RED Wireless Device Certification

The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU

On May 22, 2014, the Radio Equipment Directive (Red) 2014/53/EU was officially published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) and came into effect on June 12, 2014. This directive will replace the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE Directive). Before June 12, 2016, member states should translate this directive into member state law, and the original R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC) will also be invalidated. Starting from June 13, 2016, member states should adopt the New Radio Equipment Directive (RED); Starting from June 13, 2017, products that comply with the old R&RTTE directive will not be allowed to be sold in the EU market.

The purpose of the new directive is to clarify the scope of spectrum use, improve the effectiveness of spectrum use, and facilitate the enforcement of regulations and market monitoring among member countries.

Before wireless products can be legally sold in EU countries, they must undergo testing in accordance with the RED directive to obtain approval, and must also have CE marks. Wireless remote control products must comply with the requirements of the RED Directive RED 2014/53/EU.

Scope of RED Product Certification

1. Short distance wireless remote control products (SRD), such as remote-controlled toy cars, remote-controlled alarm systems, remote-controlled doorbells, remote-controlled switches, remote-controlled mice, keyboards, etc;

2. Professional radio remote control products (PMR) such as professional wireless intercoms, wireless microphones, etc;

3. Wireless Telephone CTO CT1、CT1+… ；

4. ISDN (Digital Telephone Products);

5. DECT (Enhanced Digital Radio Telephone);

6. Mobile GSM and CDMA testing;

7. Bluetooth products such as Bluetooth earphones;

8. Inductive data transmission equipment with operating frequency<9 kHz;

9. Wireless broadcast receiver equipment.

Difference between RED certification and R&TTE certification

1. The RED product range only includes wireless communication and wireless identification devices (such as RFID, radar, motion detection, etc.). RF equipment that is not used for communication or identification will be subject to the control of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and low-voltage LVD instructions;

2. The wired communication terminal equipment (TTE) has been removed, therefore the RED directive is only used for wireless products;

3. Wireless broadcast receivers have now been included in the scope of the RED directive (previously covered in the electromagnetic compatibility EMC directive and low-voltage LVD directive);

4. The lower limit of instruction coverage frequency has been cancelled (previously the control starting frequency of R&TTE was 9 kHz), while the upper limit remains at 3000 GHz;

5. The evaluation opinion of the notified body has now been replaced by the "Type Inspection Certificate";

6. Manufacturers can only use the CE mark with the notified body number (Full Quality Assurance - Type H) after their quality system has been evaluated by the notified body;

7. The requirement for Class II equipment to notify spectrum agencies in various countries is no longer necessary;

8. The identification (warning number) of Class II devices is no longer required, but in some countries, warnings for restricted use still need to appear on product packaging;

9. CE marking is no longer required in the user manual, but the frequency band and transmission power used for RF must be specified in the manual; 10. The kit used for personal evaluation is no longer subject to control (i.e. does not require RED certification);

11. The new directive requires the use of a unified charger;

12. The addresses and contact information of manufacturers and importers must appear on the device, and can appear in the user manual when the device is too small.

The existing and future changes will affect your company's product certification this year and in the coming years. Therefore, it is necessary to start considering the new directive in the design and market sales of your company's products, especially for products newly added to the directive, such as wireless broadcast receiver equipment; Inductive data transmission equipment with operating frequency<9 kHz.

According to the new EU framework resolution 768/2008/EC, the RED directive also specifies the responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, distributors, and EU representatives. The names and reachable addresses of the manufacturer and importer must be indicated on the product or accompanying instructions.

RED testing project

1. Electromagnetic compatibility testing (EMC testing);

2. LVD safety testing (in the new directive, this test is also required for RF products with battery input);

3. Conduct radio communication equipment testing (RF testing) according to European ETSI standards;

4. Notification of Spectrum Allowances in Europe;

5. CTR (TBR) testing;

6. Electrical safety and health protection testing (SAR assessment).

Required documents for RED certification

1. User manual

2. Circuit schematic diagram

3. Block Diagram (also known as Module Function Diagram)

4. Circuit Layout Diagram (PCB LAYOUT)

5. PCB Placement Diagram

6. Operation description (explanation of block diagram)

7. Component List (BOM LIST)

8. Label

9. Antenna specifications (or antenna gain diagram)

10. LVD report of charger

11. Fixed frequency software (also known as fixed frequency program. It enables the transmitting module to continuously transmit at a certain frequency point, which is generally required for BT and WIFI)