What Requirements Does the EMC Directive Set

EMC Directive and the Manual

    Gavel on product documentation with EU flag background, symbolising European product liability law and compliance.

    It is important that not only your product, but also your manual complies with legislation and regulations. Various standards and directives may include requirements related to the manual.

    In this article, you will read about the scope of the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU) and find an overview of several articles from the directive that relate to documentation. This refers to the revised version from 2018.

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    Table of Contents

    Scope of the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU

    This directive regulates the electromagnetic compatibility of equipment. Its objective is to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market by requiring equipment to meet an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility. The directive applies to equipment as defined in Article 2.

    In certain specific cases, the directive does not apply. These exceptions are listed in Article 1.

    What the Directive States Regarding Documentation

    The EMC Directive 2014/30/EU states, among other things, the following about the manual:

    Note: Always read the full directive to ensure complete understanding and to review all relevant requirements.

    Article 7(5)Manufacturers shall ensure that apparatus which they have placed on the market bear a type, batch or serial number or other element allowing their identification, or, where the size or nature of the apparatus does not allow it, that the required information is provided on the packaging or in a document accompanying the apparatus.
    Article 7(6)Manufacturers shall indicate, on the apparatus, their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, on its packaging or in a document accompanying the apparatus. The address shall indicate a single point at which the manufacturer can be contacted. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities.
    Article 7(7)Manufacturers shall ensure that the apparatus is accompanied by instructions and the information referred to in Article 18 in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Such instructions and information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible.
    Article 9(3)Importers shall indicate on the apparatus their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, on its packaging or in a document accompanying the apparatus. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities.
    Article 9(4)Importers shall ensure that the apparatus is accompanied by instructions and the information referred to in Article 18 in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned.
    Article 10(2)Before making apparatus available on the market distributors shall verify that the apparatus bears the CE marking, that it is accompanied by the required documents and by instructions and the information referred to in Article 18 in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users in the Member State in which the apparatus is to be made available on the market and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 7(5) and (6) and Article 9(3) respectively.
    Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that apparatus is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Annex I, he shall not make the apparatus available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the apparatus presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities.
    Article 17(1)The CE marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the apparatus or to its data plate. Where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the apparatus, it shall be affixed to the packaging and to the accompanying documents.

    For the remaining points, please contact Manualise.

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