Meaning of symbols on smartphones

These are certification marks, used by government agencies and operators to certify that a product meets safety standards and to indicate that the device is permitted for sale in certain countries and territories. Users can find them on almost all consumer electronic devices.

These certification marks can quickly disappear. In November 2014, President Obama signed the E-Label Act, allowing the Federal Communications Commission to hide these symbols in the operating system menu instead of physically printing them on the device.

An exclamation mark inside a circle: Wi-Fi providers and services in different countries sometimes use different frequency bands. This symbol indicates that the frequency band used by CE equipment may not be legal in some European countries.

CE: Stands for Conformité Européenne, certifying that a product meets the electromagnetic and safety standards of the European Union. Products bearing this symbol are permitted to be sold in almost all of Europe.

FCC: This is a certification by the Federal Communications Commission of the United States. It is the agency that regulates all American communications (such as TV, cable, radio, etc.).

UL: Abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratories, an organization that tests the safety of electronic devices and materials. Products bearing this mark are authorized by UL.

Circle with a checkmark: Known as the "Ctick," this symbol is used by the Australian Multimedia Communications Authority to certify that a product meets electromagnetic standards and is permitted for sale in Australia.

Trash can with an X: This symbol is used by the European Electronic Waste Agency to warn that the product may contain hazardous materials and needs to be recycled properly.

NOM: Certification that the product meets the Official Mexican Standard.

NYCE: Often used in conjunction with the NOM mark, this certification indicates the product has been approved by the Mexican Electronic Standards Authority, which oversees the safety of electronic, communications, and IT equipment.

VCCI: Abbreviation for Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment, a Japanese agency that manages electromagnetic standards for products.

The four-digit number: Often placed next to the CE mark, this number lists components that have been independently certified and tested. Testing companies come from various countries such as Germany, Denmark, Greece, and Italy.

According to ICTNews