Keeping Interference at Bay: A Comprehensive Guide to the EMC Directive for Electronic Devices

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So the EMC directive is also known as the Electromagnetic Compatibility directive and it falls under the CE directive.

So, as you know, all electronic equipment emits electrical energy.
In many cases, those pulses of electrical energy interact with one another and can cause interference.

Electromagnetic interference or EMI is one of those annoying things where the operation of a device is disrupted when in the presence of a device which emits electrical energy.

In practical terms, this looks like, for example, your radio’s electrical pulses interacting with the electrical lines nearby.

This interference is also why airplane staff tell us to switch off all Portable Electronic Devices or PEDs during a flight.

Although airplane systems undergo scrupulous testing according to electromagnetic standards, some PED’s may not be subject to the same equipment qualification and certification processes and this could result in EMI which causes turbulence and other complications.

The EMC directive was put into place because most devices these days have electromagnetic emissions.

Within Europe, the EMC regulation is managed mainly through the European Commission's EMC Directive which is EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and for Radio equipment through EMC Directive 2014/53/EU.

If your product falls under one of these directives, you will not be obligated to use a Notified Body unless otherwise required.

The EMC Directive ensures that electronic and electrical equipment does not generate electromagnetic disturbance, or is not affected by it.

There ARE many types of equipment which are excluded from the EMC Directive; however, EMC requirements for most of them are also included in other Directives and regulations.

For example, for medical devices, especially active implantable medical devices or AIMD, the Directive 89/334/EEC applies.

This Directive covers all the EMC requirements related to this specific type of medical device and will ensure that the product is compliant in all aspects related to electromagnetic compatibility.

This includes NOT GENERATING electromagnetic disturbance which could interfere with other electronics, BUT ALSO ensuring that the product has an intrinsic immunity to electromagnetic disturbance and will not be disturbed by the electromagnetic disturbance from OTHER electronics.

You can find all the standards which fall under the EMC Directive on the website of the European Commission.

Now, you already know what I’m going to say… certificates of evidence are better than self-declarations BUT the risk is all up to you.

In the case that you DO want to go the testing route for your electrical or electronic product, you would need to consult with a regulatory expert and an accredited lab who has knowledge of EMC legislation, guidelines and standards.

The lab will determine the testing requirements which are involved depending on the type of product you are trying to sell.

There are over 150 harmonised standards which fall under this directive and they can all be found on the European Commision’s website.

According to the Academy of EMC, the most common EMC standards for a consumer electrical product is:
Conducted immunity and emission
Radiated immunity and emission
Electrostatic Discharge or ESD
Harmonics and Flicker
And Alternating current voltage dips, drops, and interruptions

The technical dossier needs to be laid out according to Annex II of the EMC directive for a product under this scope of the electrical and electronics sector.

Remember that these conformity tests will help strengthen your competitive position in the market, which is a great reason for going through with them.

And that’s it about the EMC directive!