Reducing interference between electrical and electronic devices

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2014/30/EU harmonising EU Member States’ laws on electromagnetic compatibility

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It aims to ensure that electrical and electronic equipment complies with an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility in the European Union (EU).
It lays down uniform rules to ensure that equipment does not introduce intolerable electromagnetic disturbance and that this equipment is also able to perform as intended without degradation in the presence of an electromagnetic disturbance.
It also guarantees, in relation to electromagnetic compatibility, the free movement of electrical and electronic equipment within the EU’s internal market.
Directive 2014/30/EU revises and repeals Directive 2004/108/EC.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The equipment covered by this directive includes both fixed installations and other apparatus.
It does not apply to:
- radio equipment within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU (see summary);
- custom-built evaluation kits for professional use at research and development facilities;
- radio equipment used by radio amateurs, unless the equipment is made available on the market;
- inherently benign equipment;
- certain types of airborne equipment, due to the amendments of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 (see Article 137 of that regulation).
The directive does not apply, or ceases to apply, in respect of essential requirements on electromagnetic compatibility, to equipment that falls within the scope of the directive, where such requirements are wholly or partly laid down more specifically by other EU legislation.

Apparatus

The directive defines the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers and distributors in regard to the sale of electromagnetic apparatus.

All apparatus (falling under the directive) on sale in the EU must bear the CE conformity marking to show it meets all the applicable essential requirements of EU legislation.
The manufacturer must first conduct a conformity assessment and draw up the technical documentation for the apparatus. These are compulsory for apparatus placed on the market, but not for apparatus to be incorporated into a given fixed installation.
Where compliance of apparatus with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated, manufacturers shall then draw up an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking.
Importers must check whether manufacturers have carried out conformity assessments correctly and inform the national body responsible for market surveillance if they consider that the apparatus does not conform with the essential requirements. They must also ensure that the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation, that the apparatus bears the CE marking and that it is accompanied by the required documents and information.
Distributors must verify that the apparatus bears the CE marking and that it is accompanied by the required documents and information.
All necessary documentation must be kept for 10 years.
Manufacturers, importers and distributors must provide information and documentation to demonstrate conformity in a language easily understood by the competent national authority.
Manufacturers and importers must indicate their postal address on the apparatus or, where that is not possible, on its packaging or in a document accompanying the apparatus.

In addition, the directive specifies how national authorities must identify apparatus which is not in conformity with its requirements and prevent it from being made available.

Fixed installations

EU Member States shall set out the necessary rules for identifying the person or persons responsible for establishing the compliance of a fixed installation.

Guide for the electromagnetic compatibility directive

The objective of the guide for the electromagnetic compatibility directive is to assist with the common application of Directive 2014/30/EU. The guide has no legal weight but deals with a number of practical issues that are of interest to manufacturers and other stakeholders.

FROM WHEN DO THE RULES APPLY?

The directive had to be transposed into national law by 19 April 2016. These rules have applied since 20 April 2016.

BACKGROUND

The directive updates EU rules on placing electromagnetic equipment on the market. This is part of the effort to modernise EU law in a wide variety of industrial sectors so as to reduce administrative burdens and establish simpler, clearer and more consistent rules.

For further information, see:

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2014/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (recast) (OJ L 96, 29.3.2014, pp. 79–106).

Successive amendments to Directive 2014/30/EU have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.