# 299: Reasonably Foreseeable Misuse

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-08-15
- Length: 1h 04m
- Episode: 299
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse

## Summary

Monk Eastman, an experienced compliance engineer, explains the maze of hardware certifications including FCC, CE, UL, and UN 38. He details the specific costs, testing procedures, and strategic advice for embedded engineers to navigate these requirements efficiently. The discussion covers the history of standards bodies, the importance of pre-scanning for EMC, and the rigorous nature of battery safety testing.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=6) Introduction and Monk Eastman's Background
- [5:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=356) Why Certification is Required and Market Access
- [8:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=504) Costs of FCC, UL, and Battery Testing
- [12:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=720) Understanding FCC, CE, and UL Marks
- [15:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=903) The Role of UL and Insurance in Standards
- [17:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=1041) UN 38 Battery Transport Testing and Failures
- [21:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=1313) Reducing Certification Costs and Pre-scanning
- [40:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=2404) Firmware's Role in EMC and Safety Testing
- [47:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=2874) CE Directives, RoHS, and Low Voltage Definitions
- [53:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=3182) Manufacturing Quality, ISO 9001, and Component Swaps
- [58:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse#t=3518) Learning Resources and Closing Remarks

## Topics

- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Monk Eastman (other)
- UL (other)
- FCC (other)
- CE (other)
- Intertech (other)
- TUV (other)
- UN 38 (other)
- ISO 9001 (other)
- IEC 60601 (other)
- Alan Cohen (other)
- Prototype to Product: A Practical Guide for Getting to Market (other)
- Electrical Product Compliance and Safety Engineering (other)
- Samsung (company)
- Home Depot (company)
- Target (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 42 - Certifications](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2025-07-18-ep-42-certifications) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Oxide and the Chamber of Mysteries](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-02-07-oxide-and-the-chamber-of-mysteries) (Oxide and Friends)
- [A Keyzermas Story](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-12-28-a-keyzermas-story) (The Amp Hour)
- [Why 90% of Electronics Fail EMC Tests and How to Fix It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-02-03-why-90-of-electronics-fail-emc-tests-and-how-to-fix-it) (OnTrack)
- [Hardware Startup Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them with Dave Millman of BizDev.Global](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde) (Predictable Designs Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-08-15-299-reasonably-foreseeable-misuse. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.