EU Electromagnetic Compatibility & Low Voltage Directives - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 10:10:56 pm
content: Hi All,I'm interested in the newElectromagnetic Compatibility (EMC 2014/30/EU)Low Voltage (LVD 2014/35/EU)directives going into effect next week, April 20th, 2016.I think for most every consumer, the changes in the directives will not matter, except the language requirements, which would seem to be quite problematic for manufacturers and distributors.According to COMMISSION NOTICE of 5.4.2016 The 'Blue Guide' on the implementation of EU product rules 2016 and the directives themselves:QuoteIs anyone else familiar with this requirement and have any insights to how manufacturers are going to comply? Further, is anyone aware of any member state publishing their language requirements?Thanks.

author: meltTemp
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 14, 2016, 05:21:10 am
content: Hi,Not sure if your problem was related to language issues only or the whole quote, so I answer the quote.I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the directives because (almost) everything is there (as mentioned in the Blue Guide). When it comes to CA (conformity assessment), the use of a notified body is not required. E.g. for EMC:"Article 14 - Conformity assessment procedures for apparatusComplianceof apparatus with the essential requirements set out in Annex Ishall be demonstratedby means of either of the followingconformity assessment procedures:(a) internal production control set out in Annex II;(b) EU type examination that is followed by Conformity to type based on internal production control set out in Annex III. ..."It is even stated in the LVD that "There is no conformity assessment procedure in this Directive which requires the intervention of a notified body.". However, if you don't have required instruments and/or knowhow of the requirements of theharmonised standardsand how comply with them, it's better to use a 3rd party test site for CA. In the end, you are responsible for your product and you have to ensure that your product is compliant. Check the harmonised standards to get a better picture what is needed.When it comes to the technical documentation and DoC, check the directives: ANNEX II & ANNEX IV for EMC, ANNEX III & ANNEX IV for LVD. Everything is there and search engines will give you a lot additional information. In addition, there are guidances for both EMC and LVD Directives:EMC:http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/electrical-engineering/emc-directive/index_en.htmLVD:http://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/electrical-engineering/lvd-directive/index_en.htmLanguage requirements have been there for a long time, e.g. the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC states in Article 8 "(i) to require that it be marked with suitable, clearly worded and easily comprehensible warnings,in the official languages of the Member State in which the product is marketed, on the risks it may present;". The official languages of the Member States can be found here:http://ec.europa.eu/languages/policy/linguistic-diversity/official-languages-eu_en.htm.Usually national legislation gives more specific requirements for this. Note the wordingunless otherwise specified, so, indeed, check specific legislation and to whom you are going to sell your product (b2b or consumers). Yeah, you probably have to reserve a good amount of cash for translation. I did.To summarise, check the directives and regulations, check (and choose) applicable harmonised standards, design and develop AND document your product, test it for compliance and document it, prepare the DoC and affix a CE mark (if required by the directive) and finally sell it.Hope this helps and answers to your question.- meltTemp

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2016, 07:12:28 am
content: I am interested just in the language requirement. Instruction for each product in all 24 languages is not just expensive. Let's toss out a number. Rigol prepares ~300 page user guides for many of their products, which may cost about $5k USD to translate using conventional means, and then multiply that by 24 languages. There are ways to reduce cost, but a company like Rigol may be looking at 20 somewhat unique instruction manuals for their product lines, or a couple million USD. But, the official state language is not the same as what would be considered easily understandable, and that determination was to be made selectively be each member state by April 19th. I have not seen any publication of such, so we assume English is a suitable language.