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The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
89/336/EEC
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Subject Area |
The Directive applies to virtually all electrical and electronic apparatus, that
is finished products and systems which include electrical and electronic
equipment.
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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.
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| 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 disapplies 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.
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| Latest Developments
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The EMC Test Labs Association will be holding an
interactive workshop, supported by DTI, on the new EMC Directive. This will take
place on 19 January 2005 at the EEF, Broadway Conference Centre, Tothill Street,
London SW1H 9NQ. Further details of the Workshop and how to book a place are
available at the following link:
http://www.emctla.co.uk The European Commission will be holding a workshop
in Brussels on 3 February 2005 dealing with the revised EMC Directive. The
Directive will apply from sometime in mid-2007. The workshop should be of
particular interest to industry and those involved in the conformity assessment
of products.
Information as to how to register online for the workshop is available from
the following web site.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/electr_equipment/emc/revision/workshop.htm
There is no registration fee for the workshop. Attendance will be limited to
approximately 200 people on a first come/first served basis.
To see the Commission’s latest proposed text for the revised Directive, which
takes account of the opinions of the European Parliament and the Council, click
on the link below.
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf/2004/com2004_0446en01.pdf
 (105 kB)
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| Outlook |
The final text of the revised Directive is likely
to be published by the end of 2004.
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| Other useful links |
The STRD links/other sites
page. A list of UK Competent Bodies appointed by the Secretary of State for
Trade and Industry is available from our
downloadable documents page as an Adobe Acrobat document.
A network of regional Compliance Clubs can provide expert advice on how to
comply with the EMC and other New Approach Directives. A list is also available
from our downloadable documents page.
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| Guidance / Further Information |
A comprehensive EMC Product standards
booklet is also obtainable on request or from the
STRD Downloadable Documents page. An EMC Guide to the application of the
Directive is available on request by using any of our contact details below. It
can also be downloaded from the European Commission's
"Enterprise" website.
Further information, including lists of harmonised standards as published
periodically in the Official Journal of the European Communities, is also
available from the
"Enterprise" website.
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| Contact |
Peter Howick E-mail:
emc.emc@dti.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7215 1595
Fax: 020 7215 1529
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