One of the most common questions I get when talking about certifications and selling devices in the European Union is:

— “Ignacio, how do I know which requirements apply to my device?”

To be fair, the information out there is often blurry—if not outright contradictory and confusing.

As a manufacturer, you should focus on the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

Navigating the RED directive

Why is it needed?

The Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU) regulates the placement of radio equipment on the European market. It ensures that electronic devices:

• Do not interfere with other devices,
• Operate safely, and
• Use the radio spectrum efficiently.

In our daily lives, this all seems natural, right? Your mobile phone doesn’t interfere with your washing machine or radio, and the batteries in your TV remote don’t explode when you turn on Netflix.

But think about it…

• We’re putting Bluetooth into toothbrushes.
• The spectrum is busier than ever.
• We have ten times more battery-powered devices than we did as kids. (Back then, the only battery I cared about was the one for my remote-controlled car.)

And we want everything to work smoothly.

Manufacturers, we’ve got work to do.

(Rolling up sleeves)

Today, let’s dig into the RED directive and learn how to place compliant products on the EU market.

Who needs the RED directive?

All manufacturers and importers placing radio devices on the European market.

— What is a radio device?

— Anything with radio communication.

Examples:

• WiFi LTE Router = radio device
• Power supply + WiFi = radio device
• Toothbrush + Bluetooth = radio device

And yes, I included importers. That’s right, I’m talking to you—the person buying gadgets in China and selling them in Europe. You are responsible for ensuring compliance, not the small shop owner thousands of kilometers away.

Duties as a manufacturer

You have all the rights of making a profitable business out of selling products in the market. But, before counting the cash, you need to:

• Ensure that your device is compliant with essential requirements
• Conduct risk assessments and perform tests to meet EMC and spectrum requirements.
• Provide a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and technical documentation.
• Retain records of conformity assessments and technical files for many years.
• Label products with contact details, model numbers, and CE marks.

A bunch of homework, uh?

No worries, we will walk together. Today it is the introduction.

Become a good manufacturer

A bad manufacturer keeps doing things as if the regulations do not exist or as if the regulations do not evolve (”We have done it always in this way”). Good manufacturers pave their way to compliance at the moment they decide to build a new product.

Be a good manufacturer

How?

Manage the whole project considering the legal requirements

Assign resources from the requirements phase

Keep checklists and prepare for the unexpected

Stay vigilant

What is next?

We will review each of the steps to become a good manufacturer. You will have a clear vision on what to do (and what not to do) when selling your next product.

• Grab the last guide about Near Field Probes: fundamentals, types and uses.
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Happy weekend

Ignacio