Every time you by electronic devices, you will see a string of the weird symbols on them. And we can say that most of you don’t understand those symbols. So have you ever wondered what they mean and tried to search them on the Internet. If you haven’t, we’re gonna show you!

1. FCC

Before being releasing, the wireless devices have to be checked to make sure that they work well and don’t cause the other wireless devices harmful. And the Federal Communications Commission will be in charge of this. If your device has an FCC icon, it means that it is certified. If it doesn’t, it won’t be allowed to be sold in the US.

2. Garbage bin with an X

This symbol is from Europe’s Waste Eletrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. It means that the device should not be disposed inappropriately, say, in the trashcan. Because the materials inside could be very hazardous. So the device should be recycled properly.

3. CE

CE stands for Conformité Européenne (or European Conformity). This symbol marks the qualified product to be sold in nearly all European countries. Qualified product here is not about the product’s quality. It’s about the product meeting all relevant standard requirements in the European Union. This mark  makes the import task easier. The four digit number next to the CE symbol shows the third-party testing company conducting the certification.

4.Alert Symbol (!)

Wireless services from different countries sometimes operate on different frequency bands. So if a wireless device doesn’t work on a appropriate frequency bands of a particular European country, it will this mark. For example, the iPhone doesn’t operate on French’s outdoor frequency brands (2.4GHz and 2.454GHz), so it is classify as Class II and has this symbol. The device which doesn’t violate this regulation will be on Class I and have no alert mark.

5. Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

UL means Underwriters Laboratories. This is a dependent and non-profit company. It tests, analyses, certificates many products in North America and Mexico. Products with this mark have been certificated that they’re safety and reliable under normal operating conditions.

6. TÜV Rheinland GS Mark

A product with a CE mark can be sold in EU. But some countries in EU still ask for an additional certification with their own marks – the GS Mark. (GS means Tested Safety, TÜV means a tested German organization). So, this symbol means the device has been tested by TÜV Rheinland for quality. And this quality meets Germany’s safety regulations.

7. CCC

The China Compulsory Certificate (CCC) mark is a combination of two previous safety certificate systems: CCIB and CCEE. The CCIB was for basic consumer products. And the CCEE was for electrical goods. Anyone who wants to manufacture in , sell in, or import to China must have this mark. However, there’re still some exceptions like automotive tires and agricultural tools.

Weird symbols on the back of your phone

And there you go! Now you can look at those symbols on your device and understand their meanings. These are just some basic marks that you usually see. The marks are widespread now. Some exist, some disappear. Some were etched on the product, and some were hidden.