UK Government extends use of CE marking "indefinitely"

Aug 1, 2024 - The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced its intention to indefinitely extend, beyond the December 2024 deadline, the use of CE marking for businesses, applying to 18 regulations owned by DBT.

The applicable regulations cover:

• toys
• pyrotechnics
• recreational craft and personal watercraft
• simple pressure vessels
• electromagnetic compatibility
• non-automatic weighing instruments
• measuring instruments
• measuring container bottles
• lifts
• equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
• radio equipment
• pressure equipment
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• gas appliances
• machinery
• equipment for use outdoors
• aerosols
• low voltage electrical equipment

 

REF:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-announces-extension-of-ce-mark-recognition-for-businesses

New European Union "Blue Guide" published

 

A new version of the "Blue Guide" on the implementation of EU product rules has been published.

This new version builds on past editions while also reflecting recent changes in EU legislation, in particular, the adoption of new regulations on market surveillance. 

REF:

https://bit.ly/EU-Blue-Guide

United Kingdom Conformity Assessment Mark (UKCA) deferred

The UK government announced August 24, 2021 that you may continue to use the CE marking for goods place on the market in Great Britain until January 2023. The UKCA marking may be used now, however, from January 1, 2023 the UKCA marking will be mandatory. 

REF:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain 

Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products

New EU Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on Market surveillance and product compliance.

Original news posted by NIST. As mentioned in the NIST TEL MRA team release

"The new regulations will impact most manufacturers/economic operators placing products on the market in the EU."

Given that most readers of my posts will be impacted I have copied the release for re-circulation here.

ORIGINAL NIST TEL MRA MEMORANDUM ;

Dear Colleagues:

The new Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on market surveillance and compliance of products was published in the OJEU on June 25, 2019.

Important Dates:

• Enters into force on July 16, 2019 (20 days after publication in the OJEU)
• Clauses regarding the establishment of the “Network” and funding apply as of January 1, 2021
• Remaining clauses apply as of July 16, 2021

The new regulations will impact most manufacturers/economic operators placing products on the market in the EU.  

Key Provisions

• Establishes a new Union Product Compliance Network (Article 29) (referred to as the “Network”) that will coordinate Member States enforcement authorities and market surveillance authorities – Article 29
• Gives the Commission the ability to designate Union Testing Facilities of its own or in a Member State - for testing of products – (48) and Article 21
• Requires Member States to establish a single market surveillance liaison office – Article 10 (3)
• Requires Member States to ensure that their market surveillance authorities have the right resources and powers
• Allows Member States to give their market surveillance authorities power to require access to embedded software, reverse engineer products (and other powers) – Article 14 (4a and 4j)
• Brings the “fulfillment service providers” into the list of economic operators – Article 3 (11)
• For some products, requires that there be an economic operator established in the EU – this can be the manufacturer, the importer, an authorized rep, or the fulfilment service provider  – See Article 4  
• In such cases,  specific information must to be included on or with the product, including the contact details of the economic operator – Article 4 (4)
• This does apply for products covered under the RED and EMCD  – Article 4 (5)
• Requires that “information society service providers” cooperate with market surveillance authorities for products being sold on-line - Article 7 (2)
• Requires that the MS authorities take account of test reports or certificates issued by CABS accredited in accordance with 765/2008  as part of “checks”: - Article 11 (5)
• Requires that Member States give economic operators at least 10 working days to be heard before a measure is taken if possible  – Article 18 (3)
• Gives Commission ability to approve of specific pre-export control systems established by third countries if there is “official” verification done by the third country – Article 35 (3) and (7)

See the attached document (or the link above) for further details. 

In the News  

• https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/06/14/eu-adopts-regulation-to-keep-unsafe-products-off-the-market/  [June 14, 2019]
• https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=44713a72-3897-4480-86dc-05d57d07563c [June 29, 2019]

Thank you.

Kind regards,

The NIST TEL MRA Team

mra@nist.gov

5 Questions on the new Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED)

Coming into force on June 13, 2016, and half way through the transition period, the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU replaces the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTED)  1995/5/EC and over the past few months I've received numerous questions regarding the transition to the new directive. This isn't an all inclusive list or a full transition guide, far from it, I recommend that you consult a RED Notified Body with your specific needs for that. 

Here are the 5 most common questions I receive.

"Do I need to apply the new directive immediately?"

No, the RED came into force on June 13th 2016, however, article 48 gives a transitional provision accepting the old directive for radio equipment covered by the RED until June 12, 2017. That is to say you must apply the RED to covered radio equipment on or after June 13th 2017.

"Should I start testing to the new directive now?"

I get this a lot, and it's a very common misconception. One does not simply "test" to a Directive, you declare compliance to the Directive. 

The directive contains the essential requirements of compliance, among other laws, governing the "making available on the market" of Radio Equipment. Testing is one method for demonstrating compliance with the essential requirements, but the actual test methods are found outside the directive, referred to as "Harmonised Standards" under the directive. 

While in order to use a "Harmonised Standard" for presumption of conformity, it must be published with reference to the RED in the Official Journal, the new directive doesn't change harmonized standards, but it may impose new "essential" requirements that could impact your testing.

"Can I start "declaring" compliance to the new directive?"

Probably not. Article 17 of the RED describes the conformity assessment procedures. There are three annexes describing the available methods. (Annex II Internal Product Control) (Annex III EU-type examination) and (Annex IV Full Quality Assurance).

By far Internal Production Control is the most commonly used conformity assessment method and it's the only method that does not require 3rd party involvement of a Notified Body, but in order to apply Annex II, you must test in full to published harmonized standards. The problem is that the list of harmonized standards published under the new RED is small compared to the R&TTE. Chances are at the moment the particular harmonized standard previously applied has not been adapted and referenced to the RED, but the list is growing. See https://celectronics.com/certification/europe/ for links to the published harmonized standards.

Another issue here is that there is a change, however so slightly, in the requirements from the R&TTE article 3.2. This small change adds a new requirement to be assessed, and that is that the Radio Equipment "supports the efficient use of radio spectrum". New technical standards will need to incorporate this requirement.

"If I can't test in full to published harmonized standards, is there a method to comply with the RED now?"

Yes, there are a couple as mentioned above, Annex III EU-Type examination and Annex IV Full Quality Assurance. Of the two, EU type examination would generally be the most practical for most organisations that don't have the ability or wish to submit to a full quality assurance assessment or the continued surveillance required of that system.

EU-Type examination is a method by which the manufacturer submits an application to a "single" Notified Body of their choice. The Notified Body will review the technical design and verify the equipment complies with the essential requirements of the RED and if so issue an EU-Type examination certificate. This would be combined with the manufacturer's own assessment and the Declaration of Conformity (which will include the Notified Body number). The manufacturer would then affix the CE mark to the equipment (without including the Notified Body number)

 “If I test to the current harmonized standards for the R&TTE and write my declaration to the R&TTE now, what do I need to do June 13th, 2017?”

On or after June 13th 2017, all equipment that falls within the scope of the RED must be assessed to be in compliance with the RED prior to placing on the market in the European Union. This does not apply to equipment already on the market (sold or in the EU), only new shipments being placed on the market. The declaration of conformity must follow the new Model Structure and the manufacturer shall also establish the required technical documentation described in Article 21 of the RED. Also note that in addition to the technical test report the manufacturer is required to provide a risk assessment within their technical documentation.

European CE marking

EU has published the updated 'Blue Guide' on the implementation of EU product rules 2016. This is in advance of the coming into force of updated directives.

Directive Transition dates;

• EMC Directive 2014/30/EU – April 20, 2016
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU – April 20, 2016
• Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU – June 12, 2016

You can find links to these directives and additional information on CE marking at http://celectronics.com/certification/europe/

Valuable opportunity for Project managers and Compliance Engineers

Whenever I come across something that could benefit my community i'm compelled to share it.

A new Grassroots Movement has begun on the U.S. west coast to quote "Empower Project Managers and Compliance Engineers with knowledge and tools to guide your company and your team to achieve EMC product compliance, and fix EMC problems minimizing project cost and schedule impact!"

Beginning in September, 2015, EMCmini launches with a series of informative events. This "traveling road show" brings together industry experts and equipment manufacturers to give you the tools and information you need to stay ahead of the competition.

And now for a little "Name-dropping" ;) , some of the prominent speakers involved include;

• Ghery S. Pettit, NCE
• Mark Montrose
• Edward Nakauchi
• Shirish Shah
• Darryl Ray

Make sure to register for this event at least a week ahead! 

REF:

EMCmini.us

New Radio Equipment Directive Published

European Union flag (Photo credit: YanniKouts)

The new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU, replacing the R&TTE directive, has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The directive enters into force 20 days after publication and shall be transposed and become applicable 24 months after the date of entry into force.

Products have one extra year before they must comply with the new requirements. Products that comply with the current EU R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC can be placed on the market up to 36 months after the date of entry into force.

Publication in the OJEU was on 22nd May 2014.

Ref:

RTTE-CA presentation by the European Commission Unit F5

Directive 2014/53/EU http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_153_R_0002&from=EN

New EMC directive and LVD - NLF (New Legislative Framework) recast

European Commission (Photo credit: tiseb)

Voting has concluded and a number of CE marking directives have undergone a “recast” to align with the European Commission New Legislative Framework (NLF). Among the new directives for electrical products are the Electromagnetic compatibility EMC Directive and Electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits Low Voltage Directive.

The updated directives align them with the legislation laid down within the “NLF”. The NLF, adopted in 2008, is intended to improve market surveillance rules, require traceability within the supply chain, boost the quality of conformity assessment through stronger rules on the requirements imposed on conformity assessment bodies and testing laboratories, and stronger controls on the use of the “CE Mark” to enhance the marking credibility.

REF;

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-111_en.htm – European Commission Press Release (Feb. 5th 2014)

New versions of EN 55022 and EN 55024

ce mark (Photo credit: a94540871)

Just a little over 3 weeks before the new European EMC standards for Information Technology equipment are mandatory, are your reports and testing up to date?

The date of withdrawal is set to 12/1/13, after that date, no products covered by EN 55022 or EN55024 can be placed on the European market unless they are compliant with the new standards.

Ref:
EN55022:
Link to CENELEC Project Page
EN55024:
Link to CENELEC Project Page

Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance, EMC evaluation

radio module (Photo credit: ckhamken)

Building on a previous post focusing on radio module integration and the Radio and telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE) directive compliance, this article will focus on compliance of the combined apparatus with section 3.1(b) of the R&TTE directive, namely the essential requirements of Electromagnetic Compatibility or EMC.

As a basic primer, the R&TTE directive’s essential requirements are detailed within the directive under article 3, to paraphrase;

3.1 Essential requirements applicable to all apparatus;

       a. Safety requirements of the Low Voltage Directive, with lower limits removed

       b. Electromagnetic compatibility as per EMC directive

3.2 Effective use of radio spectrum

3.3 Construction, protection and accessibility requirements (with a number of specified items)

As posited in a previous post “Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance”, compliant radio modules installed in accordance with a manufacturer’s installation instruction require no further evaluation to article 3.2 of the R&TTE directive. However, an assessment, in most cases, will be necessary for article 3.1(a) and 3.1(b). The combined product will essentially form a new apparatus.

Given that the combined product should be assessed as a new apparatus, a couple questions may arise. What EU directive and standards apply? How do you make an assessment for EMC on the combined product?

When adding a radio to an apparatus, the new combined apparatus now falls within the scope of the R&TTE directive. ETSI EN 301 489-1 annex C gives guidance regarding this combined equipment EMC assessment, and it is based on the ETSI TR 102 070-1 technical report. In accordance with the guidance, for a combined apparatus where all products can operate independently of each other, an evaluation may be made by review of existing assessment of the individual apparatus, and if it is concluded that the combined configuration has been assessed and is representative of the combined apparatus, and, is used in according to its manufacturer’s instructions, it is not necessary to re-assess the apparatus. If there is insufficient information to make an evaluation, or the results of the evaluation are unclear, then an additional assessment shall be performed. Most of the time an assessment for EMC of the combined apparatus will not have been performed, or there is insufficient data to support a declaration of conformity.

Although under the scope of the R&TTE directive, the selection of applicable standards for EMC will be based on the primary function of the newly combined apparatus. The manufacturer shall declare the primary function and identify applicable standards from the EMC directive and/or R&TTE directive. The assessment should be supplemented with test levels and extended frequency ranges to cover both radio and non-radio aspects of the newly combined apparatus (i.e. a worst case representation of applicable levels and limits). See this flow chart from Compatible Electronics for a simplification of the assessment process based on the ETSI guidance.

The declaration of conformity will need to declare compliance with the R&TTE directive, and the party responsible for the completed combined apparatus is the party responsible for ensuring that the final configuration, when used properly, and in accordance with the provided instructions, fulfills ALL essential requirements of the R&TTE directive.

 

REF:

ETSI TR 102 070-1

ETSI EN 301 489-1 annex C

R&TTE CA TGN 01 Rev 5

GUIDELINES ON THE APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVE 2006/95/EC (par. 34)

R&TTE Directive List of Harmonized standards updated

A new list of “Harmonised” standards has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union with reference to the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment  Directive 1999/5/EC .

Below is a table of the most recent updates, or go directly to the full Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under the directive.

 

ESO (1)	Reference and title of the harmonised standard (and reference document)	Reference of superseded standard	Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded standard Note 1	Article of Directive 1999/5/EC
Cenelec	EN 50360:2001/A1:2012 (new) Product standard to demonstrate the compliance of mobile phones with the basic restrictions related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (300 MHz - 3 GHz)	Note 3	13/02/2015	Article 3(1)(a)
Cenelec	EN 60730-1:2011 (new) Automatic electrical controls for household and similar use -- Part 1: General requirements IEC 60730-1:2010 (Modified)			Article 3(1)(a) (and Article 2 2006/95/EC) + Article 3(1)(b)
Cenelec	EN 61000-3-12:2011 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part 3-12: Limits - Limits for harmonic currents produced by equipment connected to public low-voltage systems with input current > 16 A and <= 75 A per phase IEC 61000-3-12:2011	EN 61000-3-12:2005 Note 2.1	16/06/2014	Article 3(1)(b)
ETSI	EN 300 220-2 V2.4.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short Range Devices (SRD); Radio equipment to be used in the 25 MHz to 1 000 MHz frequency range with power levels ranging up to 500 mW; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive	EN 300 220-2 V2.3.1 Note 2.1	28/02/2014	Article 3(2)
ETSI	EN 300 328 V1.8.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Wideband transmission systems; Data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using wide band modulation techniques; Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive	EN 300 328 V1.7.1 Note 2.1	31/12/2014	Article 3(2)
ETSI	EN 301 489-17 V2.2.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment; Part 17: Specific conditions for Broadband Data Transmission Systems	EN 301 489-17 V2.1.1 Note 2.1	31/05/2014	Article 3(1)(b)
ETSI	EN 301 489-34 V1.3.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 34: Specific conditions for External Power Supply (EPS) for mobile phones	EN 301 489-34 V1.1.1 Note 2.1	28/02/2014	Article 3(1)(b)
ETSI	EN 301 559-2 V1.1.2 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);Short Range Devices (SRD); Low Power Active Medical Implants (LP-AMI) operating in the frequency range 2 483,5 MHz to 2 500 MHz;Part 2: Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive			Article 3(2)
ETSI	EN 301 843-1 V1.3.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for marine radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common technical requirements	EN 301 843-1 V1.2.1 Note 2.1	31/05/2014	Article 3(1)(b)
ETSI	EN 301 893 V1.7.1 (new) Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5 GHz high performance RLAN; Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive	EN 301 893 V1.6.1 Note 2.1	31/12/2014	Article 3(2)
ETSI	EN 302 288-2 V1.6.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short Range Devices; Road Transport and Traffic Telematics (RTTT); Short range radar equipment operating in the 24 GHz range; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive	EN 302 288-2 V1.3.2 Note 2.1	31/12/2013	Article 3(2)
ETSI	EN 302 774 V1.2.1 (new) Broadband Wireless Access Systems (BWA) in the 3 400 MHz to 3 800 MHz frequency band;Base Stations;Harmonized EN covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive	EN 302 774 V1.1.1 Note 2.1	31/12/2013	Article 3(2)

NOTE: Date Format is the European Date Format DD/MM/YYYY (List is an excerpt for the list provided at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonised-standards/ and only represents new items)

For links to this and lists for other directives, please visit Compatible Electronics’ European Conformity Assessment page.

EMC Directive List of Harmonized standards updated

A new list of “Harmonised” standards has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union with reference to the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2004/108/EC .

Below is a table of the most recent updates, or go directly to the full Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under the directive.

ESO(1)	Reference and title of the harmonised standard (and reference document)	Reference of superseded standard	Date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded standard Note 1
Cenelec	EN 50083-2:2012 (new) Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services -- Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility for equipment	EN 50083-2:2006 Note 2.1	21/06/2013
Cenelec	EN 50550:2011 Power frequency overvoltage protective device for household and similar applications (POP) EN 50550:2011/AC:2012 (new)
Cenelec	EN 60730-1:2011 (new) Automatic electrical controls for household and similar use -- Part 1: General requirements IEC 60730-1:2010 (Modified)	EN 60730-1:2000 and its amendments Note 2.1	01/10/2013
Cenelec	EN 60947-3:2009/A1:2012 IEC 60947-3:2008/A1:2012 (new) Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear -- Part 3: Switches, disconnectors, switch-disconnectors and fuse-combination units	Note 3	21/03/2015
Cenelec	EN 61000-3-12:2011 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) -- Part 3-12: Limits - Limits for harmonic currents produced by equipment connected to public low-voltage systems with input current > 16 A and <= 75 A per phase IEC 61000-3-12:2011	EN 61000-3-12:2005 Note 2.1	16/06/2014
Cenelec	EN 61439-3:2012 (new) Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies -- Part 3: Distribution boards intended to be operated by ordinary persons (DBO) IEC 61439-3:2012
Cenelec	EN 61800-3:2004/A1:2012 IEC 61800-3:2004/A1:2011 (new) Adjustable speed electrical power drive systems -- Part 3: EMC requirements and specific test methods	Note 3	19/12/2014
ETSI	EN 300 386 V1.6.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Telecommunication network equipment; ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements	EN 300 386 V1.5.1 Note 2.1	30/11/2015
ETSI	EN 301 489-34 V1.3.1 (new) Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 34: Specific conditions for External Power Supply (EPS) for mobile phones	EN 301 489-34 V1.1.1 Note 2.1	28/02/2014

NOTE: Date Format is the European Date Format DD/MM/YYYY (List is an excerpt for the list provided at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonised-standards/  and only represents new items)

 

For links to this and lists for other directives, please visit Compatible Electronics’ European Conformity Assessment page.

Update to Radio Equipment Rules proposed by European Commission

Outside the Berlaymont building of the European Commission (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to update the Radio Equipment Directive. The proposal has three main goals;

1. To Strengthen the level of Compliance with the Directive
2. To Clarify the Directive
3. To Simplify the Directive

Market surveillance will be a big part of the primary objective to strengthen the level of compliance. The new requirements will clearly spell out the responsibilities and obligations for every market player be it the manufacturer or importer. Simplification will come in the form of reduced administrative overhead such as suppression of notification requirements of certain products. The proposal also introduces some new requirements such as control of Software, and Interoperability with accessories, and networks.

The new R&TTE directive is also to be aligned with the New Legislative Framework (NLF). The NLF negotiations were conducted at the Member States level, and without consideration for specific Directives. As a result many of the New Approach Directives have become misaligned with the NLF. In late 2011 a package of 9 other recast draft directives, “aligned” with the NLF have been submitted to the EU Council and Parliament.

· Low Voltage Directive 
· EMC Directive
· ATEX Directive
· Lifts Directive
· Simple Pressure Vessels Directive
· Measuring Instruments Directive
· Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Directive
· Civil Explosives Directive
· Pyrotechnic Articles Directive
 
Ref:
Draft RE directive
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1109_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/rtte/documents/legislation/review/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/regulatory-policies-common-rules-for-products/new-legislative-framework/

Multimedia Equipment, emission requirements standard EN 55032 held up due to errors.

Back of audio mixer at bull and gate London (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The CEN-CENELEC Management Centre (CCMC) was informed that a considerable number of errors were discovered during the publishing phase of the new EMC standard for multimedia equipment, CISPR 32:2012. The procedure has been endorsed by CENELEC as EN 55032:2012 (dor = 3/5/12). It has been noted that the document submitted for vote was the correct text however.

While the IEC is investigating possible options for correcting the matter, CCMC is informing of the errors and working with the IEC toward a speedy resolution to enable CENELEC members to implement corrections at the national level. The CCMC has also posted a note to the CENELEC website / database informing of this error.

The CCMC will not yet offer EN 55032:2012 to the European Commission for citing in the Official Journal. The intended listing was for the EMC and Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment ( R&TTE)  Directives.

Furthermore the Technical Committee will request that the Date of Withdrawal (DOW) be extended from dor+36 months to dor+60 months.

EN 55032:2012 has a broad scope and applies to multimedia equipment (MME) having a rated r.m.s. AC or DC supply voltage not exceeding 600 V. Equipment within the scope of CISPR 13 (EN 55013) or CISPR 22 (EN 55022) is within the scope of EN 55032. Multimedia equipment intended primarily for professional use is also within the scope of EN 55032.

The term “dor” refers to the date of ratification, and is the date when the technical board notes the approval of a European Norm (EN), at which time the standard may be said to be adopted.

Ref:

CENELC Project : EN 55032:2012

CENELEC Guide 19

New R&TTE and EMC Standards List Published in OJ

New Harmonized standards lists have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union for the Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment(R&TTE) Directive and the EMC Directive.

R&TTE Directive Standards List

EMC Directive Standards List

2011 market surveillance report EU –are tablet PCs a target for 2012?

Image via Wikipedia

Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) of Germany, for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway has the responsibility to carry out the market surveillance under the EMC and R&TTE Directives.

The agency published a summary of the 2011 market surveillance campaign on its web site. The campaign’s primary focus in 2011 was with the EMC directive and in particular, LED lighting equipment. The report also combines results from the 2010 and 2011 campaigns to give a summary overall and to achieve a low error probability due to the larger sample size.

For some background on emissions concerning LED product, see July 2011 post “Radio interference from LED lighting”.

The surveillance looked at administrative conformity, such as marking, documentation and declarations, as well as the technical aspects of the directive namely compliance with the emissions and immunity requirements. A total of 168 products were sampled in 2011.

On the administrative side, the surveillance found that 76.8% of the samples were compliant with the CE marking requirements, while only 39.9% were compliant with the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) requirements.

For the technical assessment, 61.5% of product complied with the radio emissions requirement, and 91.3% were found immune to specific interference phenomenon, out of 46 products tested overall.

In total, only 17.3% of LED lighting equipment was found to be fully compliant.

For the “reactive market surveillance”, the overall rate of non-compliance for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) was 38.9%. For radio and telephone terminal equipment (R&TTE) a majority, 65.5%, was found non-compliant according to the report, but most concerning was that 75.6% of the R&TTE products checked were non-compliant with the safety and health measurement requirements.

The 2011 surveillance resulted in 90 EMC sales bans, 177 R&TTE sales bans, 353 “memoranda of understanding” between the two directives, and total revenues of €1,046,000

The report details some objectives for 2012 indicating supporting the revision of the EMC and R&TTE directives and transposition into national law, including harmonizing product assessment for market surveillance, and increasing cooperation with European market surveillance and customs authorities as well as adapting the national database for market surveillance results, to the European ICSMS database.

Two product group targets were mentioned for 2012, one a coordinated German/Dutch campaign targeting tablet PCs focused on the R&TTE directive, and another targeting “Ready-made connecting devices”, or laptop power supplies.

 

ref;

Market surveillance statistics 2011

Ready-Made Connecting devices (cables) under EMC directive?

Image via Wikipedia

During the revision of the EMC directive 89/336/EEC, back in 2003, one of the most controversial proposals was the inclusion of “Ready-made connecting devices” within the scope of the EMC directive.

Ready-made connecting devices would encompass passive product, typically 3rd party in nature, designed to interconnect and be connected to apparatus covered within the scope of the directive, in effect classifying such connecting devices as apparatus themselves within the scope of the directive.

Products such as network cables, Audio / Video cables, and other interconnecting cables and adaptors would come under such classification and be subject to the protection requirements of the EMC directive (to paraphrase; must not interfere with others and must operate in the presence of interference without significant loss of performance) , thus requiring testing and marking as any other apparatus would.

It was argued that the term, “Ready-made connecting devices”, itself was ambiguous and unclear. Eventually it was decided that the devices represented no major interference potential, and because of the costs manufactures would incur for testing and marking, it was removed from the scope of the directive.

With the current revision and alignment of the EMC Directive with New Legislative Framework (NLF), the EMC directive 204/108/EC once again is subject to modification, and potential scope expansion. One such change being circulated for inclusion is that ready-made connecting devices be considered again and brought under the regime of the EMC directive.

In a proposal from the German Administration (BNetza), it is argued that in light of experience gained since 2003, the non interference claims argument cannot be maintained. The proposal claims there is no longer any serious doubt that insufficiently shielded connecting devices greatly increase the interference potential of TV and Cable networks in particular. The proposal cites several reports with data supporting this conclusion. One such report shows a  peak 30dB difference in screening effectiveness between two types tested, from most to least shielding, and notes that cable connectors can contribute around 10 dB of difference. See   ”The Concise Report of the CENELEC/ETSI Joint Working Group on the digital dividend" of 12 August 2010 (section 7.3)

The proposal suggests  that the following requirement be added to the new EMC directive;

Ready-made connecting devices, although incapable of generating electromagnetic disturbance in isolation, may generate or transmit electromagnetic disturbance when connected to an apparatus and should therefore be considered to be apparatus for the purposes of this Directive.

With ready-made connecting devices being defined as;

ready-made connecting devices' intended for connection to an apparatus by an end user for the transmission of signals, which are placed on the market separately from such apparatus, and which are liable to generate or transmit electromagnetic disturbance when connected to it.

This addition would then subject cables and connectors to the same technical requirements as any other product under the EMC directive, regardless of the component’s active or passive nature.

The last word on Power Line telecom (PLT) in the EU, EN 55022:2006 applies in full, maybe….

Image by Sigfrid Lundberg via Flickr

Power Line communication devices continue to be a controversial subject, with respect to the Electromagnetic Compatibility of such devices. We have been following this subject for both the United States, and for Europe. The latest round comes from across the pond with the rejection (negative vote) of the European Norm targeted to cover the testing of these devices, prEN 50561-1:201X. For background on this topic, see my past article “An update on PLT, Power Line Telecommunications, in Europe”.

Due to the negative vote on prEN 50561-1:201X, and a lack of a specific standard covering the emissions testing for PLT devices, EN 55022:2006 applies in full for these devices as of October 1st. It should be noted that many newer high speed advanced PLT devices cannot pass the requirements of EN 55022:2006 at this time.

This conclusion will be confirmed by a note published in the Official Journal reference to harmonized standards under the EMC directive.

CENELEC may offer a second vote, indicating that the choice is between EN 50561-1 and EN 55022. If this vote fails, no further option exists.

What does this mean for product on the market? Are recalls required for non compliant devices? What about new product placed on the market? The Commission is expected to accept a reasonable Date of Withdrawal (DoW) as proposed by working group 11, and until that date, manufacturers should still be able to continue placing product on the market using the Declaration of Conformity and Notified Body TCF path. The EU market authorities are “encouraged” to accept this.

The group of European Notified Bodies are meeting to discuss, and will consider the Technical Guidance Note (TGN) on the matter, after the meeting. Is this the end of the debate? Time will only tell, and we’ll continue to post when we learn more.

Updated list of standards published in the Official Journal of the European Union, under the R&TTE directive, on 9/21/11.

Find a copy on Compatible Electronics', European Conformity Assessment page, or at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:277:0001:0035:EN:PDF

By: J Klinger