If you produce an electronic/electrical device which could influence or be influenced by another through electromagnetic disturbances, then it is likely to be subject to the EU Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive and the corresponding UK Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016.

These have been designed to keep the potential side effects of these devices, such as interference, under reasonable control by ensuring that equipment does not generate electromagnetic disturbances and is not affected by them.  

If you produce any equipment which falls under the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive, then it is important that you understand how it affects you to ensure that your product is fully compliant in order to put it on the market within the European Union or UK.

If you would like assistance with the Electromagnetic Directive, please get in touch

What is the EMC Directive?

The Electromagnetic Directive limits electromagnetic emissions from equipment to ensure when the product is used as intended, the equipment does not disturb or impact radio and telecommunication devices, as well as other electric devices you may have.

Electromagnetic compatibility refers to the ability of any piece of electrical equipment to function satisfactorily within its own electromagnetic environment. There can be all sorts of electromagnetic interference that you might notice, such as buzzing through speakers when other devices are too close to them. This electromagnetic interference can stop certain pieces of equipment from functioning properly and could even cause physical damage to some items.

The Electromagnetic Compatibility directive puts limits on the electromagnetic emissions from equipment so that when it is used it does not unduly disturb other equipment such as radio or telecommunication. It also addresses how immune equipment is from interference to ensure that it is not significantly disturbed by emissions from other equipment.

The EMC directive 2014 30 EU outlines that all equipment should comply with the EMC regulations when it is placed on the market and that the application of good engineering practice is required for any fixed installations.

How to achieve EMC compliance

If you are responsible for the production of electrical/electronic equipment, it is important that your products are EMC compliant. That means you must take care to design the equipment in line with the appropriate electromagnetic emission and immunity requirements found in the EMC standards.

You are then required to document any test results and calculations that you perform which demonstrate that your equipment is EMC compliant and apply the relevant labelling and marking to your product.

EMC compliance is relevant if the product is to be marketed in any of the countries which require CE marking. The legislation applies to products which contain electronics or active electrical components, whether they are battery or mains powered.

If a product is physically incapable of emitting or being disturbed by electromagnetic interference because it does not contain any active electronic parts, then it is exempt from the legislation. This could include cables and most batteries, corded headphones, pocket lamps and simple quartz watches.

There are certain other pieces of radio equipment, aeronautical and motor parts and medical devices which are also exempt because they are covered by other legislation.

It is important to remember that strict penalties can be applied if your product does not conform to the EMC directive, so you need to fully understand what it covers, how it applies to you and how it is enforced. Our experts are here to help you interpret the EMC directive and ensure compliance, so get in touch today for further advice.

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Ready to expand your business into new markets? Let our team of expert Authorised Representatives guide you through the process. Contact us now to get started. Call us on 01298873837 or via email info@ARenquiries.com, alternatively you can fill out our form over on our contact page.

 

Our Scope of Service

How AR Service will support you?

Authorised Representative Service will act as your responsible economic operator and carry out the following obligations for you:

  • We will verify that your EU Declaration of Conformity (or Incorporation, Performance, etc.) and technical documentation has been drawn up correctly.
  • We will keep these documents at the disposal of market surveillance authorities for the period required by that legislation and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to those authorities upon request.
  • Upon request from a market surveillance authority, we will ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to them in order to demonstrate the conformity of the product.
  • If we have reason to believe that a product presents a risk, we will highlight this information to the necessary parties.
  • If a risk is identified, we will liaise with you and support you in taking immediate, necessary, corrective action to remedy any noncompliance causing the risk.
  • As your Authorised Representative, we will provide you with our name and contact details, for you to place on the product, it’s packaging or accompanying documentation.
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