ETSI EN 301 489-1
ETSI EN 301 489-1 specifies common electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, measurement methods and test conditions for radio equipment and associated ancillary equipment, excluding broadcast receivers. It supports assessment of the EMC essential requirement in Article 3(1)(b) of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU.
Part 1 contains the common requirements of the EN 301 489 series. It is normally applied with the relevant radio-specific part, which defines product-dependent test arrangements, operating conditions and performance criteria. The applicability tables in clause 7 also allow Part 1 to be used on a stand-alone basis where no radio-specific part applies.
Scope and application
The standard covers transmitting and receiving radio equipment and associated ancillary equipment. Technical requirements for antenna ports and radiated emissions from the enclosure port of radio equipment are outside its scope and are normally addressed by standards for effective use of the radio spectrum.
Examples of radio-specific EMC parts include:
EN 301 489-3 for short-range devices (SRDs)
EN 301 489-17 for broadband and wideband data transmission systems, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth equipment
EN 301 489-19 for receive-only mobile earth stations in the 1.5 GHz band and GNSS receivers
EN 301 489-22 for ground-based VHF aeronautical mobile and fixed radio equipment
EN 301 489-52 for cellular mobile and portable radio equipment
Structure and use
Part 1 provides common EMC test methods and limits. The applicable radio-specific part may add or modify product-dependent test conditions, arrangements, performance assessment and performance criteria.
RF exclusion bands must be determined for the specific equipment. The assessment distinguishes between:
transmitter exclusion bands
receiver exclusion bands
channelized and non-channelized equipment
The applicable exclusion bands depend on the equipment characteristics, the relevant radio-specific part and the test method. They apply to specified immunity tests and transmitter-related emission assessments, while receiver emission measurements are treated separately. Clause 4.3 provides the determination methods; the width is derived from these factors rather than from a fixed percentage of the operating frequency.
The principal requirements are organized as follows:
Clause 6: performance criteria
Clause 7: applicability
Clause 8: emission measurement methods and limits
Clause 9: immunity test methods and levels
Key Technical Requirements
The following test categories are based on horizontal EMC standards referenced in ETSI EN 301 489-1 and its product-specific counterparts. These external standards define the applicable test methods and setups.
| Test Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Radiated Emissions |
Standard Reference: EN 55032 (referenced) Key Details: Applies in particular to ancillary equipment; the applicable frequency range and limits follow clause 8.2 and the relevant equipment configuration |
| Conducted Emissions |
Standard Reference: EN 55032 (referenced) Key Details: Measured on applicable DC power, AC mains and wired network ports |
| Electrostatic Discharge |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-2 (referenced) Key Details: Contact and air discharge on accessible surfaces |
| Radiated RF Immunity |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-3 (referenced) Key Details: 3 V/m over 80 MHz–6 000 MHz in Part 1; applicable performance criteria and any special conditions must also be considered |
| Conducted RF Immunity |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-6 (referenced) Key Details: 150 kHz–80 MHz in Part 1; applied to relevant ports under the stated conditions |
| Electrical Fast Transients |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-4 (referenced) Key Details: Applied to relevant AC power and wired network ports under the stated conditions; Part 1 specifies the test level |
| Surge Immunity |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-5 (referenced) Key Details: Simulates overvoltage from switching or lightning |
| Voltage Dips & Interrupts |
Standard Reference: EN 61000-4-11 (referenced) Key Details: Short-term power quality variations |
| Exclusion Bands |
Standard Reference: Derived under clause 4.3 and the relevant radio-specific part Key Details: Determined from the equipment characteristics and the applicable method in clause 4.3 |
| Test Category | Standard Reference | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Radiated Emissions | EN 55032 (referenced) | Applies in particular to ancillary equipment; the applicable frequency range and limits follow clause 8.2 and the relevant equipment configuration |
| Conducted Emissions | EN 55032 (referenced) | Measured on applicable DC power, AC mains and wired network ports |
| Electrostatic Discharge | EN 61000-4-2 (referenced) | Contact and air discharge on accessible surfaces |
| Radiated RF Immunity | EN 61000-4-3 (referenced) | 3 V/m over 80 MHz–6 000 MHz in Part 1; applicable performance criteria and any special conditions must also be considered |
| Conducted RF Immunity | EN 61000-4-6 (referenced) | 150 kHz–80 MHz in Part 1; applied to relevant ports under the stated conditions |
| Electrical Fast Transients | EN 61000-4-4 (referenced) | Applied to relevant AC power and wired network ports under the stated conditions; Part 1 specifies the test level |
| Surge Immunity | EN 61000-4-5 (referenced) | Simulates overvoltage from switching or lightning |
| Voltage Dips & Interrupts | EN 61000-4-11 (referenced) | Short-term power quality variations |
| Exclusion Bands | Derived under clause 4.3 and the relevant radio-specific part | Determined from the equipment characteristics and the applicable method in clause 4.3 |
Versioning and Compliance
| Version | Details |
|---|---|
| V2.2.3 |
Release Date: 2019-11 Notes: Published ETSI version containing the common technical requirements described on this page |
| V2.1.1 |
Release Date: 2017-02 Notes: Superseded ETSI version; current conformity assessments should use the applicable standards and OJEU references |
EN 301 489-1 is normally applied with the relevant radio-specific part, although clause 7 provides for stand-alone application where appropriate. A presumption of conformity under Article 3(1)(b) arises only within the scope of applicable harmonised standards cited in the OJEU and subject to any published limitations. The manufacturer must document the selected standards and assessment route in the technical documentation.
| Version | Release Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| V2.2.3 | 2019-11 | Published ETSI version containing the common technical requirements described on this page |
| V2.1.1 | 2017-02 | Superseded ETSI version; current conformity assessments should use the applicable standards and OJEU references |
EN 301 489-1 is normally applied with the relevant radio-specific part, although clause 7 provides for stand-alone application where appropriate. A presumption of conformity under Article 3(1)(b) arises only within the scope of applicable harmonised standards cited in the OJEU and subject to any published limitations. The manufacturer must document the selected standards and assessment route in the technical documentation.
Assessment process
Configure the equipment in representative intended operating modes, including transmission where applicable.
Identify the configuration expected to produce the highest emissions and document the rationale.
Determine and justify RF exclusion bands using clause 4.3, the relevant radio-specific part and the equipment characteristics.
Apply the relevant port- and environment-dependent emission and immunity tests.
Assess functional performance against the applicable criteria. The applicable performance criterion defines whether temporary degradation is permitted and what recovery is required after the test.
Lifecycle relevance
EN 301 489-1 can support EMC pre-compliance during development and formal conformity assessment. Product, firmware, software or configuration changes should be reviewed for their effect on EMC, and manufacturers should monitor changes to relevant standards and OJEU references for ongoing production. A standards change does not by itself create an automatic obligation to retest every product already lawfully placed on the market.
Relationship to other standards
EN 301 489-3: EMC conditions for short-range devices
EN 301 489-17: EMC conditions for broadband and wideband data transmission systems
EN 301 489-19: EMC conditions for receive-only mobile earth stations and GNSS receivers
EN 301 489-22: EMC conditions for ground-based VHF aeronautical radio equipment
EN 301 489-52: EMC conditions for cellular mobile and portable radio equipment
EN 55032: normative reference for specified emission measurements in V2.2.3
EN 61000-4-x series: normative basic immunity test methods cited by V2.2.3
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We support EMC testing under EN 301 489-1 and the relevant radio-specific parts of the EN 301 489 series. Our services include pre-compliance assessment, test planning, performance-criteria evaluation and RED technical documentation. → CE Marking & EU Market Access
Further Reading & Official Resources
Official ETSI Standard (PDF)
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EN 301 489-1 V2.2.3 – EMC standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common technical requirements
This is a curated selection of key sources. For complete and current regulatory requirements, consult the official portals of the relevant authorities. All references were verified as of September 2026.
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Author: IBL-Editors Team
Technical Review: Andreas Bender - Deputy Managing Director | IBL-Lab GmbH Give feedback on this article