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European Standard: EN (CE)

EN (European Norm)

EC Directives and CE Marking

The member countries of the European Union (EU), which was established in 1993, expected that the laws, regulations, and standards which had been imposed in individual countries would inhibit the free distribution of products in the EU region after unification. They set down common rules called "directives" to eliminate such barriers, encourage legal agreement among the member countries, and invigorate the European economy.
Conformity to the directives of the "New Approach" directives in EC Directives is approved only after the product satisfies the requirements of all applicable directives. Then, the product can carry the CE Mark. The major directives included in the "New Approach" directives are listed later in this page.

As a concrete step toward the implementation of the EC Directives, the EN standards were established as unified standards in Europe. Since the EC Directives do not stipulate specific technical criteria, CE Marking is approved when a product conforms to the harmonized standard of the applicable directive. The harmonized standards are publicized in the European Community Official Gazzettes.
The establishment, revision, and abolition of EN standards in the fields of electricity and electronics are made by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), and those in the other fields are made by CEN (European Committee for Standardization). The EN standards are basically harmonized with the IEC or ISO Standards.

For details of the EN standards, visit the following web site:

CEN:
http://www.cenorm.be/cenorm/index.htm
CENELEC: http://www.cenelec.org/Cenelec/Homepage.htm

Machinery Directive (98/37/EC)

The Machinery Directive deals with "machinery", as well as "safety components" stipulated in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive. Machinery Directive defines "machinery" as follows:

	An assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves. It consists of actuators, control units and power supply units.
	A group of machines adjusted and controlled to achieve one function as a whole.
	Replaceable parts which change the function of a machine.

Seventeen types of machines and five types of safety components listed in Annex IV must undergo inspection by a Notified Body in Europe. Some products are required to conform to not only the Machinery Directive but also other directives such as EMC Directive and Low-voltage Directive described below.

For details of the Machinery Directive, visit the following web site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise
/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/machines.html

EMC Directive (89/336/EEC, 2004/108/EC)

This EMC Directive applies to equipment which may cause electromagnetic interference or which may be affected by electromagnetic interference. Most electrical appliances are considered to be the subjects to this directive. CE Marking based on the EMC Directive has been mandatory since 1996. This directive wields a large influence over companies exporting products to Europe.
EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility. It requires preventive measures against emission (EMI: Electromagnetic Interference) as well as measures for immunity (EMS: Electromagnetic Susceptibility).

As of December 31, 2004, a new EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) was publicized. Although the old EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) will be abolished on July 20, 2007, the conformity to the old EMC Directive remains effective as late as July 20, 2009.

For details of the EMC Directive, visit the following web site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise
/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/emc.html

Low-voltage Directive (73/23/EEC)

Low-voltage Directive applies to electrical appliances designed for use with an input/output voltage rating of 50 to 1,000 VAC or 75 to 1,500 VDC. CE Marking based on the Low-voltage Directive has become mandatory since 1997. Together with the EMC Directive, this directive wields a large influence over companies exporting products to Europe.

The Low-voltage Directive is currently under revision. The lower limits in the voltage conditions above (50 VAC and 75 VDC) are expected to be deleted.

For details of the Low-voltage Directive, visit the following web site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise
/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/lvd.html

R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC)

The R&TTE Directive went into effect in 1999 and concerns
radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment (R&TTE)
used in Europe. Specifically, it is applied to all radio equipment
and equipment intended to be connected to public telecommunication networks.
As for radio equipment which uses frequencies other than those harmonized in Europe,
the judgment regarding conformity to R&TTE Directive requires the involvement of a Notified Body.
R&TTE Directive includes the requirements of the EMC Directive and the Low-voltage Directive.

For details of the R&TTE Directive, visit the following web site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise
/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/radiotte.html

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