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EuropeOVERVIEW OVERVIEWThe European Union (EU) is comprised of 27 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Three additional European member countries that complete the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) follow the legislation established in the EU, however, are not voting members in the Union as they have chosen to retain their sovereignty. The European Union's compliance system is primarily driven by directives, which are binding pieces of EU legislation that Member States are legally obligated to implement into their own legal systems. Directives were established to strengthen the economy of the EU by ensuring the free movement of products and services between Member States and promoting technical harmonization. Hundreds of directives exist to legislate requirements in areas ranging from sanitation to agriculture. For specified product categories, as of 1993, the EU has established a uniform marking system known as the CE Marking system, the requirements of which are given in "New Approach Directives". New Approach Directives are different from other directives in that they were written in a modular format and legislate requirements for design, production and application of the CE Marking. The CE Marking is applied to products that comply with all applicable directives, one or more of which must be a New Approach Directive. If more than one relevant New Approach Directive is in its transition period, application of the CE Marking implies compliance with only those directives that the manufacturer has chosen to apply. The Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC)
In general the Directive covers both end products and electrical equipment intended to be incorporated into other equipment. It does not, however, apply to basic components whose safety depends largely on how they are incorporated into the end product. The Directive lists principal elements of safety for electrical equipment covered by the directive. The safety objectives cover a variety of aspects of the equipment, including fire, electrical shock, and mechanical safety. Products are presumed to conform with the principal elements when the equipment has been manufactured in accordance with technical standards, which are one of the following:
The presumption of conformity provided by harmonized standards arises at the moment of national publication of standards. The listing in the Official Journal of the European Community is only for information. Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (89/336/EC)
On December 31, 2004, the European Union published the new version of the EMC Directive - 2004/108/EC. As of January 20, 2007, Member States must adopt the new version. The transition period for new products placed on the market after this date lasts only until July 20, 2007. During this transition period either the new or old version can be applied. Products placed on the market prior to January 20, 2007 have until July 20, 2009, to comply. The Directive applies to apparatus liable to cause electromagnetic disturbance or the performance of which is likely to be affected by such disturbance. Presumption of conformity with the essential protection requirements of the Directive shall be given in the case of products that comply with:
The three sources of these harmonized standards are CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), CEN (the European Committee for Standardization), and ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (2004/108/EC)
As of January 20, 2007, Member States must adopt this new version. The transition period for new products placed on the market after this date lasts only until July 20, 2007. During this transition period either the new or old version can be applied. Products placed on the market prior to January 20, 2007 have until July 20, 2009, to comply. This Directive repeals Directive 89/336/EEC (Old Version) as of July 20, 2007. The Directive applies to equipment liable to cause electromagnetic disturbance or the performance of which is likely to be affected by such disturbance. Presumption of conformity with the essential protection requirements in Annex I of the Directive shall be given in the case of equipment which comply with:
The three sources of these harmonized standards are CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), CEN (the European Committee for Standardization), and ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute). RADIO EQUIPMENT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE (1999/5/EC)
The Directive applies to all telecommunications terminal equipment (product, or relevant component, enabling communication which is intended to be connected, directly or indirectly, to public telecommunications networks) and radio equipment (product, or relevant component, capable of communications by means of the emissions and/or reception of radio waves). Medical devices and active implantable medical devices that incorporate such devices are also governed by this Directive, but not to the exclusion of the medical device directive (93/42/EEC) and active implantable medical device directive (90/385/EEC). Components and separate technical units of vehicles are covered by this Directive as well as the vehicle electromagnetic interference directive (72/245/EC adopted by 95/54/EC - automotive EMC directive) or two or three wheel motor vehicle type approval directive (92/61/EC). Products are divided into one of two classes. Class 1 equipment can be put into service in the whole European Union. Class 2 applies to radio equipment using non-harmonized frequency bands to transmit and is subject to some form of restrictions. The intent of the alert sign is to draw the attention of market surveillance authorities and consumers to identify this Class 2 equipment. Products are presumed to conform to the principal elements when the equipment has been manufactured in accordance with technical standards, which are one of the following: European standards (EN), which are referred to as Harmonized Standards, drawn up by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Standards published in the Official Journal of the European Community. UL SERVICES SUPPORTING CE MARKING
EUROPEAN GLOBAL CERTIFICATIONSYou need only contact one local person to have your needs for testing and certification on the global market met. UL has offices and departments all over the world ready to help you market your products in as many markets as possible. Our principle is "Global Certification Locally." There are a variety of programs, marks and certification schemes documented below which may fit your needs.
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND UL'S PARTICIPATIONUL participates in many certification schemes that are designed and intended for the free flow exchange of test data between private institutions and organizations. These schemes facilitate trade and crossing of many borders within and outside of the EU. The CB Scheme - UL participates in many categories of the global CB Scheme for the mutual acceptance of test results between signatory countries, avoiding the need for multiple tests to obtain other safety marks worldwide. One set of tests at UL to IEC Standards, with or without national deviations, results in a report and certificate that can be used as an international passport into many countries. CENELEC Certification Agreement (CCA Agreement) - UL fully supports this European reciprocal agreement for the mutual acceptance of test results between European signatory bodies, avoiding the need for multiple tests to EN's to obtain other European national safety marks. The client must reside in CCA signatory countries and final production, final assembly and quality control must take place in one these countries. For further informationShould you have questions about UL's Market Access Solutions in Europe, require additional information, or wish to pursue any of these services, please contact us.
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The Low Voltage Directive establishes requirements for the electrical safety of electro-technical products. It is intended to ensure that electrical equipment placed on the European market has been constructed in accordance with good engineering practice and does not endanger the safety of persons, domestic animals or property when properly installed, maintained and used in the intended application. Products falling under the scope of the Directive are required to bear a CE Marking after the manufacturer has verified full compliance with all the provisions in the Directive. 
This Directive establishes requirements for radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment as well as some apparatus that incorporate them. Products falling under the scope of the Directive are required to bear a CE Marking after the manufacturer has verified full compliance with all the provisions in the Directive. Class 2 radio equipment must also bear the alert sign.
