Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE)

Compliance with the Radio Equipment & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive or RTTE Directive became mandatory on April 7, 2001

Who Needs to Comply with the RTTE Directive?
Manufacturers of radio equipment (such as broadcast transmitters, private mobile radio, short range devices, TETRA, VSAT, microwave and fixed radio links, and maritime radio) and telecommunications terminal equipment (such as equipment connected to ISDN, PSTN, ethernet, token rings/buses, telex) wishing to sell into the European Union using the CE Marking route.

RTTE Directive in Brief
The RTTE Directive replaces the TTE Directive, 98/13/EEC. The main objectives of the RTTE directive are to harmonize the radio and telecommunications industry and simplify the conformity process to reduce time to market, especially for new equipment. In order to do this, manufacturers now have to demonstrate compliance with the RTTE Directive by complying with a set of essential requirements.

Routes to Compliance
The RTTE Directive stipulates that products must satisfy the relevant essential requirements, which cover:
For both radio and TTE
Protection of the health and safety of the user and any other persons, including the safety requirements contained in the Low Voltage Directive, but with no voltage limits applying; and
Protection requirements with respect to the EMC Directive
For radio equipment only
Equipment construction to use the radio spectrum so as to avoid harmful interference

Conformity Assessment Procedures
In order to show compliance with the essential requirements of the directive, a manufacturer has a choice of conformity assessment routes. These routes are dependent on the type of equipment being certified.

Equipment	Annex II-Internal Production control	Annex III - Internal production control + radio test suites	Annex IV - Technical Construction File	Annex V - Full quality assurance
Wired Terminal Equipment Option	Option	Not allowed	Option	Option
Receiving Parts of Terminal Equipment	Option	Option	Option	Option
Radio equipment for which a harmonized standard has been applied	Not allowed	Option	Option	Option
Radio equipment for which a harmonized standard has not been applied	Not allowed	Not allowed	Option	Option

Technology International's approach to the RTTE Directive
The key to certification is understanding the essential requirements and scope/applicability of European standards. Technology International (Europe) Ltd., as a Notified Body, can help guide manufacturers through the complex essential requirements of the RTTE directive, including safety, EMC and radio spectra aspects. This includes developing the necessary technical documentation, interpreting the directive/standards, generating customized test plans, and providing a Notified Body Opinion.

How Technology International can help

Interpretation of the Directives and Standards	Expert interpretation of the requirements relative to your specific application
Project Management	Complete turnkey compliance solutions for all types of products
Technical File/TCF Preparation	Complete preparation of the technical documentation and conformity evaluation required to meet the directive
Technical Support	Support to lead customers through the complex tasks of achieving conformity to the applicable directive and standards
Test Plan	Provide test plans for the essential radio suite of tests, when no harmonized standards exist
Notified Body Opinion	Provide Notified Body Opinion for various product types
Notification	Provide assistance in notifying the national authority in the appropriate member state for radio equipment using non-harmonized frequency bands
Training	Customized training on European RTTE requirements, including safety, EMC and radio aspects

	ETSI-European Telecommunications Standards Institute
	Independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to produce telecommunications standards