RED compliance testing

RED compliance testing

Speak to an expert

RED testing for wireless products

Ensuring compliance with the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

The EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the design, manufacturing and marketing of radio equipment across the EU. This directive guarantees a unified market for radio equipment with high standards of safety, health, electromagnetic compatibility and efficient use of the radio spectrum.

This directive applies to any electrical or electronic product that emits or receives radio waves for communication or determination purposes. Such products include mobile phones, broadcast TV and radio receivers, satellite terminals and any equipment that uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee or other wireless communication technology.

To introduce radio equipment to the EU market, manufacturers must comply with the requirements outlined in RED. These requirements cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Health and safety (Article 3.1(a))
  • Electromagnetic compatibility (Article 3.1(b))
  • Efficient use of the radio spectrum (Article 3.2)
  • Specific topics (Article 3.3)

These essential requirements are key to fulfilling the pre-condition for CE marking, which is necessary for a product to enter the EU market. Testing electronic products according the EN standards is the most convenient and reliable way to demonstrate compliance.

Master your RED compliance challenges

RED sets essential safety and performance requirements, but navigating its complexities can be challenging due to evolving standards and rigorous testing demands. Key obstacles that manufacturers and compliance engineers face include:

  • Keeping up with evolving standards: Standards and regulations are frequently updated, and manufacturers must stay informed about and adapt to these changes.
  • Complexity of wireless devices: Modern wireless technologies, such as 4G/5G and Wi Fi 6/7, are more complex than ever, with higher bandwidths and higher carrier frequencies. Devices support multiple wireless technologies in one tiny chassis.
  • Spectrum efficiency: RF testing for advanced technologies, with bandwidths of several hundred MHz or carrier frequencies of multiple GHz, significantly impacts test setups and demands advanced engineering expertise. Considering regulatory RF tests early in the design phase is strongly recommended.

High-performance solutions for RED testing

Rohde & Schwarz is a trusted expert on all aspects of regulatory test solutions. We offer plug-and-play test and measurement systems that can be customized to your needs. We also offer guidance on testing for individual RED articles, such as:

  • Article 3.1(a): Health and safety of persons and domestic animals
  • Article 3.1(b): Adequate levels of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
  • Article 3.2: Efficient spectrum use to avoid harmful interference
  • Article 3.3: Diverse specific topics, including E112 emergency call rules in EU

Benefits of our RED testing solutions

Rohde & Schwarz offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to help you with RED testing, ensuring your products meet essential requirements for safety, electromagnetic compatibility and efficient spectrum use.

We offer:

  • Advanced test equipment and software designed for precise and efficient RED compliance testing.
  • Expert contribution to support standards development organizations.
  • Global support for test solutions, ensuring consistent service no matter your location.
  • Tailored test solutions to meet the specific customer requirements.

Want to discuss your RED testing applications with our experts?

Contact us

Products for RED compliance testing

CMX500

CMX500 5G one-box signaling tester

Future-proof 5G NR testing solution with intuitive and flexible web-based user interface

Product information

Testing for different RED standards

RED article 3.1(b)

RED article 3.1(b)

Requires manufacturers to test devices with wireless functionality to ensure EMC

More information

RED article 3.2

RED article 3.2

Requires cellular devices to support efficient spectrum usage and avoid harmful interference

More information

Discover resources for RED compliance on Knowledge+

Poster: EU regulatory performance requirements for wireless devices

Poster: EU regulatory performance requirements for wireless devices

Learn about the standards that radio equipment must conform to for RED.

More information

Webinar: How to qualify devices without accessible antenna ports according to RED and FCC

Webinar: How to qualify devices without accessible antenna ports according to RED and FCC

This webinar discusses the requirements for extending conducted test methods to radiated test methods and presents different test methods for IoT and connected devices without accessible antenna ports.

Register now

Video: EMC standards update: RED

Video: EMC standards update: RED

This video highlights latest developments in relevant EMC standards focusing on the latest news from CE Radio Equipment Directive (RED) covering ETSI EN standards for Wi-Fi, cellular technologies and EU guideline for E112 emergency service.

Register now

Frequently asked questions

Who defines the European directives?

Whoever wants to transmit or receive radio signals in Europe must comply with the relevant European directives governing the approval of radio equipment.

These directives are developed in close cooperation between the European Commission as a body taking an active part in political decision-making, the European Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) within the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), both of them guardians of the ever more valuable frequency resources, and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

What has been the reason to revise the directives including RED?

One of the main drivers for the review of the directives is the EU’s New Legislation Framework (NLF). The framework targets the future product harmonization legislation and CE marking in Europe by laying down the general guidelines and detailed procedures for conformity assessment.

The need to improve the overall coherence and consistency, notification process, conformity assessment procedures, CE marking and market surveillance have led to a package of measures known as NLF. It consists of the Decision No. 768/2008/EC and Regulations (EC) No. 764/2008 and No. 764/2008 entering into force January 1, 2010.

These new measures made it necessary to revise the existing directives and to draft and release new directives including the RED to bring them in line with the new legislation.

Who is in charge of developing harmonized standards?

Harmonized standards specify the technical details regarding the diverse radio equipment along with possible test methods to demonstrate compliance with relevant requirements of the EU legislation.

At the request of the European Commission, they are developed by the European standardization organizations (ESO): the European Telecommunications Institute (ETSI), the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). The fully independent ESOs are private bodies that comprise industry experts, government bodies and other stakeholders.

Subscribe

Sign up for our newsletter

Stay on top of the latest trends in wireless communications testing

Request information

Do you have questions or need additional information? Simply fill out this form and we will get right back to you.

Marketing permission

Your request has been sent successfully. We will contact you shortly.
An error is occurred, please try it again later.