Guide for the EMCD | Directive 2014/30/EU

EC December 2018

These guidelines are intended to be a manual for all parties directly or indirectly affected by the “new” Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU (EMCD).

This Guide should always be read in conjunction with the 'Blue Guide' on the implementation of EU product rules. Moreover, other more specific guidance or documents might be issued by the Commission services, EMC Working Party or EMC ADCO providing guidance or information on specific issues or items, for example:

-Supplementary Guidance on the LVD/EMCD/RED (combined equipment);
-National language requirements for products covered by the EMCD.

The purpose of this Guide is to give guidance on certain matters and procedures of the EMCD. This version replaces the previous version of March 2018.

The new EMCD (Directive 2014/30/EU (EMCD) repeals and replaces the old EMCD (Directive 2004/108/EC). It maintains the same objectives - to guarantee the free movement of equipment and to create an acceptable electromagnetic environment in the Union territory.

The main objective of the EMCD is thus to regulate the electromagnetic compatibility of equipment. In order to achieve this objective, provisions have been put in place so that:

- equipment shall comply with the requirements of the EMCD when it is made available on the market and/or put into service when properly installed, maintained and used for its intended purpose;
- the application of good engineering practice is required for fixed installations, with the possibility for the competent authorities of Member States to request evidence of compliance of the fixed installation, and, when appropriate, initiate an evaluation if non-compliances are established.

After 2010, the Blue Guide was updated to the NLF. The NLF is a flexible regulatory framework for the marketing of products. In 2014 a set of Directives (including the new EMCD and the new LVD) were aligned according to the NLF. Also in 2014, the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) entered into force and is applicable as of 13 June 2016, subject to one year transitional period (ended on 12 June 2017).

The EMCD is applicable as of 20 April 2016.

The main changes in the new EMCD (Directive 2014/30/EU), as compared to the old EMCD (Directive 2004/108/EC), relate with the alignment with the new legislative framework, Standardisation Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and Article 291 of the TFEU (Implementing Acts).

The essential requirements have not been modified and therefore the substance of the harmonised standards for apparatus is not affected due to the new EMCD.

The scope remains mainly the same, compared to the old EMCD. The new EMCD introduces only a new exception on Custom built evaluation kits (see section 1.4.5).

However, the scope of the EMCD has been indirectly affected and modified due to the new RED, which has repealed and replaced the R&TTED. The new RED, compared to the R&TTED, has introduced some modifications (for more details, see
section 1.4.2.1 and Annex 4 of this Guide). As a result, equipment that was covered by the R&TTED, but is not covered by the RED, is no longer excluded from the EMCD and equipment which was not covered by the R&TTED, but it is covered by the RED, is now excluded from the EMCD.

This Guide has been structured in a logical way suitable for users who need to ensure that their equipment complies with the EMCD. It is divided into the following Chapters:

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European Commission
Final, 19 December 2018

Collegati: