Technical Guidance Note 1

Technical Guidance Note 14

TOPIC: Mains & DC Powered Panel Printers

ISSUE: 2

REVISION DATE: 27.1.98

PREVIOUS REVISION DATE: 11.11.94

BACKGROUND: A manufacturer of mains and dc powered panel printers wishes to know if he has to obtain CE marking for these products. They are sold from a catalogue and produced only for the purpose of being used with a higher assembly, but, being sold by catalogue, are effectively placed on the market.

PROBLEM: Are these products classed as components and therefore exempt from the requirements of the EMC Directive?

GUIDELINES: Regulation 7 of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations states that:

"Electrical Apparatus-

(a) consists of a product with intrinsic function intended for the end user, and (b) is supplied or intended for supply or taken into service or intended to be taken into service as a single commercial unit ".

It can be argued that panel meters and printers do provide an intrinsic function intended for the end user. However, products that can only be supplied to OEM's are not taken into service as a single commercial unit but are instead incorporated into larger systems. Therefore panel meters and printers destined for supply only to OEM's can be classed as components that are beyond the scope of the EMC Directive.

Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability can be accepted by the EMC Test Laboratories Association or any of its officers or members for the contents, specifications and/or advice referred to or contained in this Technical Memorandum and/or action taken as a result of information contained in this Technical Memorandum. Note that:
1. The Association is not by supplying this Technical Memorandum providing professional advice or guidance to any specific party on any specific matter and no legal relationship is created by the provision of this Technical Memorandum.
2. Parties should take specific advice when dealing with specific situations and consult their own professional advisors in this regard.
3. Members are free to deviate from the above guidelines where they think it appropriate, unworkable, or not commercially viable. Under these circumstances, the EMCTLA Secretariat should be informed of the reasons for the deviation so that the matter can be reviewed.