Entering the EU Market: Radio Equipment (RED)

The Radio Equipment Directive covers all equipment that transmits or receives radio waves and brings safety, EMC and spectrum requirements under one roof. Since 2022 the essential cyber security requirements have also been added.

Where harmonised standards are applied in full, a manufacturer declaration is sufficient; where they are not applied, notified body involvement becomes mandatory. This distinction matters particularly in new frequency bands and for technologies with no standard.

• Radio module details: frequency, output power, modulation, antenna gain
• Radio (spectrum) test report
• EMC test report
• Safety test report
• SAR or EMF exposure assessment
• Assessment against the cyber security requirements (where in scope)
• The EU Declaration of Conformity

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• Using an approved module does not remove the need to test the finished product
• EMC and LVD are not additionally applied to a product within the scope of RED
• The frequency band and power information must be provided to the user
• In bands with usage restrictions, a mark is required on the product

1. 01RED and LVD and EMCFor a product carrying a radio, LVD and EMC are not declared separately; their requirements are met within RED. Declaring all three together is contrary to the structure of the legislation.
2. 02RED and module certificatesUsing an approved radio module does not demonstrate the conformity of the finished product: because the antenna, enclosure and layout change, assessment on the finished product is required.
3. 03The RED cyber security articles and the Cyber Resilience ActThese are separate obligations. The RED articles apply to products carrying a radio interface; the Cyber Resilience Act extends to all products with digital elements and makes vulnerability management an obligation maintained throughout the product's life.
4. 04RED and third-country radio approvalsFrequency allocations are national: a radio approval obtained in another market is not valid in the EU, and the reverse holds too.

This page describes entry into the European Union market. The scheme itself — its scope, process, validity period and required documents — is covered in detail on the certification page.