If you are selling electrotech products in the European Union, there are a number of safety standards, labeling, documentation, and testing requirements that your products must meet. This guide explains what you need to know about the RoHS Directive, Low Voltage Directive, CE marking, technical documentation, and more.
By ensuring that your products comply with all applicable electrotech directives and standards, you can avoid delays in getting your products to market and ensure a smooth customs clearance process.
What is the RoHS Directive?
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of electrotech products. These materials are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
The RoHS Directive is required for all electrotech products placed on the EU market, regardless of where they are manufactured.
Compliance with the RoHS Directive is typically demonstrated through the use of a CE mark on the product.
What is the Low Voltage Directive?
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD), also known as Directive 2014/35/EU, applies to electrotech products that operate at voltages between 50 and 1,000 volts AC, or 75 and 1,500 volts DC. The LVD covers a wide range of products, including electric tools, household appliances, lighting equipment, and more.
In order to bear the CE mark and be placed on the EU market, products covered by the LVD must comply with the directive's requirements. These requirements include a number of safety standards, such as EN 60335 for household appliances and EN 60950 for information technology equipment.
The LVD also requires that products have adequate instructions and warnings to ensure safe use. These must be in the form of a manual or another document that is provided with the product.
What is CE Marking?
CE marking is a mandatory conformity mark for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA includes all EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
CE marking indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and found to meet all the applicable requirements of the relevant EU directives. CE marking also allows products to be sold freely throughout the EEA without the need for further testing or certification.
In order to affix the CE mark to a product, manufacturers must perform a number of self-tests to ensure compliance with all relevant directive requirements. They must also draw up a technical file documenting the product's compliance.
Once the CE mark has been affixed to a product, it cannot be removed without voiding the product's certification.
What is Technical Documentation?
In order for a product to bear the CE mark, manufacturers must prepare technical documentation that demonstrates compliance with all applicable directives and standards. This documentation must include:
A description of the product, including diagrams and photos
A list of the directives and standards that apply to the product
A copy of the product's CE certificate (if applicable)
A declaration of conformity
Instructions and warnings for safe use
The technical documentation must be made available to authorities upon request.
The user manual must be in the language of the country where the product will be sold.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
Products that do not comply with the requirements of the RoHS, LVD, or other relevant directives cannot be sold within the EU. Furthermore, manufacturers of non-compliant products can be subject to fines and other penalties. Visit us at Inspection Company.
Inspexion is here to help you every step, from understanding which directives apply to your product to providing quotes for experienced inspectors to test your products.
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