Technical Guidance Note 38

TOPIC: Classification of Products

ISSUE: 1

REVISION DATE:

FIRST DRAFT DATE: 6.11.98

BACKGROUND: Problems experienced by manufacturers to determine the relevant standard for their product.

PROBLEM:

It is not always clear which standard to apply.
In some cases manufacturers wish to use a specific standard that requires less testing than the one which is relevant to their product.

GUIDELINES:

This problem is usually encountered when a manufacturer wishes to classify a product as ITE in order to use EN 55022 Class A rather than EN 50081-1 which only allows Class B. Provided the manufacturer can show that the product has a microprocessor that is processing data and also that the product does not clearly fall within the definition of another product specific standard then it is reasonable to claim that it falls within the ITE definition. By this reasoning a washing machine could not be ITE as it is clearly a household appliance. A controller for a petrol pump could be ITE as it collects and processes data.

Laboratories are also referred to the "CENELEC Guidance on the use of standards for the implementation of the EMC Directive" CLC (PERM) 009. The latest version is CLC/TC210 (Sec) 109.

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.