CE Certification for Telecommunications Equipment
The RED Directive 2014/53/EU
The radio equipment manufacturing industry falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU (RED), which regulates the making available on the market and the putting into service of radio equipment in the European Union.
This scope includes all devices that intentionally use the radio frequency spectrum to communicate or determine position, such as car door opening devices, mobile communication equipment (cell phones), CB radios, radio transmitters, IoT devices, and wireless apparatus in general.
Equipment excluded from the RED
Following regulatory developments, telecommunications terminal equipment that does not use the radio spectrum no longer falls within the scope of the RED, but is governed by other directives, including Directive 2014/35/EU (Low Voltage) and Directive 2014/30/EU (Electromagnetic Compatibility).
Therefore, devices such as ADSL modems, wired telephones, and telephone switches remain excluded from the RED, unless they integrate radio functionality.
Applicable harmonized standards
Within the framework of RED compliance, the following harmonized standards may be applied, by way of example:
Radio standards (spectrum use)
- EN 300 220 — Short Range Devices (SRD)
- EN 300 328 — 2.4 GHz wideband systems
- EN 301 893 — 5 GHz RLAN
- EN 301 511 — GSM/2G
- EN 301 908 — IMT – mobile networks (3G/4G/5G)
- EN 303 413 — GNSS – satellite navigation systems
- EN 303 417 — WiGig / 60 GHz
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
- EN 301 489 — Electromagnetic compatibility for radio equipment
Electrical safety
- EN 62368-1 — Safety of audio/video and ICT equipment
Exposure to electromagnetic fields (RF)
- EN 62479 — Assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields
- EN 50665 — Human exposure for portable devices
The application of harmonized standards confers a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directive.
