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Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

The radio equipment directive 2014/53/EU (RED) establishes a regulatory framework for placing radio equipment on the market. It ensures a single market for radio equipment by setting essential requirements for safety and health, electromagnetic compatibility, and the efficient use of the radio spectrum. It also provides the basis for further regulation governing some additional aspects. These include technical features for the protection of privacy, personal data and against fraud. Furthermore, additional aspects cover interoperability, access to emergency services, and compliance regarding the combination of radio equipment and software.

One common charging solution for all

Background, what the European Commission is doing, analysis, and next steps.

Update on Articles 3(3)(d), (e) and (f) 

Commission strengthens cybersecurity of radio equipment.

The Commission adopted a Delegated Act of the Radio Equipment Directive activating Articles 3(3)(d), (e) and (f) for certain categories of radio equipment to increase the level of cybersecurity, personal data protection and privacy.

Earlier, the Commission authorised a contractor to conduct an impact assessment study on protection in internet-connected radio equipment and wearable radio equipment.
Specifically, it focused on

  • the protection of personal data and privacy
  • the protection from fraud

Different options were considered, in line with the inception impact assessment.
See the final report of the study.

Update on Articles 3(3)(i) and 4

We ask the public and stakeholders to contribute to a data collection exercise. Based on this, we will perform an impact assessment of options that ensure that reconfigurable radio systems approved for Europe’s single market stay compliant with the Radio Equipment Directive after the installation of new or modified software.

The RED aligned the previous directive, the radio and telecommunication terminal equipment directive (1999/5/EC (R&TTED), with the new legislative framework for the marketing of products.

The revision also took account of the need for improved market surveillance. In particular, for the traceability obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors. It has improved market surveillance instruments. One example is the possibility for required preregistration of radio equipment in categories with low compliance levels.

The RED was published in the OJEU on 22 May 2014, entered into force on 11 June 2014 and is applicable as of 13 June 2016. It included a one-year transitional period, which ended on 12 June 2017 (Article 48). During the transitional phase, manufacturers were allowed to place on the market radio equipment compliant with either the RED or the EU legislation applicable before 13 June 2016 (e.g. R&TTED).

For more details on the application of the RED, see the RED guide under the guidance section below.

Committee (TCAM)

Article 45 of the RED establishes the telecommunication conformity assessment and market surveillance committee (TCAM), a committee related to Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. TCAM gives its opinion on proposed implementing acts under the RED. It also discusses the application of the directive when issues are raised either by its chair or a representative of an EU country.

Delegated and implementing acts under the RED

  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 of 29 October 2021 supplementing Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the application of the essential requirements referred to in Article 3(3), points (d), (e) and (f), of that Directive
  • Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/320 of 12 December 2018 with regard to the application of the essential requirements referred to in Article 3(3)(g) of Directive 2014/53/EU in order to ensure caller location in emergency communications from mobile devices
    • Article 2 provides that it shall apply from 17 March 2022. Recital 14 states that "nothing in this Regulation should be interpreted as preventing economic operators from complying with it from the date of its entry into force".
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1354 specifies how to present the information provided for in Article 10(10) of Directive 2014/53/EU.
    • Download the high-resolution pictogram (described in Commission Implementing Regulation 2017/1354 - Article 10(10) of Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU) - for printed product documentation
  • Commission decisions adopted according to the R&TTED remain applicable under the RED as far as they are not incompatible with the RED (for details, see the RED guide under the guidance section below).

Guidance

The RED guide aims to help with the common application of the RED. It has no weight in law but deals with practical issues that are of interest to manufacturers and other stakeholders. The guide will be continuously updated, following the discussions and the opinion of the TCAM.

Radio equipment directive FAQ: relates to the transition between the R&TTED and the RED.

See also

Standardisation

Voluntary harmonised standards in support of the RED have been and are being prepared by CENELEC and ETSI in reply to the standardisation request M/536

Notified bodies

Contact points

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