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An overview of EMC testing requirements in key markets*
There are two basic kinds of EMC testing: emission testing to measure the electromagnetic waves from a product; and immunity testing to measure the effect of electromagnetic waves from other sources on the performance of a product. For emission testing, a product is classified either as a non-intentional radiator (generating radio frequency energy only as a by-product of normal operation-for example, a television or personal computer) or an intentional radiator (whose main function is to generate radio frequency energy-for example, a cell phone or citizens band radio).
U.S.
Emissions: Most electrical and electronic devices that are used or sold in the U.S. must meet specified limits for electromagnetic emissions. The governing body-the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-provides rules and standards under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 47. Standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) define most of the operating conditions for emission testing.
Non-intentional radiators (such as personal computers) used in business or industrial environments may be self-certified by the manufacturer or by a lab appointed by the manufacturer. The manufacturer must ensure that the proper measurements are taken to determine compliance with the technical standards. The manufacturer or importer must keep a copy of the measurement report for 10 years and submit it to the FCC if requested. Devices that meet the requirements are labeled according to the requirements in CFR 47.
Intentional radiators or non-intentional radiators used in a domestic environment may require the manufacturer to follow procedures for certification, type acceptance, notification or registration under FCC supervision, depending on the type of equipment and its intended environment.
Immunity: Currently, the U.S. does not have mandatory requirements for ensuring a device's immunity, but U.S. manufacturers and importers may opt for voluntary immunity testing.
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Canada
Emissions: In Canada, all electrical and electronic equipment are required to operate within specified limits for electromagnetic emissions. The governing body is Industry Canada. CSA International develops applicable testing standards, such as the CAN/CSA-C108 series.
As in the U.S., non-intentional radiators are subject to self-certification by the manufacturer or by a lab appointed by the manufacturer. After testing, a report is prepared and a bilingual notice or label is included in the user's manual or inserted in the carton, indicating compliance to Class A (non-domestic) or Class B (domestic low-voltage) requirements. The manufacturer or importer must keep a copy of the report or test record on file for five years, and must be prepared to show it to Industry Canada upon request.
Intentional radiators and receivers (including telecommunications devices) must be formally certified by an accredited testing organization.
Immunity: As in the U.S., electromagnetic immunity is not a mandatory requirement for devices sold in Canada. However, a growing number of manufacturers and importers are opting for this testing because it can lead to improved product performance and greater acceptance in the marketplace.
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Europe
In the European Union (EU), electrical and electronic devices must meet specified limits for both emissions and immunity. These and other requirements are documented in EU directives. Each member country is required to restrict the sale and transport of goods that do not comply with the directives. The main EMC directive (89/336/EC) applies to all products except those covered by other directives which have their own EMC requirements, such as medical devices and automotive equipment.
EU directives and standards referenced in the directives are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The role of the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) is to ensure that EMC requirements and other electrotechnical standards are harmonized among member countries.
For most non-intentional radiators covered by the EMC directive, self-approval by the manufacturer or by a lab appointed by the manufacturer is permitted if the product complies with all harmonized standards. However, if it is impossible to apply all the harmonized standards, a Competent Body may be required to prepare a Certificate of Compliance, based upon a Technical Construction file and report. The Technical Construction File contains a description of the equipment and the justification for claiming that it complies with the essential requirements of the directive.
For intentional radiators, including telecommunications terminal equipment and some medical devices, a Notified Body-usually a government agency in the European Union -is required to issue a Type of Examination Certificate. This may require spot checks of product samples and a review of the manufacturer's quality system.
When all requirements are met, the manufacturer or representative in the EU should:
- issue a Declaration of Conformity for each shipment;
- maintain design and test documents for 10 years; and
- place the Conformité Européene (CE) marking on the equipment.
*This material is a general summary of information. It is not intended to be technically complete or exact or to provide engineering advice. Contact CSA International at 1-800-463-6727 to obtain the exact information and guidance applicable to your needs.