Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU or RED
The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) defines the regulatory framework for putting the radio equipment on the market of the European Union. It was adopted on 26 February 2014 and repealed Directive 1999/5/EC. The Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council in force since 20 April 2016 harmonizes the laws of the EU Member States with regards to radio equipment being made available on the European market.
The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) sets out requirements both to the equipment and to its manufacturer.
Among the requirements to the radio equipment can be distinguished its safety towards human beings, pets and property; the relevant level of electromagnetic compatibility as per Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU; efficient use within the radio frequency spectrum. Safe interaction of radio equipment with other devices/equipment, as well as technical features for the protection of privacy, personal data and against fraud are also covered by RED.
The manufacturer of the radio equipment and software is required to provide complete information about their products to the EU Member States and the European Commission. This information includes and is not limited to results of conformity assessment and laboratory tests (test reports), technical documents, EU declaration of conformity, all the necessary data about the manufacturer.
The manufacturer must ensure that the radio equipment fully complies with the RED Directive. The manufacturer must therefore prepare the necessary product descriptions and detailed technical documentation, carry out tests, carry out conformity assessment procedures, fulfill the full range of laboratory tests by a notified body in line with the Directive and obtain the CE marking.
The manufacturer is obliged to keep the technical file for 10 years after the product is placed on the market.
The manufacturer also bears full responsibility for drawing up instructions for use, assigning product identification information and providing his contact details to distributors, importers, national authorities, consumers, etc.
All of the above information must be provided in one of the languages of the EU.
The following products are covered by Directive 2014/53/EU:
The Directive applies to any equipment that emits or receives radio waves to communicate with or determine the characteristics of an object. Examples of devices covered by Directive 2014/53/EU are cell phones, modems, radio receivers, television equipment, remote controls, etc.
Unlike the Directive 1999/5/EC on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE), the current RED Directive abolishes the lower limit of the radio spectrum: previously it was 9 kHz. The upper limit remains to be set at 3000 GHz.
Directive 2014/53/EU does not apply to (Ref. Annex 1):
-
Radio equipment used by amateurs unless it is made available on the market
-
Marine equipment as it falls under Council Directive 96/98/EC
-
Airborne products, parts and appliances as they fall under Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
-
Custom-built evaluation kits destined for professionals to be used for research and development purposes
In addition to the above RED does not apply to radio equipment which is not intended for communication and thus falls under the scope of EMC Directive.
CE Marking according to Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (cf. Articles NN 19, 20 of RED)
The CE marking shall be affixed to the radio equipment or to its identification plate visibly, legibly and indelibly. The CE marking shall also be affixed in the same manner to the packaging of the radio equipment.
The CE marking of the radio equipment shall be affixed before it is made available on the EU market.
The CE marking shall contain the identification number of the notified body which performed the conformity assessment of the radio equipment according to RED requirements. The identification number of the notified body shall be of the same height as CE marking.
EU Authorised Representative
If a manufacturer is not a member of the European Community, he must appoint an authorised representative in the European Union in order to register a declaration of conformity or to obtain a CE mark of conformity for the radio equipment.
In addition to providing a complete range of services with regards to conformity assessmentof products according to the requirements of Directive 2014/53/EU CCIS-EXPERTISE also delivers a service of an authorised representative in the European Union.
The conformity assessment procedure of products according to Radio Equipment Directive:
Conformity assessment procedures of radio equipment are performed to meet the essential health and safety requirements set out in Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU.
The compliance can be demonstrated by choosing one of the conformity assessment procedures also known as Modules:
-
Module A. Internal production control (is carried out by the manufacturer himself)
-
Module B. EU-type examination (is carried out by a notified body chosen by the manufacturer) and
Module C. Conformity to type based on internal production control
-
Module H. Full quality assurance (involves an approved quality system for radio equipment design and manufacture, conformity assessment is carried out by a notified body chosen by the manufacturer)
Statutory reference
Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on radio equipment repealed Directive 1999/5/EC on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE). The transition period from R&TTE to RED had lasted until 13 June 2017 after which the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU became fully applicable.
The objectives of Directive 2014/53/EU consist in covering the variety of the latest technologies and ensuring safety of consumers. Also, RED contains revised requirements for market surveillance of radio equipment in Europe and product testing to verify compliance with EU standards.
Full text of the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU
CCIS-EXPERTISE specialists will help you to:
-
identify directives and standards that apply to your products
-
prepare and evaluate the technical file
-
translate all relevant documentation and drawings
-
determine the cost of certification work
-
carry out all procedures of the European conformity assessment process
-
conduct tests of any complexity in accredited European and national laboratories
-
prepare the declaration of conformity
-
provide an authorised representative for your company in the EU
