Directive 2014/35 / EU Low voltage (LVD)
Low-voltage equipment for export to the EU
Electrical equipment surrounds us in everyday life, both in everyday life and in production processes. Most electrical products are designed to be used in public electrical networks of 220V and 380V. It is very important that all these devices meet safety requirements that provide a high level of protection of the health and safety of people, pets and property.
Electrical equipment entering the EU market must comply with Directive 2014/35/EU, in particular, that manufacturers carry out appropriate conformity assessment procedures for this equipment.
About Directive 2014/35/EU
Directive 2014/35/EU of 26 February 2014 on low-voltage equipment was adopted to replace the outdated Directive 2006/95/EC with the aim of harmonising the technical standards of the European Union for electrical equipment.
Directive 2014/35/EU aims to improve the safety of electrical equipment for people and the environment. To this end, it sets out safety requirements according to which electrical equipment must be designed and manufactured in such a way that their operation and maintenance are safe.
Compliance with the requirements of the Directive is mandatory for all market participants: the manufacturer, importer and distributor, who must ensure that the equipment complies with European safety standards at every stage.
Scope of application 2014/35/EU
Directive 2014/35/EU applies to electrical equipment designed for use with a nominal voltage of 50 to 1000 V AC and 75 to 1500 V DC. Thus, the Directive covers all household, commercial or industrial appliances that operate on a 220 V and 380 V network.
Directive 2014/35/EU does not apply to:
- radio equipment
- electrical equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres;
- electrical equipment for radiological and medical purposes;
- electrical parts of passenger elevators and freight elevators;
- electricity meters;
- household plug connectors;
- control devices for pasture fences;
- specialized electrical equipment intended for use on ships, aircraft and railways;
- special electrical devices used for scientific purposes.
Requirements of Directive 2014/35/EU
Before releasing electrical equipment to the European market, the manufacturer must draw up technical documentation and carry out a conformity assessment procedure.
However, the directive does not provide a conformity assessment procedure that requires the mandatory involvement of a notified body. Therefore, since 2016, there have been no certification bodies notified for this Directive in the EU.
Declaration of Conformity
According to Directive 2014/35/EU, the declaration of conformity of low-voltage equipment is drawn up by the manufacturer resident in the EU or his authorized representative in the EU.
In addition, the manufacturer is obliged to draw up technical documentation, including operating instructions, for the product and conduct an assessment of the risks from the use of electrical appliances.
If during the conformity assessment process it was established that the electrical equipment complies with the requirements of the Directive, the manufacturer draws up an EU declaration and affixes the CE marking to the product.
By drawing up the declaration, the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the compliance of the electrical equipment with the requirements set out in Directive 2014/35/EU.
The declaration of conformity must contain the following information:
- name of the equipment and model;
- name and full address of the manufacturer and his authorized representative in the EU;
- list of directives, harmonized norms and standards applied to the equipment.
The EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation shall be kept by the manufacturer or the authorized representative for 10 years after the product has been placed on the market.
Technical documentation
The technical documentation is drawn up to confirm the compliance of electrical equipment with Directive 2014/35/EU and must contain:
- general description of the electrical equipment;
- drawings and diagrams, as well as descriptions and explanations for them;
- list of harmonized standards;
- results of design calculations, conducted studies, etc.;
- test reports.
Rules and conditions of application CE marking
The marking is applied to each product sample or to its technical data plate before it is released to the market.
The marking must be clearly visible, clear and indelible. In the event that the equipment is marked with CE marking impossible, the marking must be placed on the packaging or accompanying documents.
Our services
Our specialists have many years of experience in the field of certification and issuing European certificates. We have solutions for most of the tasks that arise in the certification process.
Using an individual approach to each client, we will select the best option for you, taking into account the specifics of your enterprise. In order for the procedure for issuing a European certificate to go according to plan and within the desired time frame, our specialists will conduct detailed consultations and answer all questions of interest.
We provide the following services in the field of certification:
- consultation on all issues related to product certification;
- selection of the relevant standard(s) for your product;
- assistance in compiling a technical file for the products being manufactured;
- conclusion of an agreement for an authorized representative of your company in the EU, if necessary;
- testing of products of any complexity in testing laboratories in Ukraine and Europe;
- verification and assistance in creating a factory control system;
- support in auditing your production by auditors of the European certification body;
- preparation of a declaration of conformity;
- full support of the CE certification procedure with the issuance of certificates.
Working with us, you communicate directly with professionals of the European level. This ensures the fastest possible issuance of the certificate, without overpayment for mediation.
The cost of our services is determined individually depending on the specifics of the product, the terms required for issuing the certificate, and the documentation available to the customer.