Many motherboards don't comply with EMI certifications

The Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3 started just like almost any other motherboard. A reference design was sent from Intel to Gigabyte's design center in Taiwan. The test boards were wave-soldered outside of Taipei and production boards were shipped to channels as soon as physically possible to snag some of those "first-to-market" sales.

Even though the motherboard boldly wears CE and FCC markings, this device became one more component that slipped through the cracks. It was later discovered that not only did this motherboard fail European and U.S. electromagnetic interference regulations, but that tens of thousands of the motherboards shipped months ago.

A Taiwanese motherboard engineer, who wished to remain anonymous, claims the world of EMI certification runs more lax than consumers would believe. "If we claim to pass FCC and in actuality we do not, it's just a conscience problem."

The engineer continues, "Some manufacturers put the FCC logo on their product even though they don't send in to any lab. If they are lucky, they go by. If they are unlucky, they get fined by the government or in some serious case, issue a product recall."

Conversations with other representatives reveal even in the instances of serious violation, vendors receive little official recourse.