Technology International (Europe) Ltd

NEW EMC Directive

EMC Directive Consultancy Services from Technology International

Addressing the new EMC Directive will pose a challenge to all manufacturers whose products fall within its scope, whether products were placed on the market prior to or post 20th July 2007. In order to help clients deal with that challenge as quickly and cost effectively as possible, Technology International has developed a number of new services:

1. Technical Construction File Conversions

This service is for manufacturers who have certified their products to the old EMC Directive using the Technical Construction File (TCF) Route, which will cease to be valid from 20th July 2007

The Issues

Under the new EMC Directive all existing TCFs and therefore the claims of conformity they support will become invalid on 20th July 2009. By this date all TCFs must have been replaced by a Technical File prepared in accordance with the new EMC regulations.

This applies both to products still being sold within the European Union and any products placed on the market within the EU in the past ten years but are no longer manufactured.

The Technology International Solution

To prevent manufacturers from having to prepare new compliance documentation from scratch, Technology International has developed a simple and cost effective process for converting an existing TCF into a Technical File. This process can be applied to any TCF of any age and any format. It's quick and straightforward; taking a third of the time that would be required to prepare a Technical File from scratch.

This service is open to any manufacturer, irrespective of whether they are an existing or previous client of Technology International or have never used our services in the past. No matter who you are Technology International can help your organisation update its EMC Compliance Documentation quickly and at minimal expense.

2. Technical File Preparation

From 20th July 2007 onwards all manufacturers whose products fall within the scope of the EMC Directive will have to prepare Technical Files to support claims of conformity.

The Issues

For manufacturers who have previously used the 'Standards Route' to demonstrate conformity to the old EMC Directive, the need to prepare a Technical File will pose a new challenge. For those who followed the TCF Route and prepared their own documentation, the requirements and contents of a Technical File will be unfamiliar.

The Technology International Solution

Technology International has used its fifteen years of experience writing EMC Technical Construction Files on behalf of clients to develop quick and effective methods for preparing Technical Files that meet the requirements of the new Directive. Whether a manufacturer wants to follow the Standards Route or has multiple product models and wishes to minimise test costs, Technology International can prepare a Technical File that meets an individual client’s requirements.

3. Notified Body Services

When the new EMC Directive comes into force existing 'Competent Body' appointments will cease. In their place EU national governments will appoint Notified Bodies for the EMC Directive, bringing it into line with other ‘New Approach’ Directives such as the Machinery Safety or Low Voltage Directives. The responsibilities of Notified Bodies will differ from those of Competent Bodies, and there will no longer be a mandatory requirement for the assessment of a Technical Files as there was for a TCF.

The Issues

Some manufacturers may still wish or need to have Technical Files assessed by a Notified Body. This could be because the practical issues prevented products or systems being tested to a full set of standards and a positive Notified Body assessment of a Technical File would provide additional confidence to a claim of conformity to the EMC Directive. Alternatively purchasers may make an assessment by a Notified Body a contractual requirement to ensure that they receive a product or system that is fully compliant with the EMC Directive. Finally, some regulatory bodies for industries where safety is of paramount importance, such as railways or nuclear power generation, may make Notified Body assessments mandatory.

The Technology International Solution

Technology International has been an EMC Competent Body since 1992. In order to continue providing a full EMC support service to clients Technology International has sought and been granted an appointment from the UK Government as a Notified Body for the new EMC Directive from 20th July 2007 onwards.

Under the terms of this appointment, Technology International will be authorised to conduct reviews of Technical Files and provide manufacturers with formal assessments of their evidence of conformity to the EMC Directive. In addition, Technology International will be able to give expert, impartial advice guidance on all issues relating to compliance with the new Directive.