Market Access

The market access working group is dealing with regulatory and administrative requirements that technology products should fulfill in order to get access to the market. In this context, issues as harmonized standards, conformity assessment and market surveillance framework are addressed with the aim of reducing administrative and regulatory barriers. Indeed, the administrative requirements in EU directives should take account of the global nature of the activities of the European high technology industry and be streamlined between directives, so as to minimize excess administration costs to industry.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)

DIGITALEUROPE is facilitating industry's discussion platform on the EMC Directive details the requirements for Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) in terms of emission limits for electromagnetic interference and in terms of resistance to interference from an external source.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Legislation and Standardisation

EMF legislation and standards should not create barriers to trade. Harmonized standards are of utmost importance in order to be able to use manufacturers' declarations of conformity to show compliance with the essential requirements in the European Union without third party involvement, and to avoid barriers to trade because of national requirements. EC/Global standardization is the next step.

New Approach

The functioning of the New Approach is currently under review. The administrative requirements in New Approach directives should take account of the global nature of the activities of the European high technology industry and be streamlined between directives so as to minimise excess administration costs to industry.

Radio and Telecom Terminal Equipment Directive (R&TTE)

The R&TTE Directive has provided a smooth regulatory system for the placing of radio and terminal equipment on the European market since 2000. This regime could work as a model for other countries when they review their regulatory schemes that often rely on third party involvement in testing and conformity assessment. The review of the R&TTE Directive should result in better guidance on practical implementation and less divergent interpretations by different Member States. The impact of new technologies e.g. Software Defined Radio (SDR) should be assessed. Avoidance of technology based regulations would enable smooth introduction of SDR.

Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)

The LVD concerns the safety of low voltage products and the GPSD concerns the safety of products not covered by other directives, such as LVD. DIGITALEUROPE believes a clear borderline is necessary between GPSD and other directives to achieve legal certainty and avoid bureaucratic burdens for manufacturers. DIGITALEUROPE will be involved in facilitating industry's platform for discussing the planned LVD revision.