New EMC Directive offers clearer indications

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 17, 2005

The new EMC Directive 2004/108/EC has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and will replace the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC which has been in effect since 1st January 1996.

On 31st December 2004, the new EMC Directive 2004/108/EC was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, replacing the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC which has been in effect since 1st January 1996.

The new regulation encompasses the same objectives as the previous one, adding better definitions of the products that need to comply with the scope of the directive, but also gives a clearer indication of the products excluded.

Also, with more detailed requirements, everything should now be much more understandable for the manufacturer, the buyer or any other third organisation implicated.

The new directive has been written under the SLIM initiative (Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market) of the European Commission that adopted a comprehensive multi-year programme in February 2003 to simplify and update the community legislation.

EMC Directive 2004/108/EC stipulates two major dates for its implementation: first, all equipment already complying with the scope of the previous directive can be bought and sold until the 20th July 2009; and secondly, member states shall adopt and publish the laws, regulations and provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by the 20th July 2007.

The new directive covers both fixed installations and apparatus but excludes all equipment that is inherently benign from an electromagnetic compatibility point of view.

Regarding fixed installations, all machines and networks that may disturb or be disturbed by electromagnetic fields are also included.

Fixed installations can be defined as an assembly of multiple apparatus having the CE marking and aimed at being used permanently in a specific location within the EU, such as electricity and telecommunication networks or complex machinery.

Owing to the nature of fixed installations, placing the CE mark on the equipment and creating a declaration of conformity are not required.

However, requirements for fixed installations include: the use and documentation of good engineering practices; and the documents shall be held available for the relevant national authorities for as long as the fixed installation is in operation.

The directive is applicable to finished apparatus commercially available for the first time on the market, and states that for apparatus able to take different configurations: the EMC assessment shall look at these different configurations determined by the manufacturer who must prepare technical documentation providing proof of the conformity of the apparatus with the requirements of the directive.

The apparatus must now be identified in terms of type, batch and serial number and carry the name and address of the manufacturer or the person placing it on the market.

Also, any declaration of conformity now to be dated and contain reference to the directive, the identification of the equipment and the manufacturer, a dated reference to the standards to be provided in case of compliance claim and the identity and signature of the signatory.