Regulations and Standards in the EU
Harmonized Regulations and Standards in the EU Harmonizing in the EU Harmonizing in the EU means adjusting the regulations for the individual EU countries so that they match. For technical products, the requirements of the products are standardized to prevent problems with trade. To harmonize the technical requirements, EU guidelines are created to adjust the regulations so that they match. These guidelines define basic requirements that products must meet if they are going to be traded within the EU. EU Guidelines The EU guidelines are not regulations because regulations cannot be made at EU level. But this is only a formality because the EU country is required to add the contents of the EU guidelines to the national regulations. Therefore the requirements defined in the EU guidelines – sooner or later – will be regulations throughout the EU. Examples of EU guidelines are: Machine guidelines, low voltage guidelines, EMC guidelines, guidelines for toys, etc. Local regulations must be observed! NOTE: Inform yourself about local regulations and valid standards in addition to the information provided in this manual. This manual only provides an overview. Relevant Guidelines for PLC Users The following guidelines are valid for EMC and the safety of electrical equipment Low voltage directive Guideline 73/23/EEC from the directive of February 19th 1973 to adjust the regulations of the EU countries concerning electrical equipment for use within certain voltage limits Machine directives Guideline 98/37/EC from the European Parliament and the directive on June 22nd 1998 to adjust the regulations and administrative directives of the EU countries concerning machines EMC guidelines Guideline 89/336/EEC from the directive on May 3rd 1989 to adjust the regulations of the EU countries concerning electromagnetic compatibility Conformity Statement and CE Mark The manufacturer, or whoever trades the product in the EU, must confirm that the requirements of the respective guideline are met in a conformity statement. A CE mark is also required for the products. NOTE: The conformity is normally tested and confirmed by the manufacturer. The CE mark is applied to the product by the manufacturer. For certain products with a high potential for danger, the tests must be carried out by an external test lab (e.g. for presses or woodworking systems).
18
33002439 10/2019
