An important change now impacts the UK electronics industry: on Boxing Day the ‘Radio Equipment Regulations 2017’ came into force thereby making the EU Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU) part of UK law.

The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) has been in force since July 2016, however it had a one year transitional period alongside the previous Radio and Terminal Telecommunications (R&TTE) Directive 1999/5/EC. Following a consultation the UK government finally introduced the Radio Equipment Regulations on 26 December 2017.

Now that date has passed any electronic product that contains a radio device, when put onto the UK market, must meet the Radio Equipment Directive. If your company manufactures or supplies electronic devices containing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other wireless communication within the EU, you should ensure that the products are compliant with the Radio Equipment Directive.

The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 require the equipment to ensure “efficient use of the radio spectrum”, “adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility” (EMC) and “protection of health and safety”. This responsibility falls on all “economic operators” including; manufacturers, importers and distributors.

RN Electronics is an independent UKAS accredited test laboratory (No.2360), located in Essex. It provides testing to a range of RED standards including EN 300 220 for short range devices and EN 300 328 for wideband devices, as well as testing to the EMC and safety aspects of the Radio Equipment Directive and accredited testing for other countries, including the US and Canada.