RED Directive 2014/53/EU
Optimised management of the frequency spectrum for CE marking purposes
Why is the RED directive essential?
Directive 2014/53/EU, known as the RED (Radio Equipment Directive), establishes a uniform regulatory framework for the placing on the market of radio equipment in the European Union. It aims to guarantee user safety, electromagnetic compatibility and the efficient use of the radio spectrum, while facilitating the free movement of compliant equipment.Our services enable manufacturers, importers and distributors to :
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- Ensure that radio equipment complies with the essential requirements.
- Obtain the CE marking and guarantee that equipment is legally placed on the market.
- Compile a complete technical file and carry out the necessary tests.
- Use harmonised standards to facilitate compliance.
- Working with Emitech Certification, Notified Body for the RED Directive.
Scope and obligations of manufacturers
The RED Directive applies to any equipment which intentionally emits or receives radio waves, including :
- Smartphones, tablets, connected objects (IoT), 5G equipment.
- RFID devices, LoRa/Sigfox networks, GNSS navigation equipment.
- Radar, radiodetermination devices and broadcast receivers (radio, TV).
- Design equipment that complies with the essential requirements (electrical safety, EMC, radio spectrum, cybersecurity and human exposure to electromagnetic fields).
- Carry out a risk analysis and compile a technical file.
- Affix the CE marking after following the appropriate assessment procedure.
- Provide an EU declaration of conformity and instructions for use.
- Collaborate with a Notified Body for certain categories of equipment.
Key elements of the RED directive
Essential compliance requirements
The essential requirements cover :
- Electrical and thermal safety (protection against shock, fire, etc.).
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) (absence of harmful interference).
- Efficient use of the radio spectrum (compliance with transmission standards).
- Cybersecurity and data protection (for certain connected equipment, mandatory from August 2025).
- Interoperability and accessibility to emergency services (for smartphones, regulation 2019/320).
Harmonised standards and certification
Applying harmonised standards gives a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements. Key standards include :
- EN 300 328: Standard for 2.4 GHz Bluetooth/Wi-Fi equipment.
- EN 301 489-x: Electromagnetic compatibility of radio equipment.
- EN 62368-1: Electrical safety of ICT and radio equipment.
- EN 18031-x: Cybersecurity requirements for connected objects.
Conformity assessment procedures
Manufacturers can follow one of the following procedures:
- Internal production control (Module A) : Self-declaration on the basis of harmonised standards.
- EU Type Examination (Modules B+C): Involvement of Emitech Certification for product validation.
- Total Quality Assurance (Module H): assessment and certification of a complete quality system.
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Notified Body (NB) and EU Type Examination
Why use a Notified Body?
A Notified Body (NB) is an organisation designated by an EU Member State to assess the conformity of certain products before they are placed on the market. Where no harmonised standard is yet available, or where the manufacturer does not wish to apply all or part of a harmonised standard, he must seek the opinion of a NB to validate the conformity of his radio equipment.Its role:
- Examine the technical design of the equipment and the risk analysis carried out by the manufacturer.
- Certify product quality through inspection of the manufacturer's quality system and surveillance audits.
- Issue an EU type-examination certificate under the RED Directive 2014/53/EU.
- Communicate with market surveillance authorities and other Notified Bodies.
- Guarantee an independent, transparent and impartial assessment.
EU type examination
EU type-examination is an assessment procedure whereby a Notified Body certifies that a product model meets the essential requirements of the RED directive. This examination involves :
- In-depth analysis of the technical documentation supplied by the manufacturer.
- Validation of the tests carried out to prove conformity.
- Issuing an EU type-examination certificate, which is required before the product can be placed on the market.
- Provide the authorities with all the necessary proof of conformity.
- Secure marketing with independent validation.
- Benefit from regulatory and technical monitoring by a specialist body.
- Protect against compliance problems (market withdrawals, litigation, competitive risks).
- Easier access to new markets thanks to the international recognition of certificates.
Emitech Certification : Notified Body RED
Emitech Certification is a Notified Body (NB 0536) for the RED directive. We carry out :
- The EU type examination for equipment not fully applying the harmonised standards.
- The audit and certification of manufacturers' quality systems under module H.
- Regulatory and technical monitoring** to ensure ongoing product compliance.
Why choose the expertise of the Emitech Group?
Our services cover the entire compliance process:
- An open approach to all directives applicable to your products
- Regulatory support: analysis of applicable requirements.
- Risk assessment and compilation of technical file.
- Laboratory testing to guarantee compliance.
- Assistance in obtaining CE marking and certification.
- Involvement of a Notified Body if necessary.
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Discover a selection of additional resources that explore topics related to this page including regulatory contexts, technical articles, and specific areas of expertise. These materials provide further insight to help you better understand the key challenges and available solutions.
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