SGS Announces Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU Update Available

Helsinki, Finland, March 23, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Directive 2014/53/EU Broadens Scope of Previous Regulations

This new directive will replace the existing 15-year-old R&TTE (radio and teleterminal equipment) directive 1999/5/EU in 2016 after a two-year transition period.

There will be some major changes in the scope of the directive compared to the existing directive:

- Sound and TV broadcast receivers will now fall under the scope of the directive. Previously these were included in the scope of the EMC directive.
- Equipment operating under 9 kHz frequency range will now fall under the scope of the directive.
- Radio determination equipment will be included in the scope of the directive.
- Fixed-line terminals are excluded from the scope of the directive.

Changes Affect Requirements, Administrative Obligations

Also, changes have been made to the essential requirements. In Article 3(3)(a) radio equipment interworks with accessories, in particular with common chargers and Article 3(3)(i) to ensure that radio equipment can only upload software if the compliance of the combination of the software and the radio equipment has been demonstrated can be invoked by the commission.

Totally new requirements have been set out in Article 5 which deals with registration of radio equipment affected by a low level of compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. There will be a central registration system provided by the commission. The Commission shall allocate to each registered radio equipment type a registration number, which manufacturers shall affix on radio equipment placed on the market. According to the commission this article can be invoked starting 12 June 2018.

Changes to administrative obligations:

- Prior notification of radio equipment that is using non-harmonized frequency bands (current Article 6(4)) is suppressed. Manufacturers can use the online EFIS frequency information system provided by the European Communication Office (ECO). This will help evaluate whether and under which conditions such radio equipment may be used within each Member State before placing the radio equipment on the market.

- Also, the alert sign used in conjunction with the CE mark indicating that there are restrictions on use is suppressed. Manufacturers shall make this information available on the packaging of the equipment. User instructions shall also include information on frequency and power used by radio transmitters.

- The new directive clarifies the requirements for manufacturers, authorized representatives, importers and distributors. These are aligned with decision 768/2008/EC New Legislative Frame Work. Furthermore, the legal tools for member state’s authorities that perform market surveillance have been improved.

New requirements also exist for the notified bodies of the member states that issue notified body opinions. Accreditation has become a rule based on decision 768/2008/EC. This means that a notified body needs to be accredited by its national accreditation body. Also according to article 26 of the directive notified bodies are required to participate in the standardization, regulation and the activities of the notified body coordination group established under the relevant Union harmonization legislation.

Radio Equipment Directive Timeline

Important dates:

- Directive was published in the European Official Journal on the 22nd May 2014.
- The Directive is applicable and has to be implemented via national legislation in each member state 12th June 2016.
- The new directive will repeal the existing directive 1999/5/EU 13th June 2016.
- It is not allowed to use RED before that date.
- Equipment complying with the essential requirements of the existing directive have a 12 month extra transition period. These devices can be placed on the market until 12th June 2017.

Reference:

Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32014L0053)

About SGS Electrical and Electronics Services

As the world’s leader in third party testing SGS has the global knowledge and local expertise to help companies achieve compliance with Electrical & Electronics regulations covering product safety, EMC (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Electrical-and-Electronics/IT-and-Telecommunication/Testing/EMC-Testing.aspx), hazardous substances (RoHS, REACH, SVHC etc), energy efficiency, Ecodesign, ErP, Performance and Reliability as well as with many other consumer product related requirements. Whether it be testing or services in the fields of inspection, certification, compliance assurance, outsourcing, training or auditing, SGS is ideally positioned to provide unmatched service and support.

Please contact an SGS expert for further information.

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