European Union (EU) 'Directive 2014/35 on .. electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits' (LVD)

The European Union (EU) ‘Directive 2014/35 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits’ establishes rules for the safety of electrical equipment. Exemptions from the scope of this directive are listed in Annex II, such as electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres or on ships, aircrafts or railways. The phenomenon of radio-electrical interference is excluded from the directives scope as well. However, this means that the legislation relevant for such exemptions must be applied where applicable. Manufacturers have to ensure that electrical equipment design and manufacture is in accordance with the ‘safety objectives’ referred to in Article 3 and set out in Annex I. Moreover, manufacturers shall prepare a technical documentation and adequate product marking (including type, batch or serial number and manufacturer information). Annex I of the Directive stipulates ‘principal elements of the safety objectives for electrical equipment..’, sorted by ‘General Conditions’, ‘Protection against hazards arising from the electrical equipment / which may be caused by external influences on the electrical equipment’. ‘Electrical equipment which is in conformity with harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union shall be presumed to be in conformity with the safety objectives referred to in Article 3 and set out in Annex I covered by those standards or parts thereof’*. *Source: ‘Directive 2014/35 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits’; Article 12. Contact us if you need any support with the Conformity Assessment procedure for your electrical equipment in accordance with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). As “Notified Body” for various EU directives, TÜV Rheinland is authorized to provide you with services in respect of many European legislations.