EMC Testing Services

What's New

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• UL joins forces with Elliott Laboratories to provide EMC services to West Coast customers
• Ford, GM and Daimler Chrysler recognize Underwriters laboratories Inc. in Novi Michigan for the latest revisions of new EMC Testing Specifications.
• New Service Feature - Electromagnetic Fields Compliance (EMF)
• New Service Feature - New medical documentation requirements

Ford, GM and Daimler Chrysler recognize Underwriters laboratories Inc. in Novi Michigan for the latest revisions of new EMC Testing Specifications.

Underwriters laboratories Inc. is pleased to report that Ford, GM and Daimler Chrysler have recognized the expanded EMC testing capability available at the Novi, Michigan facility. The added capability supports the newest revisions in Ford and GM and Daimler Chrysler specifications for EMC Testing.

Ford: ES-XW7T-1A278-AC
DCX: DC-10615 and DC-10614
GM: GMW3097

Ford's listing of fully accredited third party test laboratories is available at www.fordemc.com.

GM's list is on the SAE website at http://forums.sae.org/access/dispatch.cgi/tevemc_pf/folderFrame/100004/0/def/7b28

DaimlerChrysler's list may be obtained directly from them at http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom.

New Service Feature - Electromagnetic Fields Compliance (EMF)

The purpose of the new European Standard EN 50366:2003 is to limit the electromagnetic fields produced by electrical household appliances in order to protect human beings, animals and plants.

As requested by the EU Commission in February 2004, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) published a new standard setting requirements for the evaluation and measurement of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and the related operational procedures. The new European Standard EN 50366:2003 “Household and similar electrical appliances, Electromagnetic Field, Methods for Evaluation and Measurement” is listed under the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) and will become mandatory in February 2006.

As a consequence, electrical appliances showing emission levels higher than the ones allowed by the EMF Standard will not be in compliance with the Low Voltage Directive and therefore CE marking will not be possible.

EMF and EMC

EMF should not be confused with EMC or electromagnetic compatibility. Although EMF emissions are included in the field of electromagnetic compatibility, they differ in the type of risks they pose. The risks of electromagnetic fields are the “typical risks” described in the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) as “radiations, toxicity and similar dangers” whereas EMC deals with the electromagnetic interferences generated by devices to other devices sharing the same electromagnetic environment. Some of the effects caused by EMF are irritation of muscles and nerves, shock, burns, increased temperature of tissues, insomnia and even cancer.

How to proceed

In order to avoid the last-minute rush before the deadline, it is advisable to verify the compliance of your products as soon as possible. You can submit your samples to UL for testing according to EN 50336 and the positive testing results will provide the evidence that your product meets the requirements of EN 50336.

Contact a Customer Service Representative to begin testing of your products today.

New Service Feature - New medical documentation requirements

With the publication of the new EMC Standard for Medical Devices, EN 60601-1-2, 2001, manufacturers have the responsibility to ensure compliance of their product with EMC concerns by providing documentation in 3 main areas:

• Appropriate EMC markings on the outside of the equipment.
• Providing appropriate accompanying documentation.
• Technical descriptions from an EMC perspective of the compliance of the product.

UL can help you with this review and provide a findings report that can be used in meeting this requirement. Contact your Customer Service Representative for more information.