The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive has been around now for over a decade but it is worth reminding its importance for the design and testing of electrical and electronic equipment. The following are notes by the DTI:
Subject Area:
The Directive applies to virtually all electrical and electronic apparatus, that is finished products and systems which include electrical and electronic equipment.
Intention of Legislation:
To remove barriers to trade within the EEA whilst ensuring that products do not cause excessive electromagnetic interference or are adversely affected by it.
Brief History:
The EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) was adopted on 3 May 1989 and came into force on 1 January 1992. An amending Directive (92/31/EEC) adopted on 28 April 1992 introduced a transitional period which ended on 31 December 1995. Both the original and amending Directives were transposed into UK Law by the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations Statutory Instrument SI 1992/2372, which came into force on 28 October 1992.
Following the end of the transitional period, all electrical and electronic apparatus marketed in the UK, including imports, have been required to satisfy the requirements of the Directive, through the UK Regulations, and carry CE Marking.
SI 1992/2372 has been amended by SI1994/3080 which implements the CE Marking Directive and by SI1995/3180 which dis-applies the 1992 Regulations in respect of vehicles, components and separate technical units.
In 1998 the EMC Directive was the subject of a review as part of the European Commission's SLIM exercise. This resulted in a number of recommendations for changes to the Directive to improve its clarity. Following the review two panels were set up. The first, called the EMC SLIM Working Group, was established by the European Commission with the task of proposing a revised EMC Directive. The second, known as the Standards Review Panel, was set up under the auspices of CENELEC to carry out a strategic review of EMC standards.
Recent Developments:
The final meeting of the SLIM Working Group took place in Brussels on 6/7 March 2001. Discussions on the draft directive included the essential requirements, scope and definitions, use of harmonised standards, conformity assessment procedures, the treatment of fixed installations, and the inter-relationship with the R&TTE Directive.
The European Commission has made available the latest revised draft of the Directive, 2000.8, which takes into account comments made both before and during the latest SLIM Working Group. This is available from the Commission's website dealing with the review of the EMC Directive. Previous versions of the draft are also available from the same site.
Outlook:
The proposed text of the revised EMC Directive should be agreed by the Commission during 2002. It will then be submitted to the European Parliament and Council.
Contact:
DTI
Tel: 020 7215 1595
Fax: 020 7215 1529
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.dti.gov.uk