New Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations From 20th July

On 20th July the new Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations, Statutory Instrument 2006:3418, comes into force. This is a result of the EU Directive 89/336/EEC being repealed by the new EU Directive 2004/108/EC.

Amateur Radio is mentioned in two places in this important EU Directive:

(2) Member States are responsible for ensuring that radiocommunications, including radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service operating in accordance with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) radio regulations, electrical supply networks and telecommunications networks, as well as equipment connected thereto, are protected against electromagnetic disturbance.

and

2. This Directive shall not apply to:
…
(c) radio equipment used by radio amateurs within the meaning of the Radio Regulations adopted in the framework of the Constitution and Convention of the ITU (2), unless the equipment is available commercially. Kits of components to be assembled by radio amateurs and commercial equipment modified by and for the use of radio amateurs are not regarded as commercially available equipment.

The second item is important in that it means Amateur Radio kits are specifically excluded from the expensive and time-consuming process of complying with the Directive.

These new regulations apply to equipment placed on the market after 20th July 2007. Equipment placed on the market prior to this date can continue to be produced in compliance with the old EMC Directive 89/336/EEC for a further two years.

Statutory Instrument No. 3418
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2006 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si200634.htm

Draft Guide for the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
http://www.emctla.co.uk/Kenilworth%20Meeting/
EMC_Guide_%2025-09-2006.pdf

Directive 2004/108/EC PDF Document
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/
2004/l_390/l_39020041231en00240037.pdf

EMC Test Labs Association
http://www.emctla.co.uk/Pages/Currentdocsmain.htm

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2004/108/EC (News item May 2006)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/
may2006/emc_directive.htm