Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Who Needs to Comply with the EMC Directive?
Compliance with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 89/336/EEC, also known as the EMC Directive, became mandatory January 1, 1996. Manufacturers of electrical or electronic products wishing to sell into the European Union using the CE Marking route must comply with the EMC Directive.

EMC Directive In Brief:
The EMC Directive is the most complex and far reaching of all directives that have been introduced into the European Union. It applies to nearly all electrical and electronic products made, and compliance with the EMC Directive is mandatory. In order to comply with the EMC Directive, your product must have an adequate level of immunity from external disturbances and not cause interference with other products/systems. Compliance with the EMC Directive became mandatory January 1, 1996.

The EMC Directive and Routes to Compliance:
There only two routes manufacturers can follow to comply legally with the EMC Directive.
Standards route. Compliance via this route involves self-certification by the manufacturer against all requirements within the appropriate harmonized standard. Every design variant must undergo a full assessment to the requirements within the harmonized standard, and must pass all tests.
Technical Construction File (TCF) route. Compliance via this route is available when
there are no harmonized EU standards, where the manufacturer chooses not to apply
such standards, or when it is not practical to conduct all tests specified in the harmonized standards. This route requires the involvement of a Competent Body and issuance by the Competent Body of a Technical Certificate of Conformity.

What is best for your company?
The following questions are helpful in determining which route to compliance is
the most cost-effective for your company.
1. Does the product exist in more than one version or with a number of options?
2. Does the product exist within a family of similar products?
3. Are you likely to make modifications to the equipment in the future?
4. Is the product not practical to test in a laboratory setting (too large, difficult to transport)?
5. Are you having difficulty identifying Harmonized Standards?
If you answered yes to any question, the TCF ROUTE is your most cost effective route.


Benefits of the Technical Construction File (TCF) route:
Allows for flexibility regarding compliance
Enables products to be certified in groups or product families, reducing testing requirements (over 60% of products undergoing certification OVER TEST)
Reduces compliance costs over the life of the product
Provides a more flexible solution for future changes
Allows for higher degree of interpretation vs. standards route
Provides government appointed third party (Competent Body) approval of products, reducing exposure to government scrutiny and challenge

What is included in a TCF?
The typical content of a TCF from Technology International (Europe) Ltd., a UK appointed Competent Body, includes:

	TCF Change Request Form
	- (PDF File - 11/29/04 - 100.2kb)
	TCF Change Request Form
	Use this format for electronic submission - (MS Word File - 03/03/05 - 22.5kb)
	EU Declaration of Conformity
	- (PDF File - 11/30/04 - 20.6kb)

	Download Free Adobe Acrobat Reader (for PDF files)