EU Vehicle Directive.

[kc]

The following is taken from the raynet site & will be posted on the CB, Amateur Radio & PMR pages.

This directive affects anyone using radio transmission equipment in a car, be it amateur radio equipment, PMR or mobile phones.

You may have seen recent television coverage given to the EU directive 95/54/EC commonly referred to as the "e" mark.

The following text was supplied by the RA and is taken from PBR News Issue 15; it explains the implications of this Directive.

Cars and trucks today are very sophisticated compared with even the recent past, and many have electronic systems that require safeguarding to ensure that they do not cause interference to braking and speed control systems.

In October 1995, the European Commission (EC) issued a directive (95/54/EC) with the aim of improving safety by minimising the risk of interference to essential electronic systems in vehicles.

The Directive states that all four-wheel vehicles (other than tractors and mobile machinery) with a design speed greater than 25kph will need to meet suitable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and this includes electronic/electrical sub-assemblies fitted to vehicles. Equipment that meets these EMC standards is marked with an "e" mark. The "e" mark should not be confused with the "CE" mark, which is for general equipment and requires conformity to a number of different standards. Since 1995 it has been acceptable to certify automotive equipment with the "CE" mark, but this will not be allowed after October 2002.

This indicates that no new car built after October 2002 can be fitted with a radio transceiver that produces radio emissions, unless that equipment has an "e" mark. This presents a number of problems, not least if a mobile radio user acquires a new car it will not be acceptable to transfer the old radio to the new vehicle, unless it has the "e" mark, a fact that could cause considerable hardship to some businesses.

As RA is currently unaware of any manufacturers who are making "e" marked equipment, the radio industry and its users should be aware the 95/54/EC exists, and that implementation day is not too far distant. When this Directive was introduced, 2002 seemed a long way away, so maybe preparations have been delayed. In 1996, it wasn't clear what the Directive meant, and it has only recently become clear that it will have very wide implications.

Radios are not the only devices affected by this Directive as it applies to all electric/electronic equipment. RA does not have all the answers, but along with other government bodies we are working on guidance and clarification for industry, and this will follow in due course.

[Andy]

Gah! More interference and meddling from the blimmin' EU. I wasn't aware of any major problems with RF in cars, were you? I suspect this is just another way for the EU to tighten its grip on our lives and probably grab a bit more tax in the processs.

[Guzzy]

As I posted in the CB forum. It says it came into effect 4 years ago. So what effects has it had?

It's 4 years old and this is the first I've heard about it.

Jon

[Sandhound]

This indicates that no new car built after October 2002 can be fitted with a radio transceiver that produces radio emissions, unless that equipment has an "e" mark.

G'day kc.

Wrong. Not even a standard Receiver or any add ons.

This presents a number of problems, not least if a mobile radio user acquires a new car it will not be acceptable to transfer the old radio to the new vehicle, unless it has the "e" mark, a fact that could cause considerable hardship to some businesses.

You can buy a new car/van/lorry and transfer the old TX/RX into it if the TX/RX was purchased before the new vehicle (October 2002).
If the TX/RX was purchased after or with the new vehicle then an 'e' mark has to be stamped on the TX/RX equipment, and fitted by a qualified fitter that has the paper work to allow such task to be undertaken. The general public are not permitted, unless there has been a new clause added to the directive.
Equipment with only the 'CE' mark may be fitted by anybody to vehicles registered before 01/10/2002.

Information in good faith.