Applying the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) correctly: What requirements result from the CE marking?
The CE RED certification refers to the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED), which has established a uniform legal framework for placing radio equipment on the EU internal market. Products affected by this Directive must bear the CE mark and meet requirements in the areas of safety, health, electromagnetic compatibility and efficient use of the frequency spectrum. The radio equipment directive covers almost all electrical and electronic devices that transmit or receive radio waves, such as televisions, mobile phones, Bluetooth and WiFi devices (such as Bluetooth speakers), IoT devices and computers that emit radiation. However, the Directive does not apply to amateur radio equipment, ship equipment according to certain criteria, aviation products, custom evaluation kits and radio equipment for public safety, military and state security. When designing radios, manufacturers must consider various design-specific safety aspects according to the RED, including compliance with low-voltage guidelines, electromagnetic compatibility and the efficient use of the frequency spectrum.
Q&A
What is CE RED certification?
The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) has created a legal framework that ensures a uniform placement of radio equipment on the EU internal market.
Which products are covered by the Radio Equipment Directive (RED)?
The Radio Equipment Directive covers almost all electrical and electronic devices that transmit/receive radio waves, such as televisions; mobile phones; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices (such as audio products such as Bluetooth speakers); Internet of Things (IoT) devices; computers emitting radiation, and mixers with DC motors.
Which products are not covered by the Radio Equipment Directive?
The Radio Equipment Directive does not apply to: radios used by radio amateurs; marine equipment within the meaning of Directive 2014/90/EU; airborne products, parts and equipment covered by Regulation (EC) 216/2008 fall; Custom-made evaluation kits; Radio equipment for public security, military and state security.
What should be considered when designing radios?
As the most important EU directive for radios, RED specifies the following design-specific safety aspects: compliance with the requirements of the low-voltage directive with the exception of voltage limits; appropriate level of electromagnetic compatibility, as described in the EMC Directive; efficient use of the frequency spectrum.
How to obtain a CE marking for radio equipment (radio equipment)?
The following plan shows step by step how to achieve the CE marking by means of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED):
What requirements does the European Union (EU) impose on radio equipment according to RED?
The number of applicable directives and product-specific test requirements make the CE conformity assessment seem confusing. To mark your product with the CE mark, you must have a CE documentation incl. prepare technical documentation and comply with the following regulations:
Which CE documents are required for radio equipment according to RED?
To ensure that the radio equipment complies with the CE marking, a declaration of conformity (DoC), instructions for use and technical documentation must be prepared before the product is placed on the market in the European Union.
What does a declaration of conformity (DoC) look like under the Radio Equipment Directive?
The CE declaration of conformity is a declaration by the importer or manufacturer that the product meets the essential requirements of the applicable directives.
What does an instruction manual for radio equipment contain?
For radio equipment, among other things, a manual must be provided in the appropriate language, which informs the user at least about the following product aspects: safety instructions; installation and, if necessary, installation. Setup; operation; charging or refilling if necessary; environmentally friendly disposal.
What must the technical documentation for radio equipment include?
The technical dossier shows how the product was assembled and must contain at least the following documents: parts list; product specifications/product analysis; packaging information; list of applicable standards and directives (e.g., RoHS, RED, EMC); test reports according to CE guidelines; quality assurance reports; risk assessment
Which harmonized standards are most commonly applied to radio equipment?
RED defines which harmonized standards apply to radio equipment. These harmonized standards are regularly published in the Official Journal of the European Union and cover different requirements.
What other directives are linked to the Radio Equipment Directive?
Products to which the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED)) applies are almost always covered by the EMC Directive on electromagnetic compatibility as well as the RoHS, REACH and WEEE directives on materials and disposal.
What does the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU say compared to RED?
The EMC Directive sets electromagnetic emission limits. Electronic products must be tested for immunity to interference and electrostatic discharge (ESD).
What does the RoHS directive say compared to RED?
RoHS limits the use of certain hazardous substances in electronic products and applies to any electrical or electronic component of the product.
What does the WEEE Directive say about RED?
The environmental impact of unwanted waste from electrical and electronic equipment is addressed in the WEEE Directive, which also applies to radios. For you, this means:
What does the REACH Directive say in comparison to RED?
Chemicals that can occur in electronic components of radios, for example, may have to comply with the REACH regulation.
Which substances does REACH restrict?
Some examples of restricted substances under REACH are: lead; cadmium; mercury; pentachloroethane; acrylamide; benzene
What is SVHC under REACH?
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) provides and updates information on the list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) on restricted substances and REACH requirements. Manufacturers are advised to avoid using SVHC during the development phase.
Is there also country-specific WEEE/RoHS/REACH information?
The EU’s WEEE, RoHS and REACH directives are implemented in accordance with national regulations. Therefore, you need specific information about the legislation in the country you want to export to. Sellers usually offer combined declarations of compliance with ROHS, WEEE and REACH
How long are the mandatory tests for radios?
Experience has shown that a typical complete test of a wireless product within the scope of CE conformity takes 4 weeks.
Does a wireless product containing one or more approved modules need to be retested?
In contrast to the FCC (USA), the CE marking within the framework of RED has no concept for modular approval. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the device "ALL" meets the essential requirements of the radio equipment and EMC directive. A full product inspection is required to apply the CE marking. In many cases, however, parts of the module test can be used.
Does the EU Battery Directive for lithium battery safety standards have to be complied with?
Radios containing lithium batteries are usually covered by several CE directives such as the Radio Equipment, EMC or RoHS Directive. However, individual lithium batteries or cells do not require CE marking.
What is the difference between RED and FCC?
FCC is used in the USA, RED in the European Union. The approval procedures differ mainly in test protocols, EMC regulations and high frequency range limitation.
How do RED and FCC differ in terms of test protocols?
The FCC certification is stricter with regard to the test protocols. The applicant must involve a verifier and submit the results to the Commission.
How do RED and FCC differ in terms of electromagnetic compatibility?
With regard to the EMC Directive, the EU approval procedure is stricter, which prescribes additional tests of radiation immunity, the conducted immunity and the electrostatic discharge (ESD).
How do RED and FCC differ in terms of high frequency range limitation?
The FCC allows a wider range for RF compared to RED.
How did "Hazard Based Safety Engineering" for radios come about?
Safety engineers expressed concerns about the potential dangers of high frequency/MW radiation. High doses of radio waves cause cancer, leukemia and other diseases.
What is "Hazard Based Safety Engineering"?
The HBSE principles focus on potential hazards that can harm the end user and on avoiding them. These hazards include: Electrical Shock Energy, Mechanical Energy, Electrical Fire, Chemical Energy, Thermal Energy and Radiation Energy.
How does the RED Directive relate to "Hazard Based Safety Engineering"?
The Radio Equipment Directive implemented the principles of the HBSE by creating a legal framework for the placing on the market of radio equipment and thus basic requirements for health and safety, determines the electromagnetic compatibility and efficient use of the frequency spectrum. Consequently, RED prevents hazards from EMC and RF.