Brussels, 21/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has recently proposed a revision of the 1989 Directive on the electromagnetic compatibility of electrical and electronic equipment. This Directive, known as the EMC directive governs the immunity to interference of equipment such as microwave ovens audio-visual and computers on the EU market. It also governs large-scale installations like central electrical plants and telecommunications. Its provisions have been applied since 1 January 1996. The purpose of this revision is to simplify the regulatory procedures for manufacturers (abolition of some procedures, reduction of costs), while increasing information and documentation on products in order to provide additional means of control for inspection authorities (easier traceability of products). As before, manufacturers will still be able to rely on harmonised European standards for certification of their products and CE marking.
The EMC directive can be characterised by two main demands: the electromagnetic emissions of such equipment: a microwave oven, for instance, must not interfere with the reception of a radio signal. The Directive also governs the immunity to interference of such equipment: a radio alarm clock must not come on if a mobile phone is used nearby. The EMC directive therefore aims to maintain a high level of protection for consumes and industry by regulating electromagnetic pollution and protecting equipment from its effects.
Key features proposed by the Commission mainly focus on simplified conformity procedures. The Directive contains three conformity assessment procedures, depending on the type of equipment in question and whether or not harmonised standards were applicable. Two of these procedures required the mandatory involvement of an independent inspection and verification body. The revised text abolishes this requirement and makes manufacturers solely responsible for establishing the conformity of their products and for CE marking. This does away with some procedures for manufacturers, thus reducing costs, but it also reaffirms their responsibility for establishing conformity. Another modification requires enhanced demands in terms of documentation and information. The manufacturers or their agents will be required to provide inspection authorities with additional means of control, such as clear identification of a product (type, serial number, etc) and indication of the name and address of the manufacturer or his agent and, if necessary, of the importer established in the territory of the European Union. This improved product traceability will make it easier for the authorities to monitor the market. By eliminating products for which it is difficult at the moment to identify the origin, the Commission considers that competition will be on a fairer basis. The proposal calls for establishing a better adapted regulatory stem for permanent installations (for which it is harder to check the conformity of installations of this type. This regime will provide a harmonised regulatory framework. To obtain the proposal paper: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/electr_equipment/emc/revision/en.pdf).