EMC and Telecommunication

Electromagnetic compatibility

All electrical or electronic equipment transmits and receives electromagnetic waves. These waves can generate disturbance, thus resulting in various items of equipment interfering with one another. Everyone has experience of crackling on the radio and stripes across the television screen. "Do not disturb and do not cause disturbance" is the motto - in much simplified form - of the EU Directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility, which has required by law the demonstration of a minimum electromagnetic compatibility throughout Europe since 1.1.1996.

Electric and electronic devices and appliances work using electromagnetic transmissions. The devices can sometimes conflict with each other and subsequently fail to operate properly. For this reason, the law on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requires that emission levels be kept within certain limits.

The TÜV Rheinland Group can certify the conformity to this law, as it is authorized as a "competent body" for Europe. In addition, it performs analyses required internationally. Every device or appliance is tested in our modern EMV laboratories - be it electric mixers, industrial machinery, medical products or information technology installations. In order to demonstrate those minimum requirements, the relevant CE marking has been a statutory duty since then for all electrical and electronic equipment.

Why is electromagnetic compatibility so important?

Numerous items of equipment are still in use in all areas of life and work which do not meet today's requirements an which have an adverse effect on the operation of other equipment. A police station might, for example, have a computer that has not been tested for electromagnetic compatibility, thus interfering with hand-held telephones. Or the new grinder in the workshops which operates using a power-regulating electronic system does not work because there is interference from a machine in the next room. It is not easy to find the sources of interference of this kind since there is no way of seeing how the items of equipment interact with one another. The regulations in the Law on Electromagnetic Compatibility aim to guarantee that various items of equipment get on well with one another in today's world, where there are so many different kinds of communication taking place.

Accredited and service-oriented

TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH assists manufactures, dealers, importer- and exporter companies as they take the specified steps for obtaining the CE marking and beyond - leading to a competitive edge in international markets. For this purpose, TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH has been designated by authorities such as the regulatory authority for telecommunications and post (Reg TP) as a "competent body" within the meaning of the electromagnetic compatibility legislation, while it is also listed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) as well as being a member of the VCCI (Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment). This gives the TÜV (Technical Monitoring Board) experts authorisation to carry out the required examinations at European an d international levels.

	EMC-test		Electromagnetic fields
	FCC Standard