The EMC Directive: a pragmatic approach

The EMC law stems from a European Union Directive, originally made on 3 May 1989, Directive number 89/336/EEC and titled `The approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to Electromagnetic Compatibility´. Although it is important to have an understanding of the complete document, a feel for compliance can be found in reading only four articles. The source of legislation within the United Kingdom is the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations which came into force on the 28th October 1992 (Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 2372). This was amended by the Electromagnetic Compatibility (Amendment) Regulations 1994 (Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 3080) which came into force on the 2nd December 1994 and the Electromagnetic Compatibility (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 3180) which came into force on the 1st January 1996. These regulations detail the mandatory requirements in complying with the EMC Directive and affixing the CE mark for manufacturers and importers