Electrical product requirements

The essential requirements that the electrical equipment must meet are harmonised at EU level and specified in the directives that apply to the equipment in question. The harmonised standards are published in the Official Journal of the European Union and they describe in detail the technical requirements for equipment.

The manufacturer must always make sure that the electrical equipment complies with the essential requirements of the EU legislation. If the equipment is fully compliant with the harmonised standards, there is a presumption of conformity. The use of harmonised standards is, however, voluntary.
If the manufacturer has not applied harmonised standards or has applied them only partially, documentation must be presented of the measures taken and their sufficiency before the equipment can be deemed to be in compliance with the essential requirements.

EU legislation determines whether a third party, a Notified Body, is required for the conformity assessment.

The manufacturer must verify and test/commission tests to determine that the electrical equipment meets the essential requirements of EU legislation in accordance with the requirement assessment procedures. The procedure also includes risk assessment. By applying harmonised standards, the essential requirements of EU legislation can be fulfilled.

The manufacturer must draw up the technical documentation for the equipment, which is required for the assessment of whether the electrical equipment is in compliance with all applicable requirements. The manufacturer must also include a risk assessment in the technical documents.

The manufacturer or its authorised representative is responsible for drawing up and signing the EC Declaration of Conformity and attaching a CE marking. If a Notified Body has participated in the conformity assessment, the identification number of the body must also be given in connection with the CE marking.