns or certification delays.

View ISED RSS-102 SAR Measurement Procedure →

These updates are a reminder that compliance planning should begin early in the product development cycle, especially for connected, wireless, medical, military, and globally marketed devices.

Technical Compliance & Testing Support

Washington Laboratories has supported EMC, RF, product safety, environmental, medical, and MIL-STD testing programs since 1989.

Need help planning a test program or preparing for upcoming compliance requirements?

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