ETSI EN 300 328

ETSI EN 300 328 is a harmonized European standard developed by ETSI. It specifies technical requirements for wideband data transmission equipment operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band (2400–2483.5 MHz). Technologies covered by its scope include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other short-range radio systems. Depending on the radio design, the standard distinguishes between frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) equipment and non-FHSS equipment using techniques such as DSSS or OFDM.

Scope and Application

The standard applies to the 2.4 GHz wideband radio function of a broad range of products, including:

• Wi-Fi access points and routers

• Bluetooth audio and wearable devices

• Zigbee and industrial IoT equipment

• Smart home and automation systems

• Automotive and medical applications operating in the 2.4 GHz band

Radio equipment that complies with EN 300 328 may benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of Article 3.2 of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU that are covered by the standard. Testing to the standard alone does not establish conformity with all applicable RED requirements.

Key Technical Requirements

The applicable requirements depend on whether the equipment is FHSS or non-FHSS, whether it operates adaptively, and its declared operating modes and output power. They include:

• RF output power: maximum mean EIRP of 20 dBm during a transmission burst

• Power spectral density for non-FHSS equipment: maximum mean EIRP of 10 dBm/MHz during a transmission burst

• Time-domain and channel-use parameters, such as duty cycle, transmission sequences and gaps, accumulated transmit time, frequency occupation, and hopping behavior where applicable

• Adaptivity mechanisms, including Listen Before Talk (LBT) or Detect and Avoid (DAA), where the corresponding adaptivity requirements apply

• Occupied channel bandwidth, transmitter and receiver unwanted emissions, and receiver blocking

These requirements support effective spectrum use and spectrum sharing. Compliance does not guarantee interoperability with other radio systems or interference-free operation under all real-world conditions.

Certification and Compliance

Documented conformity with a version cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) supports:

• Presumption of conformity with the Article 3.2 requirements covered by the standard

• Reference in the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

This presumption is limited to the requirements covered by EN 300 328. The manufacturer must separately assess all other applicable RED requirements and select the appropriate conformity assessment procedure, including whether involvement of a Notified Body is required.

EN 300 328 V2.2.2 was published in July 2019. Its reference was published in the OJEU on February 6, 2020. August 6, 2021 was the withdrawal date for the superseded version EN 300 328 V2.1.1.

Lifecycle Relevance

Manufacturers must ensure that radio equipment placed on the market remains consistent with the assessed design and applicable RED requirements. This includes:

• Monitoring changes to harmonized standards and legal requirements for ongoing production

• Keeping the technical documentation up to date when product changes affect RF behavior

• Reassessing the effect of firmware, software, or design changes on conformity

A new or revised edition of EN 300 328 does not, by itself, create an automatic obligation to retrofit every device that was lawfully placed on the market. The effect of a standards change must be assessed in the context of the product, its production status, and the applicable legal requirements.

Relation to Other Standards

• EN 301 489-1: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for radio devices

• EN IEC 62368-1: Electrical safety for AV/ICT equipment

• Harmonized Standard: General concept under the EU New Legislative Framework