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Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU

TL;DR – Quick Summary

The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU establishes safety requirements for electrical equipment operating between 50V and 1000V AC or 75V and 1500V DC.
Manufacturers must conduct a conformity assessment, provide a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and compile technical documentation.
CE marking is mandatory for market access in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The LVD does not cover aspects related to radio interference, which fall under separate EU regulations.

Introduction

Electrical safety is a fundamental requirement for all electrical and electronic products placed on the European market. The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU defines essential safety requirements to protect users from electrical, mechanical, and thermal hazards.

Together with the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and the EMC Directive, the LVD is one of the key EU regulations for CE marking.

Preparing for CE marking under the LVD? Learn more about accredited test procedures and applicable safety standards on our electrical safety testing page.

LVD and Its Role in CE Marking

Directive	Scope
Low Voltage Directive (LVD)	Electrical safety of equipment within the voltage range of 50V–1000V AC / 75V–1500V DC.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive	Ensures that electrical and electronic devices do not cause or suffer from electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Radio Equipment Directive (RED)	Regulates wireless communication devices, including their safety, EMC, and efficient use of radio spectrum.

Unlike the EMC Directive or the RED, the LVD focuses on risks such as electrical shock and fire hazards.

Directive	Scope
Low Voltage Directive (LVD)	Electrical safety of equipment within the voltage range of 50V–1000V AC / 75V–1500V DC.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive	Ensures that electrical and electronic devices do not cause or suffer from electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Radio Equipment Directive (RED)	Regulates wireless communication devices, including their safety, EMC, and efficient use of radio spectrum.

Unlike the EMC Directive or the RED, the LVD focuses on risks such as electrical shock and fire hazards.

Safety Objectives of the LVD

LVD 2014/35/EU aims to ensure that electrical equipment placed on the EU market is safe for users, domestic animals, and property. It establishes harmonized safety requirements to protect against:

Electrical hazards, such as electric shock and short circuits.
Thermal risks, including overheating and fire hazards.
Mechanical and structural risks, such as moving parts or physical instability.

The directive applies to electrical equipment within its defined voltage range. Products operating at lower voltages are covered by the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC).

Beyond safety, the LVD also supports free trade within the European Economic Area (EEA) by harmonizing technical requirements, reducing compliance barriers, and ensuring a consistent level of protection across all EU member states.

Scope of the LVD

The Low Voltage Directive applies to a wide range of electrical equipment used in consumer, commercial, and industrial settings. It defines which products must comply with its safety requirements and which are explicitly excluded.

Category	Examples	Regulated Under	LVD Coverage
Covered by the LVD
Household appliances	Washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners	LVD 2014/35/EU	Covered
Industrial and commercial equipment	Power tools, lighting systems, industrial control panels	LVD 2014/35/EU	Covered
Electrical components	Switchgear, cables, transformers	LVD 2014/35/EU	Covered
IT and AV equipment*	Computers, monitors, audio systems	LVD 2014/35/EU	Covered
Excluded from the LVD
Radio equipment	Wireless communication devices	Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU	Not covered
Explosion-proof equipment	Electrical devices for hazardous areas	ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU	Not covered
Medical devices	Electrical medical equipment	Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) 2017/745	Not covered
Electrical systems in transport	Aircraft, ships, railways	Sector-specific regulations	Not covered
Low-voltage products**	Below LVD voltage thresholds	General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC)	Not covered

* Devices that transmit or receive radio signals (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers) fall under the RED.

** Products may fall under multiple directives depending on their function (e.g., EMC Directive in addition to LVD).

Category	Details
Covered by the LVD
Household appliances	Examples: Washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners Regulated Under: LVD 2014/35/EU LVD Coverage: Covered
Industrial and commercial equipment	Examples: Power tools, lighting systems, industrial control panels Regulated Under: LVD 2014/35/EU LVD Coverage: Covered
Electrical components	Examples: Switchgear, cables, transformers Regulated Under: LVD 2014/35/EU LVD Coverage: Covered
IT and AV equipment*	Examples: Computers, monitors, audio systems Regulated Under: LVD 2014/35/EU LVD Coverage: Covered
Excluded from the LVD
Radio equipment	Examples: Wireless communication devices Regulated Under: Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU LVD Coverage: Not covered
Explosion-proof equipment	Examples: Electrical devices for hazardous areas Regulated Under: ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU LVD Coverage: Not covered
Medical devices	Examples: Electrical medical equipment Regulated Under: Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) 2017/745 LVD Coverage: Not covered
Electrical systems in transport	Examples: Aircraft, ships, railways Regulated Under: Sector-specific regulations LVD Coverage: Not covered
Low-voltage products**	Examples: Below LVD voltage thresholds Regulated Under: General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC) LVD Coverage: Not covered

* Devices that transmit or receive radio signals (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers) fall under the RED.

** Products may fall under multiple directives depending on their function (e.g., EMC Directive in addition to LVD).

LVD Compliance and Documentation Requirements

To legally place a product on the EU market under the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU, manufacturers must fulfill specific obligations related to product safety, conformity assessment, and technical documentation.

Key Manufacturer Responsibilities

1. Conformity Assessment

Manufacturers must ensure that their product meets the essential safety requirements of the LVD. This includes:

Applying relevant harmonized standards
Performing and documenting a risk assessment (electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical)
Implementing design and production controls for long-term safety

2. Technical Documentation

A technical file must be created and retained for at least 10 years after the product has been placed on the market. It must include:

Product description and specifications
Test results and compliance records
Risk assessment and applied standards
Manufacturing drawings and circuit diagrams
Explanation of any deviations from standards

If the product falls under multiple EU directives (e.g., LVD + EMC), documentation must cover all applicable requirements.

3. Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

The manufacturer must issue an EU Declaration of Conformity stating that the product meets the LVD and any other applicable directives.

The DoC must be:

Signed and dated by the responsible person
Available in a language required by the market
Referenced in the technical file

Once the required documentation is in place, the next step is to ensure that the product also meets the directive’s technical safety requirements.

LVD Compliance: Simplified Overview of Key Manufacturer Responsibilities

Technical Requirements

Manufacturers must not only document compliance, but also ensure that their products are intrinsically safe. The LVD defines essential protection criteria to safeguard users, domestic animals, and property.

Key Safety Aspects

Aspect	Requirement
Electrical safety	Protection against electric shock, short circuits, and insulation failures
Thermal risks	Overheating prevention, fire resistance, and thermal stability
Mechanical hazards	Protection against moving parts, mechanical instability, and enclosure robustness
Chemical safety (where applicable)	Avoidance of hazardous materials or chemical reactions

Aspect	Requirement
Electrical safety	Protection against electric shock, short circuits, and insulation failures
Thermal risks	Overheating prevention, fire resistance, and thermal stability
Mechanical hazards	Protection against moving parts, mechanical instability, and enclosure robustness
Chemical safety (where applicable)	Avoidance of hazardous materials or chemical reactions

Harmonized Standards for Compliance

Applying harmonized standards provides a structured way to demonstrate conformity with the LVD.

Product Category	Relevant Safety Standard
IT and AV equipment	EN 62368-1 (safety requirements for audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment)
Household appliances	EN 60335-1 (safety of household electrical appliances)
Industrial machinery	EN 60204-1 (safety of electrical equipment for machines)
Lighting equipment	EN 60598-1 (safety of luminaires)
Measurement, control, and lab equipment	EN 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use)

Product Category	Relevant Safety Standard
IT and AV equipment	EN 62368-1 (safety requirements for audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment)
Household appliances	EN 60335-1 (safety of household electrical appliances)
Industrial machinery	EN 60204-1 (safety of electrical equipment for machines)
Lighting equipment	EN 60598-1 (safety of luminaires)
Measurement, control, and lab equipment	EN 61010-1 (safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use)

Applying harmonized standards grants a presumption of conformity under the LVD, simplifying CE marking and improving legal certainty.

Use of harmonized standards is voluntary, but any alternative approach must meet all essential safety requirements and be fully documented.
Always refer to the latest official EU list of harmonized standards to avoid outdated references.

Once safety compliance is ensured, the final step is to label the product correctly and fulfill all market placement obligations.

CE Marking & Market Surveillance

To bring electrical products to the EU market under the LVD, manufacturers must affix the CE marking and ensure that all economic operators meet their respective responsibilities. Authorities monitor the market to verify compliance and take action against non-compliant products.

1. CE Marking Requirements

Before placing the product on the market, the following steps are required:

Ensure conformity with all applicable LVD safety requirements
Issue the Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Affix the CE marking visibly, legibly, and permanently to the product

Self-Certification under the LVD

The LVD allows self-declaration without the involvement of a Notified Body, provided harmonized standards are fully applied.

2. Responsibilities of Economic Operators

Different parties in the supply chain have specific obligations:

Role	Key Responsibilities
Manufacturers	Ensure product compliance, issue the DoC, and maintain technical documentation for 10 years.
Importers	Verify that non-EU products comply with the LVD before placing them on the EU market.
Distributors	Ensure that products they sell bear the CE marking and are accompanied by the required documentation.

Role	Key Responsibilities
Manufacturers	Ensure product compliance, issue the DoC, and maintain technical documentation for 10 years.
Importers	Verify that non-EU products comply with the LVD before placing them on the EU market.
Distributors	Ensure that products they sell bear the CE marking and are accompanied by the required documentation.

3. Market Surveillance & Enforcement

EU authorities monitor the market to identify and remove non-compliant products. This includes:

Random inspections and testing of products.
Requests for technical documentation to verify compliance.
Corrective actions, including recalls, warnings, or sales bans if safety risks are detected.

Non-compliance can result in:

Product withdrawals and market bans
Fines and legal action against manufacturers or importers
Reputational damage and financial losses

All actors must cooperate with authorities upon request and maintain traceability throughout the supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of products fall under the LVD?

The LVD applies to electrical equipment designed for operation between 50V–1000V AC (Alternating Current) and 75V–1500V DC (Direct Current). This includes household appliances, industrial machinery, lighting equipment, and IT/AV devices. Products with lower voltages fall under the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC).

Do all electrical products require CE marking under the LVD?

Yes, electrical equipment covered by the LVD must have a CE marking before being placed on the EU market. The CE mark confirms compliance with safety requirements and must be visible, legible, and permanently affixed.

Can manufacturers self-certify compliance with the LVD?

Yes. The LVD allows self-certification, meaning manufacturers can conduct their own conformity assessment without requiring a Notified Body, provided they apply relevant harmonized standards.

How does the LVD interact with the Machinery Directive (MD)?

Certain industrial equipment may fall under both the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the Machinery Directive (MD) 2006/42/EC.

The Machinery Directive explicitly excludes certain electrical products, such as household appliances, IT equipment, and low-voltage switchgear.
If a product can be used as both work equipment and a consumer product (so-called migration products), the manufacturer determines which directive applies.
In most cases, the MD applies, but electrical components within machinery must still meet LVD safety requirements.

Do electrical enclosures and components require CE marking under the LVD?

It depends.

Finished electrical products (e.g., power supplies, lighting fixtures) must comply with the LVD and carry CE marking.
Components such as transformers and electric motors are generally CE-marked under the LVD.
If a component’s safety is determined by its integration into the final product, it may not require CE marking under the LVD. However, it could still fall under other CE marking requirements.
If an enclosure is part of a larger assembly, it must meet safety requirements but does not need its own CE marking.

What happens if a product does not comply with the LVD?

Non-compliant products can face:

Market bans or product recalls
Fines and legal actions against manufacturers or importers
Reputational damage and financial losses

How long must manufacturers keep technical documentation?

Manufacturers must retain technical documentation for at least 10 years after the last unit of a product has been placed on the market.

Are importers and distributors responsible for compliance?

Yes.

Importers must ensure that products imported from outside the EU comply with the LVD before being placed on the market.
Distributors must verify that products bear the CE marking and are accompanied by the required documentation.