Electromagnetic compatibility

Electric and electronic equipment is always transmitting electromagnetic interference that can disturb other equipment or systems. These disturbances can be slight, momentary functional disorders but they can also lead to functional disability or even to destruction of the equipment.

In 1989 the directive 89/336/EEC for regulations concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC directive) was adopted to introduce protective measures against this problem. The Directive (2004/108/EC) was published in the year 2004 and became applicable on July 20th, 2007. Products which were declared to be in conformity with Directive 89/336/EEC before this date, can still be sold in the market until July 20th, 2009.

According to article 10 of the EMC directive, three conformity assessment procedures are specified:

• Article 10 (1) describes the procedure for devices to which the manufacturer has applied harmonized standards
• Article 10 (2) describes the procedure for devices to which the manufacturer has not applied the standards, or has applied them only in part or could not apply them for absence of standards
• Article 10 (5) describes the specific procedure for devices designed for the transmission of radio-communications.

Conformity assessment procedure according to the EMC directive