EMC Directive requirements
The EMC Directive states the following basic EMC protection requirements:
- a) Equipment must not unduly interfere with other equipment or systems. (Emissions)
- b) Equipment must not be unduly susceptible to external interference. (Immunity)
The Directive was originally brought about to protect broadcast receivers from interference from unwanted signals. The Directive provides some different routes to declaring compliance; these are:
- Testing to Harmonised Standards or
- A Detailed Technical EMC Assessment or
- Mixed EMC Assessment, (a mixture of both)
Information
The new EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) was published in the Official Journal at the end of 2004. The original EMC Directive (89/336/EEC as amended) has been subject to the SLIM (Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market) initiative and changes have been made in light of recommendations put together by the SLIM panel.
The new directive is to be implemented and applied by member states by the 20th July 2007. Compliance with the old directive 89/336/EEC is legally binding until this date. There will be a two year transition period to allow for the introduction of the new requirements and therefore, compliance with 89/336/EEC remains valid until 20th July 2009.