What is the Low Voltage Directive?

The European Union’s Low Voltage Directive (LVD) ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits includes protection against electric shock and other hazards. Manufacturers and distributors who wish to sell electrical equipment in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) must certify that their products comply with relevant regulations. On approval, they can apply a CE Mark to their products, which permits their sale anywhere within the EU and EEA.

Testing, documentation and certification of CE Low Voltage must be completed by an accredited provider.

Why is a CE low voltage mark important?

Affixing a CE Low Voltage Directive mark to your products ensures free access to nearly 30 countries in the EU and EEA. Without the CE Mark, you cannot legally sell to consumers within the bloc and could potentially face fines, product recalls and even be banned from one of the world’s biggest markets.

TÜV SÜD makes it easy to comply with the Low Voltage Directive

TÜV SÜD is an EU Notified Body authorised to evaluate consumer products for compliance with the requirements of the EU’s Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU). We are up to date with all the latest changes in regulation and have long experience of applying the CE low voltage mark on electrical products.

Our state-of-the-art laboratories allow us to carry out relevant tests on an enormous range of products, and we can also test on site at your premises for faster access to market. Our technical experts are involved in international advisory boards on standards development, so you can be confident your product is fully compliant.

We offer a one-stop solution for CE low voltage marking, meaning you access the EU market fast and beat the competition.

LVD testing and documentation services from TÜV SÜD

We work closely with you to test your products, provide legally required reports and provide CE low voltage marking to your products. The process is fast and efficient, and includes:

• Regulatory interpretation and advice – we guide you through the relevant EU directives that apply to your product
• CE marking – advice on Declarations of Conformity and the application of CE marking to your product
• Product construction – including general construction and assembly, protective earthing connections, electrical, mechanical and fire enclosure requirements, and marking and labelling
• Protection against electric shock – such as isolation barriers and creepage and clearance distances
• Documentation review – including safety critical components, flammability ratings for plastics and other materials, and user, installation and service instructions

We can conduct electrical safety testing and assessments in our fully accredited laboratories or at your own site (testing at manufacturer’s premises, or TMP).