Starting on 20 April 2016, the new EMC Directive 2014/30/EU becomes effective, replacing the old EMC Directive 2004/108/EC that ceases to be valid on 19 April 2016. No transition period is scheduled. Until 19 April 2016, the old directive must still be used for the declaration of conformity. The new directive must be specified starting on 20 April 2016.
Like other important directives, the directive was adapted to the so-called New Legislative Framework (NLF). Compared to the previous directive, modifications for the economic operators (retailers, importers, manufacturers), in particular, have been harmonized with the NLF and the requirements and tasks have been formulated a lot clearer. To date, only the manufacturer was responsible for the conformity of the apparatus and for the documents proving compliance with the EMC Directive. Now this also applies to retailers and importers. Generally, the documentation for proving compliance with the requirements of the directive has become more extensive. Now, in addition to the current documentation, production data, construction calculations and a risk analysis and risk evaluation must also be provided.
It must be noted that pure signal receivers (e.g. televisions and radios) and devices using a frequency lower than 9 kHz no longer fall under the EMC Directive, but under the new Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU and need a declaration of conformity according to the Radio Equipment Directive by mid-2017.
The manufacturer can save time and effort if he can prove that for his product the applicable harmonized European standards listed in the Official Journal of the European Union have been applied and the tests have been passed. If the harmonized standards cover all possible risks with regard to compliance with the essential requirements of the directive he can save time and effort in analyzing and evaluating the risk. However, the risk analysis as part of the EMC Directive should not be mixed up with the safety-risk analysis required by the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU. The "EMC risk analysis" pertains only to the compliance with the essential requirements of the EMC Directive. We can gladly provide you with more information about the risk analysis for EMC.
The VDE Institute is available for manufacturers to serve as a "Notified Body for EMC", offering its expertise in the area of EMC and radio product testing. The VDE EMC Mark and our test reports can be used as basis for proving compliance with the essential requirements of the EMC Directive.