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EMC Compliance under RED and EMC Directive

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

All electronic products placed on the EU market must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements.
Radio equipment is regulated under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED); all other devices fall under the EMC Directive (EMCD).
Testing in the EU includes both emissions and immunity to ensure safe and interference-free operation.
Key standards include EN 301 489-x (for RED) and EN 55032 / EN 61000-6-x (for EMCD).
Address EMC early in product development using shielding, optimized PCB layout, and pre-compliance testing.
Compliance is demonstrated through technical documentation and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC).

What is EMC Compliance?

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) ensures that electronic and electrical products can operate as intended without causing or being affected by electromagnetic disturbances.

To achieve EMC compliance, manufacturers must ensure:

their devices do not emit excessive electromagnetic interference (EMI), and
their devices are sufficiently immune to external interference under normal conditions.

EMC compliance is essential for legal market access in the European Union, the United States, and other key regions. It is a prerequisite for regulatory compliance, including CE marking in the EU and FCC requirements in the U.S.

The applicable requirements vary depending on whether a product qualifies as radio equipment or as non-radio electrical/electronic equipment.
In the European Union, this distinction determines whether the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) or the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMCD) applies.

Legal Frameworks: EU and International

EMC Compliance in the European Union

The RED (2014/53/EU) governs radio equipment, while the EMCD (2014/30/EU) applies to all other electronic and electrical products. The following table summarizes their scope and typical EMC standards.

Directive	Details
RED (2014/53/EU)	Applies to: Radio equipment with transmit/receive modules Typical Products: Smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices EMC Standards: EN 301 489 series (e.g., -1, -3, -17, -22)
EMCD (2014/30/EU)	Applies to: Non-radio electronic/electrical equipment Typical Products: Power supplies, LED lighting, control units EMC Standards: EN 55032, EN 55035, EN 61000-6-1 / -6-3

Directive	Applies to	Typical Products	EMC Standards
RED (2014/53/EU)	Radio equipment with transmit/receive modules	Smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices	EN 301 489 series (e.g., -1, -3, -17, -22)
EMCD (2014/30/EU)	Non-radio electronic/electrical equipment	Power supplies, LED lighting, control units	EN 55032, EN 55035, EN 61000-6-1 / -6-3

The RED includes its own EMC requirement under Article 3.1(b), referencing the principles of the EMCD—but it does not apply the EMCD directly.

Which Directive Applies: RED or EMCD?

The following table helps determine which legal framework governs EMC compliance:

Question	Details
Does the device include a radio transmitter or receiver?	Answer: Yes Applicable Directive: RED (2014/53/EU)
Does the device include a radio transmitter or receiver?	Answer: No Applicable Directive: EMCD (2014/30/EU)

Question	Answer	Applicable Directive
Does the device include a radio transmitter or receiver?	Yes	RED (2014/53/EU)
Does the device include a radio transmitter or receiver?	No	EMCD (2014/30/EU)

EMC testing is mandatory in both cases, but the applicable standards and conformity assessment routes differ.

EMC Requirements Outside the EU

While the European Union enforces both emission and immunity testing through harmonized standards, many other countries follow different regulatory approaches—especially for radio equipment. The United States and Canada, for example, focus exclusively on emissions, while some Asian markets require more comprehensive testing.

The table below summarizes key EMC frameworks in selected non-EU markets:

Country	Details
United States (FCC)	EMC Framework: 47 CFR Part 15 (Subparts B & C) Notes: Emissions only. No immunity testing. Mandatory for intentional and unintentional radiators.
Canada (ISED)	EMC Framework: ICES-003, RSS series Notes: Emissions-based framework. Test procedures and limits similar to FCC.
Japan (MIC / VCCI)	EMC Framework: VCCI standards (voluntary) Notes: No mandatory EMC regulation, but voluntary emissions compliance is expected.
South Korea (RRA)	EMC Framework: KN 32 / KN 35 (KC) Notes: Mandatory certification for emissions and immunity. KC mark required.
China (MIIT / CNCA)	EMC Framework: GB/T standards (CCC) Notes: Mandatory EMC certification for many product types. Includes immunity tests.

Country	Regulatory Authority	EMC Framework	Notes
United States	FCC	47 CFR Part 15 (Subparts B & C)	Emissions only. No immunity testing. Mandatory for intentional and unintentional radiators.
Canada	ISED	ICES-003, RSS series	Emissions-based framework. Test procedures and limits similar to FCC.
Japan	MIC / VCCI	VCCI standards (voluntary)	No mandatory EMC regulation, but voluntary emissions compliance is expected.
South Korea	RRA	KN 32 / KN 35 (KC)	Mandatory certification for emissions and immunity. KC mark required.
China	MIIT / CNCA	GB/T standards (CCC)	Mandatory EMC certification for many product types. Includes immunity tests.

The United States and Canada regulate only electromagnetic emissions. In contrast, countries such as South Korea and China require both emission and immunity testing for market approval.

For details on national procedures and recognition of test reports, visit the Country Requirements Overview.

EMC under RED

Radio equipment placed on the European market must meet the essential requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU. Article 3.1(b) of the directive requires that radio devices be constructed in a way that ensures adequate electromagnetic compatibility.

Compliance is usually demonstrated by applying harmonized standards developed by ETSI—primarily the EN 301 489 series.

EMC Standards under RED

Standard	Details
EN 301 489-1	Scope: General EMC requirements Typical Applications: All radio equipment (used with -x parts)
EN 301 489-3	Scope: Short-range devices (SRDs) Typical Applications: RFID, remote controls, garage openers
EN 301 489-17	Scope: Broadband radio access technologies Typical Applications: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WLAN modules
EN 301 489-19	Scope: Satellite earth stations Typical Applications: GNSS receivers, satellite modems
EN 301 489-22	Scope: GSM/UMTS/LTE terminal equipment Typical Applications: Mobile phones, LTE gateways

Each device type must apply EN 301 489-1 in combination with its product-specific part (e.g., -3, -17, etc.). These standards define test conditions, performance criteria, and exclusion bands relevant for EMC testing.

Standard	Scope	Typical Applications
EN 301 489-1	General EMC requirements	All radio equipment (used with -x parts)
EN 301 489-3	Short-range devices (SRDs)	RFID, remote controls, garage openers
EN 301 489-17	Broadband radio access technologies	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WLAN modules
EN 301 489-19	Satellite earth stations	GNSS receivers, satellite modems
EN 301 489-22	GSM/UMTS/LTE terminal equipment	Mobile phones, LTE gateways

What Does the Testing Cover?

Under EN 301 489-1 and its extensions, the following aspects are evaluated:

Emissions testing: Radiated and conducted interference from the device
Immunity testing: Ability to operate reliably under external electromagnetic disturbances
Exclusion bands: ±5% of operating frequencies exempt from radiated emissions tests to avoid self-interference
Performance criteria: Pass/fail based on continued operation of essential functions during exposure

Test methods reference established horizontal EMC standards such as EN 55032, EN 61000-4-2 (ESD), EN 61000-4-3 (RF immunity), and others.

EMC testing under RED is always linked to the radio characteristics of the device. Even if a product contains multiple radio modules, each must be assessed with the relevant part of EN 301 489-x.

EMC under EMCD

Products that do not include radio functionality fall under the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. The directive applies to virtually all electrical and electronic equipment that may generate or be affected by electromagnetic disturbances.

Unlike the RED, the EMCD is not limited to wireless communication and covers a broad range of products used in residential, commercial, and industrial environments.

EMC Standards under EMCD

Compliance with the EMCD is typically demonstrated using harmonized standards published by CENELEC. The applicable standards depend on the product category and its intended environment.

Standard	Details
EN 55032	Scope: Emission – multimedia equipment Typical Applications: Displays, PCs, audio/video systems
EN 55035	Scope: Immunity – multimedia equipment Typical Applications: Same as above
EN 61000-6-1	Scope: Immunity – residential environments Typical Applications: Consumer devices, smart appliances
EN 61000-6-3	Scope: Emission – residential environments Typical Applications: As above
EN 61000-6-2 / -6-4	Scope: Generic industrial environments Typical Applications: Control panels, PLCs, HMIs

Standard	Scope	Typical Applications
EN 55032	Emission – multimedia equipment	Displays, PCs, audio/video systems
EN 55035	Immunity – multimedia equipment	Same as above
EN 61000-6-1	Immunity – residential environments	Consumer devices, smart appliances
EN 61000-6-3	Emission – residential environments	As above
EN 61000-6-2 / -6-4	Generic industrial environments	Control panels, PLCs, HMIs

These horizontal standards reference basic test methods such as EN 61000-4-2 (ESD), -4-3 (radiated immunity), and -4-6 (conducted immunity).

Application Notes

Manufacturers must select the appropriate standard(s) based on the product function and intended use environment.
If no product-specific harmonized standard exists, generic EMC standards (EN 61000-6-x) may be applied.
EMC requirements under the EMCD are typically verified through a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), supported by internal or third-party EMC testing.

The EMCD does not cover safety, health, or spectrum use. These aspects are handled under other directives such as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) or specific product regulations.

EMC by Design

Electromagnetic compatibility is not only a matter of testing—it starts with design. Poor board layout, inadequate shielding, or unfiltered interfaces can lead to costly redesigns or non-compliance during EMC testing. Designing with EMC in mind reduces the risk of test failures and simplifies compliance under both the RED and the EMCD.

Principle	Purpose
Key EMC Design Principles
Minimize loop areas	Reduces susceptibility to magnetic fields
Layered printed circuit board (PCB) design	Use of dedicated ground layers improves signal return paths and reduces emissions
Decoupling capacitors	Suppress high-frequency switching noise
Shielding and filtering	Limit emissions at ports and cable interfaces
Isolate noisy components	Prevent coupling to sensitive circuit parts

These techniques are relevant regardless of whether the device falls under RED or EMCD. They help ensure robust operation in real-world environments and reduce test effort during certification.

Principle	Details
Key EMC Design Principles
Minimize loop areas	Purpose: Reduces susceptibility to magnetic fields
Layered PCB design	Purpose: Use of dedicated ground layers improves signal return paths and reduces emissions
Decoupling capacitors	Purpose: Suppress high-frequency switching noise
Shielding and filtering	Purpose: Limit emissions at ports and cable interfaces
Isolate noisy components	Purpose: Prevent coupling to sensitive circuit parts

These techniques are relevant regardless of whether the device falls under RED or EMCD. They help ensure robust operation in real-world environments and reduce test effort during certification.

Best Practice Tip

Early EMC planning avoids costly late-stage fixes.
Pre-compliance testing helps detect critical issues before formal certification.
Learn more about practical testing options on our EMC Pre-Compliance Service Page.

Demonstrating Compliance

Whether your product falls under the RED or the EMCD, manufacturers are responsible for demonstrating that electromagnetic compatibility requirements are met. This is typically done by applying harmonized standards and compiling a complete technical file.

The steps vary slightly depending on the applicable directive but follow a common logic.

EMC Compliance Process

Following a structured EMC compliance process helps ensure that products meet regulatory requirements before market entry. This systematic approach minimizes the risk of non-compliance and helps manufacturers prepare the necessary documentation.

Step	Description
EMC Compliance Process
1. Identify applicable directive	Determine whether RED or EMCD applies based on radio functionality
2. Select relevant standards	Choose harmonized standards suited to product type and environment
3. Perform EMC testing	Conduct emission and immunity tests using accredited or internal labs
4. Evaluate results and risk	Confirm continued function and assess residual EMC risks
5. Compile technical documentation	Include test reports, design data, and justification for standard selection
6. Issue Declaration of Conformity (DoC)	Legally binding confirmation of compliance (EU-wide requirement)

Step	Details
EMC Compliance Process
1. Identify applicable directive	Description: Determine whether RED or EMCD applies based on radio functionality
2. Select relevant standards	Description: Choose harmonized standards suited to product type and environment
3. Perform EMC testing	Description: Conduct emission and immunity tests using accredited or internal labs
4. Evaluate results and risk	Description: Confirm continued function and assess residual EMC risks
5. Compile technical documentation	Description: Include test reports, design data, and justification for standard selection
6. Issue Declaration of Conformity (DoC)	Description: Legally binding confirmation of compliance (EU-wide requirement)

Under the RED, compliance must be shown per Article 3.1(b) using EN 301 489-x series standards. Under the EMCD, compliance typically follows generic or product-specific EN 550xx and EN 61000-6-x series.

Notes on Testing

Test conditions must reflect worst-case operational modes, including transmitter activity.
Exclusion bands (under RED) must be justified where radiated emissions are not measured.
Testing may be performed by external labs or qualified in-house teams, provided traceability is ensured.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between RED and EMCD?

The RED (2014/53/EU) applies to radio equipment and includes its own EMC requirement under Article 3.1(b). The EMCD (2014/30/EU) covers all other electrical/electronic products. Only one of the two applies to a given product.

Is EMC testing mandatory for all products?

Yes. Whether under RED or EMCD, demonstrating electromagnetic compatibility is mandatory for market access in the EU. Test evidence must be part of the technical documentation.

How do I determine whether RED or EMCD applies?

If your product includes any radio transmitter or receiver (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular), the RED applies. Otherwise, the EMCD covers your device.

Can I use generic EMC standards?

Yes, under the EMCD. If no product-specific harmonized standard exists, you may use generic standards such as EN 61000-6-1/-6-3 or EN 61000-6-2/-6-4. For RED, product-specific parts of the EN 301 489-x series must be used.

What if no harmonized EMC standard is available?

You may use non-harmonized standards or justify your approach with a documented risk assessment. The essential requirements must still be fulfilled, and your rationale must be included in the technical file.

Are FCC and CE EMC requirements equivalent?

No. FCC rules focus solely on emissions (47 CFR Part 15), while CE compliance under RED or EMCD requires both emission and immunity testing. The test approach and approval processes differ significantly.