Global Market Access: European Union

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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
​Voltage 230V
​Frequency 50Hz
​Manual Language Various languages depending on country
​Plug Type Various types depending on country

European Economic Area (EEA) countries*

EU COUNTRIES
​Austria ​Czech Republic ​Germany ​Latvia
​Poland ​Spain ​Belgium ​Denmark
​Greece ​Lithuania ​Portugal ​Sweden
​Bulgaria ​Estonia ​Hungary ​Luxembourg
​Romania ​United Kingdom*** ​Croatia ​Finland
​Ireland ​Malta ​Slovakia ​Cyprus
​France ​Italy ​Netherlands ​Slovenia
EFTA COUNTRIES
​Iceland ​Liechtenstein ​Norway ​Switzerland**
* The EU has a relationship with the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) member countries through the Agreement of the EEA. The EEA enables EFTA to participate in the EU Single Market.
** Although Switzerland is currently not part of EEA, it has a set of bilateral agreements with the EU. Thus, the proof of the overall safety of a product is identical to that of the EU.
*** UK has a projected exit from the EU on 31 Jan. 2020. This change may affect local requirements or regulations.

EU Conformity Requirements

CATEGORIES

Electrical Safety

REGULATORY AGENCY

European Commission (EC)

REGULATIONS

  • CE marking1, according to EU Directives, is mandatory.
  • DoC is sufficient but certification is recommended for marketing.
  • Product safety testing is required.
  • Compliance with European EN standards.

GUIDELINES

CE marking procedure:

  • Identify the directives that apply to the product. If more than one applies, all must be complied with.
  • Determine the extent to which the product complies with the requirements of the applicable directive(s).
  • Choose the conformity assessment procedure2 based on the directive for your product.
  1. CE marking is not a certification, approval or quality mark, but a manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the essential requirements of the respective directives. Most EU Directives require CE marking.
  2. Conformity Assessment Procedure options for products with minimal risk include DoC while products with greater risks may require tests, audits or additional certificates from a Notified Body.

EMC

REGULATORY AGENCY

EC

REGULATIONS

  • CE marking according to EMC Directive.

GUIDELINES

CE marking procedure:

  • Identify the directives that apply to the product. If more than one applies, all must be complied with.
  • Determine the extent to which the product complies with the requirements of the applicable directive(s).
  • Choose the conformity assessment procedure2 based on the directive for your product.
  1. CE marking is not a certification, approval or quality mark, but a manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the essential requirements of the respective directives. Most EU Directives require CE marking.
  2. Conformity Assessment Procedure options for products with minimal risk include DoC while products with greater risks may require tests, audits or additional certificates from a Notified Body.

Telecom & wireless

REGULATORY AGENCY

EC

REGULATIONS

  • CE marking according to telecom and wireless directives.
  • DoC is sufficient but certification is recommended for marketing; but where there is lack of harmonized standards, it is necessary for manufacturers to engage a Notified Body3.
  1. Notified bodies are organisations that have been accredited by EU Member States to serve as independent test laboratories to access whether products meet the requirements of product directives.
    They must have the necessary qualifications to meet the testing requirements set forth in the directives.

GUIDELINES

CE marking procedure:

  • Select the applicable product standards and test methods for your product and select an independent laboratory.
  • Compile the technical documentation for your product in order to prove that your product is in compliance with the applicable directive.
  • Prepare a DoC declaring that the product fulfils the requirements of the applicable directive(s) with the legally binding signature of the manufacturer.
  • After certification from the Notified Body has been granted, affix the CE mark to your product. There are specific rules to adhere to in CE marking.

Applicable Product Categories

Product categories requiring CE marking include:

  • Cableway equipment
  • Gas appliances
  • Telecommunications equipment
  • Electrical products
  • Medical devices
  • Toys

A full list of product categories may be found at www.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp

Product groups with regulations according to the ErP Directive include:

  • Circulators
  • External power supplies
  • Simple set-top boxes
  • Consumer electronics (televisions)
  • Household refrigerating appliances
  • Standby and off-mode losses
  • Electric motors
  • Non-directional household lamps
  • Tertiary sector lighting

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

5 product groups of household appliances with “rescaled” labels:
1) Dishwashers;
2) Electronic displays, including televisions monitors and digital signage displays;
3) Lamps;
4) Refrigerators, including wine storage fridges;
5) Washing machines and washer-driers.

Testing Partners Solutions

Testing Partners has the experience and capability to support manufacturers in attaining compliance with EU4 (and individual country) requirements and obtaining the necessary approval.

The Testing Partners family is a Notified Body with the expertise and capability to test your product to a large variety of Directives. Testing Partners can provide:

  • Expert opinions in the compliance of CE marking requirements
  • Test reports to support Technical File documentation
  • CE marking
  • Certification of Conformity5 for safety, EMC, energy efficiency, RoHS & WEEE and applicable standards
  1. EU Directives are the minimum requirements that manufacturers must meet for products to enter the EU. However, individual country requirements may also be applicable.
  2. In addition to CE marking, which is simply a symbol for trade with the assumption of conformity, Testing Partners Marks are a certification of compliance with European (EN) standards.

Environmental

REGULATORY AGENCY

EC

REGULATIONS

Energy efficiency:

  • The Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive has repealed the Energy-using Products (EuP) Directive, extending the scope of eco-design requirements to all ErPs.
  • The EC is still reviewing its effectiveness. For product categories with regulations in force, CE marking applies.
  • New energy efficiency labels adopted for 6 product groups. 5 product groups of household appliances with “rescaled” labels. A new labelling product group for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function used in shops and vending machines. These new labels will be visible for European consumers in physical stores and on-line as of March 1st 2021.

RoHS & WEEE:

  • RoHS is a CE marking directive. Even though WEEE is not a CE marking directive, products must comply with the RoHS and WEEE Directives where applicable. Manufacturers must register compliance in target countries.
  1. Notified bodies are organisations that have been accredited by EU Member States to serve as independent test laboratories to access whether products meet the requirements of product directives.
    They must have the necessary qualifications to meet the testing requirements set forth in the directives.

GUIDELINES

CE marking procedure:

  • Select the applicable product standards and test methods for your product and select an independent laboratory.
  • Compile the technical documentation for your product in order to prove that your product is in compliance with the applicable directive.
  • Prepare a DoC declaring that the product fulfils the requirements of the applicable directive(s) with the legally binding signature of the manufacturer.
  • After certification from the Notified Body has been granted, affix the CE mark to your product. There are specific rules to adhere to in CE marking.

Applicable Product Categories

Product categories requiring CE marking include:

  • Cableway equipment
  • Gas appliances
  • Telecommunications equipment
  • Electrical products
  • Medical devices
  • Toys

A full list of product categories may be found at www.newapproach.org/Directives/DirectiveList.asp

Product groups with regulations according to the ErP Directive include:

  • Circulators
  • External power supplies
  • Simple set-top boxes
  • Consumer electronics (televisions)
  • Household refrigerating appliances
  • Standby and off-mode losses
  • Electric motors
  • Non-directional household lamps
  • Tertiary sector lighting

To determine if a particular product is subject to the above regulations, please contact us.

5 product groups of household appliances with “rescaled” labels:
1) Dishwashers;
2) Electronic displays, including televisions monitors and digital signage displays;
3) Lamps;
4) Refrigerators, including wine storage fridges;
5) Washing machines and washer-driers.

Testing Partners Solutions

Testing Partners has the experience and capability to support manufacturers in attaining compliance with EU4 (and individual country) requirements and obtaining the necessary approval.

The Testing Partners family is a Notified Body with the expertise and capability to test your product to a large variety of Directives. Testing Partners can provide:

  • Expert opinions in the compliance of CE marking requirements
  • Test reports to support Technical File documentation
  • CE marking
  • Certification of Conformity5 for safety, EMC, energy efficiency, RoHS & WEEE and applicable standards
  1. EU Directives are the minimum requirements that manufacturers must meet for products to enter the EU. However, individual country requirements may also be applicable.
  2. In addition to CE marking, which is simply a symbol for trade with the assumption of conformity, Testing Partners Marks are a certification of compliance with European (EN) standards.

Regulatory News for European Union

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