What is the Radio Equipment Directive (RED)? The European Union adopted a new set of rules regarding radio equipment that is put into service or placed on the European market. This change was confirmed back in 2014 to allow sufficient transition time at all levels. Each EU member state was required to adapt their national laws to accommodate the new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) (2014/53/EU, which was published on 22 May 2014). Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU comes into full effect on 13 June 2016.
Manufacturers have until 13 June 2017 to comply with the new requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). Even if you are currently compliant with the existing legislation for the RTTED or LVD/EMCD. The existing Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTED) (1999/5/EC) will be repealed on 13 June 2016. But equipment in conformity with the R&TTED can presume conformity with the RED until June 2017. After this date, you will need to reassess the compliance of your products. The current issue facing manufacturer’s of wireless products is the lack of harmonised standards. During the build-up to the full roll out to the RED, it is expected many of these issues will be clarified and rectified.
What are the Harmonised Standards for the Radio Equipment Directive?
A good informative source of information on the RED can be found on the ETSI LIST of Harmonised Standards. Also to this, you should also regularly check the implementation of Directive 2014/53/EU. Publication of titles and references of harmonised standards under Union harmonisation legislation. Also, check this following link to The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. 20 latest published ETSI standards under the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. This list includes the popular ETSI EN 300 328, which is used for many types of transmitters and receivers including Bluetooth and WiFi.
What has changed since the R&TTE
The RED applies to equipment that is placed on the market (this contrasts with the R&TTE, which also applied to “relevant components” of radio equipment).
The RED applies to equipment that intentionally transmits or receives radio waves for communications or radio-determination, regardless of its primary function. For example, a “connected” device that uses an embedded radio module for communications or to determine its position has to meet the same radio requirements as purpose-built radio equipment.
Wired telecommunications terminal equipment that does not function using radio is not covered by the RED.
Radio equipment covered by the RED is not subject to the Low-Voltage Directive (LVD) or the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMCD): the essential requirements of those Directives are covered by the essential requirements of the RED, with certain modifications.
The RED places additional emphasis on efficient and effective use of the spectrum. In particular radio equipment needs to demonstrate the performance of its receiver part, as well as its transmitter, as both are considered to affect the efficient and effective use of the spectrum.
The RED applies to radio equipment operating at frequencies below 3 000 GHz, including radio equipment operating below 9 kHz that is not covered by the R&TTED or by National frequency regulations.
The RED also applies to radio-determination equipment: equipment that uses the propagation qualities of radio waves to determine its position.
The R&TTED specifically excluded Broadcast TV & radio receivers from its scope. These are now specifically included in the scope of the RED.
How can EMC Bayswater help your wireless product?
EMC Bayswater along with the certification services offered by the EMC Technologies group. Will be able to ensure that the transition through to the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) should be able to achieve with minimal issues. Also, remember that some standards cited for RED may involve testing to the EN 55032 opposed to the almost phased out EN 555022. EMC Bayswater is a NATA accredited laboratory for EN 55022 and AS/NZS CISPR 22 EMC testing.
Or visit our wireless testing page for other wireless compliance testing requirements for other global markets.
Information source: ETSI website
