R & TTE 1999/5/EC Europe

Introduction to Certification

Regarding wireless remote control products and communication products, they must comply with the R&TTE Directive (Radio and Communication Terminal Directive) -1999/5/EC.

 

The products covered by the R&TTE Directive are:

Short-range wireless remote control products (SRD) such as: remote control toy cars, remote control alarm systems, remote control doorbells, remote control switches, remote control mice, keyboards, etc.

Professional radio remote control products (PMR) For example: professional wireless walkie-talkies, wireless microphones, etc.

Corded telephone, fax, MODEM, answering machine, small switchboard (PABX)

Cordless phone CTO, CT1, CT1+...

ISDN (Digital Telephone Products)

DECT (Enhanced Digital Cordless Telephone)

GSM, CDMA...

Bluetooth products For example: Bluetooth headsets.

 

For radio and communication terminal products, testing and certification include:

Electromagnetic compatibility test EMC

Safety test LVD (in the new directive, this test is also required for battery input RF products)

According to European ETSI standard for radio communication equipment test (RF test)

Information Announcement of European Permitted Spectrum (Notification)

CTR (TBR) test

Electrical safety and health protection test (SAR evaluation)

 

Regulations for wireless products entering the Eastern European market

Since May 1, 2004, the European Community has added 10 member states, including Malta, Slovenia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Therefore, the R&TTE directive The effectiveness will be extended to these new Member States. Before communication terminal equipment and wireless products can be legally sold in these countries, they must be tested and approved according to the R&TTE directive, and they must also have the CE-mark.

 

When wireless products are to be sold in the European Community member countries, certain details must be considered. Since the EU member states have developed independently in history, the frequency bands opened by each country may be different, so in the EU area, some frequency bands still need to be unified. Fortunately, at the same time, there are many frequency bands that have been hormonised in the old EU member states. However, those wireless products that are clearly intended to be used outside the harmonised frequency band (the so-called Class 2-equipment) must pass the prescribed filing procedures. After filing, the equipment wholesaler (or manufacturer) informs the frequency management authority of the member country that the product intends to be marketed in that country. The competent authority has 4 weeks to raise an objection. If there is no objection during this period, it means that the product can be marketed in these countries. The product, packaging and documentation attached to the product must clearly state the operating restrictions. In addition, CE-mark and Alert-Symbol must be attached to the product and packaging.

 

The enlargement of the European Union has had a great impact on wireless products. Because some frequency bands were harmonised in the old European Union (before May 1, 2004), but now they may lose their harmonic characteristics, because these frequency bands may be used for other purposes (such as military, Police channel). Unfortunately, as of now, there is no solution to these problems.

 

The European Commission’s Enterprise Directorate-General recommends that the current product classification be used as the benchmark for product listing. That is, according to the law, the first class of products (Class 1-equipment) can be sold in the markets of all EU member states without any additional notice. On the other hand, Class 2-equipment products need to go through a filing procedure before they can be sold on the market. The responsible manufacturer intending to sell the second-class wireless products in the market of the new member country must notify each relevant frequency authority, that is, the notification procedure stipulated by the R&TTE directive. If the competent authority has no objection within the specified four weeks, the product can be introduced into the local market. But if there is an objection, the European Commission’s Enterprise Directorate-General will require the same information to review the product to ensure that the problem can be resolved as soon as possible.

 

The European Union’s Enterprise Directorate-General will open a web page in June to answer wireless classification questions in a timely manner. In the next few months, communication products and wireless products are bound to encounter some obstacles when entering the European market. The authorities of the European Commission are aware of these difficulties and promise to provide necessary assistance to these cases in an unbureaucratic and rapid manner.

  

The portal www.ero.dk of the European Ministry of Communications provides complete information on the harmonized frequency bands and the first category of products in the European Union. Its professionals are happy to provide services for your products to enter the European market, just like other regional markets throughout the world.