Build costings

[phaseform]

If I wanted to put about $10 worth of components into a mains voltage enclosure and validate it for retail sale, is there an estimate as to the cost of that?

 

[i_am_fubar]

Where are you looking to sell to? What is the function of the box?

Medical, military, avionics... Etc, many thousands.

Depending on countries your looking to sell to, EU - another 2k for CE marking.

Wireless? - FCC. - yet more.

[i_am_fubar]

Unless it's just loose components as a 'kit'.... Though be wary, some regulatory bodies will consider the complete unit the product.

[phaseform]

just for example a retail product in Australia, or US.

So sending schematics and pcb layout etc would be enough to get CE tick at around $2k?

[filssavi]

To get from a working design to ready to sale, that means all the legal certifications and tests to back them up, design for manufacturing, non recurring costs custom components (PCBs, assembly, boxes), lawyers for retail agreements etc I would budget at least 10/15k€

That is assuming a standard product without expensive features (such as wireless or mains connection, where that budget would be probably spent on testing alone) and for general consumer

For automotive you can at least multiply by 5, for medical probably by 20, for Aerospace by 100

Now there are ways to skirt some regulations (selling as kit) or you could even avoid testing for CE as it is a self certification, however in case of a non compliance you would be liable for damages (IANAL)

[filssavi]

So sending schematics and pcb layout etc would be enough to get CE tick at around $2k?

Testing on compliance is done on the actual object not on the design, you have to bring the thing to a certified test house, pay anywhere from 5k to 15k or more and hope you pass (or are so close that just ferrite on the cables will do

Most likely you will fail (see almost certain if you have no experience of design for compliance) thus you will have to modify your design accordingly and then start over (paying another 5k to 15k)

Also if the thing is aimed to a heavily regulated sector (automotive, medical,aerospace etc) it might be a smart idea to hire a consultant to tell you exactly which rules and standard you have to buy and follow

[phaseform]

awesome thx

[tkamiya]

There are plenty of non-UL certified and non-FCC certified stuff for sale in US via eBay and Amazon.  They mainly come from China.  There are SO MANY of them, I don't think there are any serious enforcement effort taking place.  That said, should someone get injured or property destroyed, seller would likely face a lawsuit.  So reasonable retailer would not touch something that is unknown and certified.

Some consumers will do crazy things with device.  It would be unwise to market anything without third party backing you up.  That would mean all the certification necessary and insurance.

[i_am_fubar]

The FCC releases a name and shame of who's been charged what for infractions. Usually big companies that had something slip through the net, but also a lot of smaller ones. Can't find it now, but Google. Worth a look.

[phaseform]

Any recommendations on consultation for domestic approval (and abroad)?

[wizard69]

If I wanted to put about $10 worth of components into a mains voltage enclosure and validate it for retail sale, is there an estimate as to the cost of that?

 

Without knowing what those $10 dollars worth of goods do, there can not be a reasonable answer to this question.    If it is mains connected in the USA you would want it UL qualified.   That can be very cheap if it is a lamp or far more complex and expensive.

In any event you really shouldn't build and sell anything until you have a corporation setup and have a good insurance policy paid for.   Actually you should consult a good lawyer that understands the liability position you will be in.   So setting up the business will be an expense separate from the act of getting a product qualified for the local regulations.   So buisness setup could easily be between $5000 & $10,000 and validation of the hardware could be anywhere between $0 and $500,000

By the way these costs have stopped many from starting up a business, this includes me.    You really need to have money in the bank, rich friends or relatives or other sources of start up capital.

[phaseform]

ok cool, thanks for the heads up. This is the same for products sold from outside the US into the US market online? Perhaps https://www.crowdsupply.com/ may be a good source of info