Setting the standards-the European EMC Directive

It is a peculiarity of electrical and electromagnetic equipment that it is capable of interfering with the operation of other such equipment at a distance. This mysterious property of electromagnetic radiation, which underlies radio and all its related technologies, needs to be carefully controlled if radio, telecommunications, electrical and electronic equipment is to coexist safely. Such control can only be imposed by the state, and with the impending single European market is is obviously desirable that all states in the European Community should aim for the same standards. The author describes how, to this end, the member states have agreed on a directive covering electromagnetic compatibility of equipment which is to be known as the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC