Introduction to EU RED Certification

Directive 1999/5/EC has been implemented for many years, and many places cannot meet the requirements of existing products. In fact, the EU has already started drafting a new directive in 2007, but the progress was not so fast, so a draft was submitted to the European Commission in 2011. Finally, on May 22, 2014, the EU officially announced the new version of the wireless device directive RED 2014/53/EU. This directive is based on the EU's new CE framework resolution 768/2008/EC. RED 2014/53/EU replaces the original EU wireless device directive R&TTE-D 1999/5/EC. There is a two-year transition period from the official announcement of the new directive by the EU and its entry into force. From June 13, 2016, the original R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC will be abolished, and products that have been evaluated according to the old directive can continue to be sold until June 13, 2017. After June 13, 2017, only wireless devices evaluated in accordance with the new RED 2014/53/EU are allowed to be sold in the EU market. The purpose of the new directive is to clarify the scope of spectrum use, improve the effectiveness of spectrum use, and make it easier for member states to enforce regulations and conduct market monitoring.

Before wireless products can be legally sold in EU countries, they must be tested and approved in accordance with the RED directive and must also have a CE-mark. Wireless remote control products must comply with the requirements of the RED directive RED 2014/53/EU.

RED certification scope

1. Short-range wireless remote control products (SRD) such as remote control toy cars, remote alarm systems, remote doorbells, remote switches, remote mouse, keyboards, etc.;

2. Professional radio remote control products (PMR) such as professional wireless intercoms, wireless microphones, etc.;

3. Wireless phones CTO, CT1, CT1;

4. ISDN (digital telephone products);

5. DECT (enhanced digital wireless telephone);

6. Mobile phone GSM, CDMA testing;

7. Bluetooth products such as Bluetooth headsets;

8. Inductive data transmission equipment with an operating frequency of <9 kHz;

9. Wireless broadcast receiver equipment.

The difference between RED certification and the old version of R&TTE

1. The RED product scope only includes wireless communication and wireless identification equipment (such as RFID, radar, motion detection, etc.). RF devices that are not used for communication or identification will be controlled by the EMC Directive and the LVD Directive;

2. Wired communication terminal equipment (TTE) has been removed, so the RED Directive is only used for wireless products;

3. Wireless broadcast receivers are now included in the scope of the RED Directive (previously covered by the EMC Directive and the LVD Directive);

4. The lower limit of the frequency covered by the directive has been cancelled (previously the control starting frequency of R&TTE was 9 kHz), while the upper limit is still 3000 GHz;

5. The evaluation opinion of the notified body has now been replaced by the "Type Examination Certificate";

6. Manufacturers can only use the CE mark with the notified body number (full quality assurance-Type H) after their quality system has been evaluated by the notified body;

7. The requirement for Class II equipment to notify the spectrum agencies of various countries is no longer required;

8. The identification (warning number) of Class II equipment is no longer required, but the warning of restricted use in some countries still needs to appear on the product packaging;

9. The CE mark is no longer required in the user manual, but the frequency band and transmission power used by the radio frequency must be indicated in the manual;

10. Kits for personal evaluation are no longer regulated (ie, RED certification is not required);

11. The new directive requires the use of a unified charger;

12. The address and contact information of the manufacturer and importer must appear on the device, and can appear in the user manual when the device is too small.

These existing changes and other future changes will affect your company's product certification this year and in the next few years, so you must start to take the new directive into account in the design and marketing of your products, especially for products newly added to the directive, such as:

Wireless broadcast receiver equipment;

Inductive data transmission equipment with an operating frequency of <9 kHz.

According to the new EU Framework Decision 768/2008/EC, the RED Directive also clearly defines the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, distributors and EU representatives. The name and contact address of the manufacturer and importer must be marked on the product or in the accompanying manual.

RED certification test items

1. Electromagnetic compatibility test (EMC test);

2. Safety test LVD (the new directive also requires this test for RF products with battery input);

3. Radio communication equipment test (RF test) according to European ETSI standards;

4. Information notification on European permitted spectrum;

5. CTR (TBR) test;

6. Electrical safety and health protection test (SAR evaluation).

Materials required for RED certification

1. User manual;

2. Circuit schematic diagram;

3. Block diagram (also called module function diagram);

4. Circuit routing diagram (PCB LAYOUT);

5. Circuit position diagram (PCB placement);

6. Operation description (explanation of block diagram);

7. Component list (BOM LIST);

8. Label;

9. Antenna specifications (or antenna gain diagram);

10. Charger LVD report;

11. Fixed frequency software (also called fixed frequency program. Enables the transmitter module to continuously transmit at a certain frequency point, generally BT and WIFI must provide).

RED certification cycle

Normally 3-4 weeks, can be expedited.