ETSI EN 303 687

EN 303 687 is a harmonized European standard developed by ETSI that defines the technical requirements for wireless local area network (WLAN) equipment operating in the 6 GHz frequency band, specifically for Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) technologies. It ensures efficient use of spectrum and protection of incumbent services in the band.

Scope and Application

The standard applies to WLAN equipment using the Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) access technology in the 5.945–6.425 GHz range in Europe. It covers the following device classes:

• Standard Power (SP) devices using Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)

• Low Power Indoor (LPI) devices

• Very Low Power (VLP) devices for portable and short-range applications

EN 303 687 supports the channel structure associated with U-NII-5 to U-NII-8, and enables the use of wide channel bandwidths up to 320 MHz, suitable for high-throughput, low-latency communication.

Covered device types include:

• Wi-Fi 6E/7 access points and clients

• Routers and mesh nodes

• Integrated modules in consumer and industrial electronics

Key Technical Requirements

• Frequency Range: 5.945–6.425 GHz (Europe)

• Channel Bandwidths: 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 MHz (with support for puncturing and multi-link operation)

• Transmitter Requirements:

  • Output power and spectral emission limits for SP, LPI, and VLP devices

• Receiver Requirements:

  • Blocking performance, spurious response, and robustness

• Medium Access Control:

  • Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) and Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)

  • No DFS required for operation in the 6 GHz band

Certification and Compliance

EN 303 687 is intended to support CE marking under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU.

However, as of 2025, this standard is not yet listed in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Therefore, devices claiming compliance may still require assessment by a Notified Body under a conformity assessment procedure.

Manufacturers must:

• Conduct testing at accredited labs

• Provide a Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

• Ensure coexistence with incumbent users (e.g., fixed service links)

Note: The current version is EN 303 687 V1.1.1, published by ETSI in June 2023.