Low Voltage Directive, Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
Free movement of goods is a cornerstone of the single market and it is one of the great achievements of our time. The mechanisms in place to achieve this aim are based on prevention of new barriers to trade, mutual recognition and technical harmonisation This economic space, where goods, services, capital and labour can circulate freely, provides a foundation for prosperity in the European Union as we move towards the 21st century.
New Approach
The European Union has developed original and innovative instruments to remove the barriers to free circulation of goods. Among these, the New Approach to product regulation and the Global Approach to conformity assessment take pride of place.
These principles are against any kind of regulation. It is focused on clear defining social framework in which business should be free to serve customers fairly and effectively. The common thread between these complementary approaches is that they limit public intervention to what is essential and leave business and industry the greatest possible choice on how to meet their public obligations. Safety, protection of customer rights, standardisation – a way to innovative and competitive economy.
Since 1987 some 25 directives, adopted on the basis of the New Approach and the Global Approach, have progressively come into force. The operation of any innovative system inevitably raises questions. A fi rst Guide, intended to answer some of these, was published in 1994. This has now been updated and rewritten, on the basis of experience.
Aid to the candidate countries
It will be an invaluable aid to the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe in taking over the New Approach and the Global Approach and the directives adopted following them. It will also contribute to better understanding of these methods in other countries and may even lead them to adopt similar principles.
Directives
There are two main European Directives that apply to electrical and electronic equipment with respect to health, safety and performance:
- The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC lays down the requirements covering all health and safety risks of electrical equipment operating within certain voltage ranges. Consumer goods that are not covered by the LVD are dealt by the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC.
- The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2004/108/EC lays down requirements in order to preventing electrical and electronic equipment from generating or being affected by electromagnetic disturbances.
Both Directives are based on the principles of the so-called “New Approach”. The almost total absence of third-party intervention in the conformity assessment greatly reduces the burden on the manufacturer as is considered a model for other trade blocs. By means of the above and the application of of the CE marking, these Directives have directly and substantially contributed to the Single Market foe electrical and electronic products.
The Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, known as the R&TTE directive or RTTE for short, is the main route to compliance for Radio and Telecoms equipment that is sold in Europe. It is practical and to some extend reference example the New Approach to the directive.
This directive is close to Self Certifi cation but shifts the emphasis from regulation to surveillance. This enables you to get a product to market much quicker but if it doesn’t meet requirements you are much more likely to be found out and forced to withdraw the product. The Essential Requirements for a product cover Health and Safety, EMC, Use of the Radio Spectrum and Specifi c Requirements for certain classes of equipment.