Introduction to the EMC Directive

This course is available as an in-house training course, please contact us for details.

The European Union Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU requires manufacturers and suppliers of equipment to comply with essential regulatory requirements before the equipment is placed on the market or taken into service. Compliance prevents interference with radio reception for example and ensures adequate immunity of the electrical and electronic equipment to electromagnetic noise within the environment.

Equipment comprises Apparatus and Fixed Installations. Apparatus (electrical/electronic products within the scope of the EMC Directive) must carry CE Marking.

Fixed Installations comprise particular combinations of permanently installed apparatus. Since 20 July 2007 there are now legal EMC requirements for new or modified fixed installations such as appointing a Responsible Person to hold technical documentation demonstrating the application of good engineering practices.

The current EMC Directive 2014/30/EU transposed in April 2016 introduces new responsibilities for ‘economic operators’ i.e. manufacturers, importers and distributors to improve market surveillance. Notified Body operation was also be revised.

This course provides an overview of manufacturers and suppliers responsibilities and how they are discharged explaining the differing requirements for apparatus and fixed installations and the compilation of Technical Documentation.

COURSE CONTENT:

• Overview of EMC: Essential Requirements, Coupling mechanisms, sources of interference, effects of electromagnetic interference, nature of interference, EMC phenomena.
• EMC Directive and Scope: Current EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and UK Regulations SI 2006 No. 3418, Apparatus and Fixed Installations, Excluded Equipment, Military Equipment
• Route to Conformity for Apparatus: ANNEX II Internal Production Control, Harmonised Standards, EMC Assessment, Technical Documentation, Notified Body, Declaration of Conformity, CE Marking, Case Studies.
• Route to Conformity for Fixed Installation: Fixed Installation Criteria and Examples, Special Essential Requirements, Good Engineering Practices, Intended Use of Components, Responsible Person, Documentation Requirements, Specific Apparatus for Given Installation, Methodology for Infrastructure Projects, Case Studies.
• EMC Testing: Outline the method and purpose of EMC testing of products required by harmonised standards under the EMC Directive.
• Sources of Guidelines and Information: EC Website Europa, EMC Directive Guide, BIS Guide, Trade Associations.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

• Recognise the basic mechanisms of EMC and understand the essential EMC requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/EC. Ensure that equipment complies with UK EMC Regulations SI 2006 No. 3418.
• Understand the route to conformity process. Understand the differing requirements for apparatus and fixed installations.
• Be able to identify relevant harmonised EMC standards and the options for their application. How to perform an EMC assessment where harmonised standards not applied in full.
• What to include in the Technical Documentation for Apparatus and common errors. When to use a Notified Body.
• Understand how to make a Declaration of Conformity and apply CE Marking.
• What to include in the Technical Documentation for Fixed Installations and common errors.
• What to specify in the procurement of apparatus being supplied to a fixed installation. How to implement Good EMC Engineering Practices for fixed installations Role of a Responsible Person for fixed installations and what documentation must be held.
• Special requirements for 'one-off' apparatus for given installations. Identify sources of guidance and information.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

The course is intended for engineers, managers, owners, operators, maintainers with compliance responsibilities involved in the development or supply of electrical and electronic equipment or with construction and civil engineering projects within the European Union.

Benefits of attending:

• Ensure that equipment is legally placed on the market or taken into service to avoid potential penalties.
• Ensure that electrical installations comply with legal requirements to avoid potential penalties.
• Achieve trouble free export of products within EU.
• Avoid rejection of products by system integrators due to inadequate EMC performance or poor documentation.
• Balance cost of compliance against risk on non-compliance.
• Be able to satisfy enquiries by the Authorities in case of complaint/dispute.
• Identify EMC responsibilities within fixed installations and so manage risk.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

PETER DOREY

Principal Consultant, TÜV SÜD

This course is presented by Pete Dorey BSc (Hons) CEng MIET of TÜV SÜD. Pete is a Principal Consultant and has worked in EMC since 1980 and is a Notified Body assessor under the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU.

Testimonials

"Gain a better understanding of EMC requirements & compliance. Objectives very well met."

"Appreciation of the EMC Directives, good overall appreciation achieved."

"I now have a clear vision of what my project plan will be and I will know how to proceed."