CPSC Tightens EMC Limits for Arcade Devices Starting June 1

On May 17, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) updated its Arcade & Coin-Operated Entertainment Devices EMC Compliance Guidance, mandating a 30% reduction in radiated emission limits under FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B for commercial arcade devices with input power exceeding 100 W—effective June 1, 2026. This update directly impacts manufacturers, exporters, and certification service providers engaged in the design, production, or compliance validation of coin-operated entertainment equipment for the U.S. market.

Event Overview

On May 17, 2026, the CPSC published an updated version of its Arcade & Coin-Operated Entertainment Devices EMC Compliance Guidance. The revision specifies that, beginning June 1, 2026, all commercial arcade devices drawing more than 100 W of input power must comply with revised radiated emission limits under FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B—reduced by 30% compared to prior requirements. To obtain UL 62368-1 combined with EMC certification, affected devices must demonstrate compliance with the tightened limits through updated shielding structures and filter circuit designs.

Industries Affected

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), particularly those based in China

Chinese OEMs supplying arcade cabinets, redemption machines, or interactive kiosks to U.S. operators are directly affected because their products must meet the new radiated emission thresholds. The change requires physical redesign—not just retesting—of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) features, including metal shielding integrity, PCB layout revisions, and enhanced EMI filtering on power and signal lines.

EMC Testing and Certification Service Providers

Third-party labs and certification bodies supporting UL 62368-1 + EMC evaluations must verify conformance against the revised Class B limits. Their test reports and declarations of conformity will now need to reference the updated CPSC guidance and reflect measurements conducted at the tightened threshold levels.

U.S.-Based Importers and Brand Owners

Importers placing arcade devices into U.S. commerce bear legal responsibility for compliance under CPSC regulations. Non-compliant units risk refusal of entry, post-import enforcement actions, or mandatory recalls—even if previously certified under older limits prior to June 1, 2026.

What Relevant Enterprises or Practitioners Should Monitor and Do Now

Confirm applicability and scope before finalizing product releases

Verify whether newly designed or refreshed models exceed 100 W input power—and whether they fall under the CPSC’s definition of “arcade or coin-operated entertainment devices.” Devices below this power threshold remain subject to existing Class B limits; no revision applies.

Review and revise mechanical and electrical design documentation

Manufacturers should assess current shielding architectures (e.g., chassis seam coverage, gasketing, aperture management) and filter component specifications (e.g., common-mode chokes, X/Y capacitors, ferrite materials). Design updates may be required even for products previously compliant with older FCC limits.

Engage accredited labs early for pre-compliance testing

Given the 30% reduction in allowable emissions, marginally compliant legacy designs are unlikely to pass without modification. Early pre-compliance EMC scans—conducted using the updated limit line—can identify high-risk frequencies and guide targeted redesign efforts ahead of formal certification.

Update technical files and certification applications submitted after June 1, 2026

All UL 62368-1 certifications pursued after the effective date must include EMC test reports aligned with the revised CPSC guidance. Previously issued certifications do not automatically extend to the new limits; re-evaluation is required for any new production run placed on the U.S. market post-June 1.

Editorial Perspective / Industry Observation

Observably, this update reflects a broader regulatory trend toward harmonizing safety-critical EMC performance with evolving digital electronics density in consumer-facing entertainment hardware. Analysis shows the 30% tightening is not incremental—it represents a meaningful step change requiring measurable engineering effort, especially for high-power motion-sensing or display-integrated systems. From an industry perspective, it functions less as an isolated compliance milestone and more as a signal: U.S. regulators are increasingly treating EMC not as a static pass/fail gate, but as a dynamic requirement tied to device functionality and deployment context. Current enforcement posture remains focused on new submissions; however, CPSC has indicated future oversight may expand to include post-market surveillance of devices already in distribution.

Conclusion: This CPSC guidance update establishes a definitive compliance deadline—not a proposal or draft—and introduces technically significant requirements for a narrowly defined but commercially relevant product category. It is best understood not as a broad-based policy shift across consumer electronics, but as a targeted calibration of EMC expectations for higher-power, publicly accessible entertainment devices. Enterprises should treat it as an operational compliance trigger requiring design, testing, and documentation adjustments—not merely a procedural update.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Arcade & Coin-Operated Entertainment Devices EMC Compliance Guidance, updated May 17, 2026. Note: Ongoing monitoring is recommended for potential CPSC enforcement clarifications or FAQs related to transitional arrangements for devices in transit or under existing certification contracts as of June 1, 2026.