EMC Directive 2004/108/EC

2004/108/EC has now superceded the previous EMC directive 89/336/EEC and is applicable to all "equipment" placed on the marked in the European Union that is not covered by the R&TTE Directive, requirements for aeronautical products, or is amateur radio equipment.

"Equipment" means any apparatus or fixed installation where:

• Apparatus is any finished appliance or combination thereof made commerically available as a single functional unit.
• fixed installations are a combination of several types of apparatus assembled, installed and intended to be used permanently at a predefined location.

In order to demonstrate that apparatus complies with the EMC Directive, the manufacturer must perform an electromagnetic compatibility assessment with a view to meeting the protection requirements set out in Annex I of the Directive. The assessment must take into account the normal operating conditions and is usually done by the correct application of all the relevant harmonised standards. Standards are normally "applied" by a combination of testing and technical argument.

The manufacturer must compile and collate technical documentation detailing how the product meets the EMC Directive. It must cover the design and manufacture of the apparatus, in particular:

• A general description of the apparatus;
• Evidence of compliance with the harmonised standards, if any, applied in full or in part;
• Where the manufacturer has not applied harmonised standards, or has applied them only in part, a description and explanation of the steps taken to meet the essential requirements of the Directive, including a description of the electromagnetic compatibility assessment set out in Annex II, point 1, results of design calculations made, examinations carried out, test reports, etc.
• Details of quality control during manufacture so that the manufacturer can be sure of the build state of all products made and so declare that they comply with applicable directives.

We can guide you through the product approval process to demonstrate compliance with the EMC Directive by:

• Reviewing any existing CE Technical File and identifying the standards applicable to the product.
• Provide design advice and support during early stage design reviews and product development.
• Create streamlined test plans for Pre-Compliance and Compliance testing and writing technical argument where testing is not required.
• Perform and/or manage sub-contract testing at 3rd party test facilities.
• Produce Test Reports and the Technical File that should be retained by the manufacturer to support the CE mark.

For more information, or a free initial consultation, please send us an email or call us on +44 (0)7946 624317.