RED certification

Regulatory requirements for radio devices in the EU market

The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) is the successor of the R&TTE directive and has been applicable from 13 June 2016 onwards.

RED encompasses devices that intentionally emit or receive radio waves for the purpose of

• radio communications (e.g. broadcast transmitters, radio receivers, cordless phones, wireless microphones, short range devices)
• determination (e.g. of a position as in GPS receivers, radar, movement detectors, RFID …)
• battery chargers for mobile phones (to improve status of interoperability between mobile phones and common chargers)

RED does not encompass

• Radio equipment used exclusively for activities concerning public security, defense, state security or for the economic well-being of the state
• Amateur radio kits
• Marine equipment
• Airborne products, parts and appliances (as regulated under Article 3 of regulation EC 216/2008)
• Custom built kits used solely for research and development activities

Frequency range of devices that fall under RED

• up to 3000GHz, no lower limit

Essential requirements of the RED directive

Radio equipment that falls under the RED shall

• protect health and safety of persons, and of domestic animals and protects property
• provide adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility
• use of radio spectrum efficiently (Article 3(2))
• interwork with accessories such as common chargers (Article 3(3))
• interwork via networks with other radio equipment (Article 3(3))
• connect to interfaces of the appropriate type throughout the EU (Article 3(3))
• not harm the network, its functioning, its resources (Article 3(3))
• incorporate safeguards to protect personal data and privacy of users and subscribers
• support features ensuring access to emergency services
• support features to facilitate its use by users with a disability
• support features to ensure software can only be loaded into the radio equipment where the compliance of the combination of the radio equipment and software has been demonstrated