EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Testing

2014/30/EU is code for the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive. The EMC Directive is legislation that governs the placement of electrical equipment on the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) market. 

Falling under the umbrella of CE marking, the EMC Directive applies to electrical and electronic products.

The purpose of 2014/30/EU, also known as the EMC Directive, is to ensure that equipment a) doesn’t generate electromagnetic disturbances and b) is not adversely affected by them. 

A CE mark, which represents compliance with the EMC Directive, is needed for the majority of electrical and electronic equipment sold within the EU and EEA.

The EMC Directive - which ensures the compatibility of electrical equipment - applies to both finished and market-ready products (apparatus) and permanently installed equipment within defined sites (fixed installations).

Most mains- or battery-powered equipment falls under the EMC Directive, but it doesn’t incorporate components or subassemblies that only function as part of a larger system. 

Certain types of equipment have their own directive, and so are not included in the EMC Directive. This equipment includes; communication equipment, medical device, military equipment and road or agricultural vehicles.

Manufacturers themselves are responsible for ensuring that electrical equipment and products comply with the requirements of the EMC Directive.

Distributors and importers of equipment being supplied, or sold on, the European market have their own responsibilities. Distributors must ensure that products are labelled correctly and compliant with the directive before they are placed on the market. Importers are responsible for equipment carrying the CE mark and being accompanied by the correct documentation.