What Requirements Does the Radio Equipment Directive Set

Radio Equipment 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 Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU) and find an overview of several articles from the directive that relate to documentation.

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    Table of Contents

    Scope of Directive 2014/53/EU for Radio Equipment

    Directive 2014/53/EU replaces the R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC).

    The directive applies to:

    “an electrical or electronic product, which intentionally emits and/or receives radio waves for the purpose of radio communication and/or radiodetermination, or an electrical or electronic product which must be completed with an accessory, such as antenna, so as to intentionally emit and/or receive radio waves for the purpose of radio communication and/or radiodetermination”

    The directive no longer applies to telecommunications terminal equipment (TTE). Directive 2008/63/EC on competition in the markets for telecommunications terminal equipment governs TTE. Radio equipment within the scope of this directive does not fall under the Low Voltage Directive.

    Examples of products covered by Directive 2014/53/EU include:

    • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth equipment (routers, access points, wireless adapters) 
    • Wireless headphones and earbuds 

    What the Directive States Regarding Documentation

    The Radio Equipment Directive 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.

    Artikel 10(3)Manufacturers shall draw up the technical documentation referred to in Article 21 and carry out the relevant conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 or have it carried out.Where compliance of radio equipment with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated by that conformity assessment procedure, manufacturers shall draw up an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking.
    Artikel 10(6)Manufacturers shall ensure that radio equipment which they have placed on the market bears a type, batch or serial number or other element allowing its identification, or, where the size or nature of the radio equipment does not allow it, that the required information is provided on the packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment.
    Artikel 10(7)Manufacturers shall indicate on the radio equipment their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where the size or nature of radio equipment does not allow it, on its packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. 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.
    Artikel 10(8)Manufacturers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Instructions shall include the information required to use radio equipment in accordance with its intended use. Such information shall include, where applicable, a description of accessories and components, including software, which allow the radio equipment to operate as intended. Such instructions and safety information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible.
    The following information shall also be included in the case of radio equipment intentionally emitting radio waves:
    a) frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates;
    b) maximum radio-frequency power transmitted in the frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates.
    Artikel 10(9)Manufacturers shall ensure that each item of radio equipment is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity or by a simplified EU declaration of conformity. Where a simplified EU declaration of conformity is provided, it shall contain the exact internet address where the full text of the EU declaration of conformity can be obtained.
    Artikel 10(12)Manufacturers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the radio equipment with this Directive, in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have placed on the market.
    Artikel 12(3)Importers shall indicate on the radio equipment 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 radio equipment. This includes cases where the size of radio equipment does not allow it, or where importers would have to open the packaging in order to indicate their name and address on the radio equipment. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities.
    Artikel 12(4)Importers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned.

    For the remaining points, please contact Manualise.

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