|
| |
Imminent Changes to the EMC Directive – The SLIM Initiative
9.00 – 9.45am
The Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative recently
produced a report with recommendations on how to improve and simplify
the EMC Directive. The European Commission is keen to implement the
recommendations which will result in important modifications to the EMC
Directive. David Imeson, Chairman of the European Association of Competent
Bodies, and a member of the European Commission EMC ‘Think Tank’ and
EMC Working Party, will present an update on these important developments
which will have major impact on EMC conformity assessment in Australia.
Over 20 recommendations for change have been made:
> Installations
> Large machines
> EMC and Functional Safety
> The future of Technical Constructional Files and the role of Competent Bodies.
> EMC environments – definition
> Conditions of, and intended use
> Guidelines – adoption into the EMC Directive?
> Legal Definitions – components, direct function, finished product
> Reducing the number of standards, frequent amendments
> Problem standards – EN61000-3-2 (harmonics), EN61800-3 (variable speed drives)
EMC Directive Guidance Document
9.45–10.30am
This EMC Directive Guidelines Document was prepared by the European
Commission DGIII in collaboration with experts from the member states and
other stakeholders. The document of over 100 pages, is an indispensable
“EMC Manual” for all persons involved with EMC including EMC experts and
novices alike, Test Houses, Competent Bodies and manufacturers. It provides
interpretations, and explains and clarifies important aspects in the application
of the EMC Directive. A copy of the EC Guidance Document will be provided
to all participants. David Imeson was a member of the group that produced
this EMC Directive “bible”. The discussion will include:
EMC Legislation
> EMC Directive – 89/336/EEC, EMC Working Party ‘Think Tank’
> ECACB – co-ordination of EC Competent Products
> Update on Enforcement Activities, EMC standardisation
EMC Directive 89/336/EEC – Implementation Problems to Date
> SLIM initiative-restructuring the EMC Directive
> Installation of Machines
> Environments
> Essential Requirements,
> Conformity Assessment Procedure
Definitions
> placing on the market, into service
> Manufacturer, authorised representative
> Responsible person
> Finished product
> Component
> Direct Function
Application of EMC Directive to…
> Apparatus
> Components – Direct/indirect function
> Systems
> Machines
> Installation
> CE Marking requirements
> Used, second hand, repaired apparatus
> Conformity assessment procedures
EMC and Other Directives
> TTE
> Radio Equipment
> Machines
> Motor Vehicles, Civil Aircraft
> Medical Devices
> Marine Equipment
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive R & TTE
11.00
Radio and Telecommunications approvals have always been very onerous for
manufacturers, particularly for those outside Europe. The new R & TTE
Directive is the most significant de-regulation published by the EU. Listed in
Official Journal in April 1999, it radically changes the way radio and
telecommunications equipment is approved by introducing a harmonised
standards or self-certification scheme. Australian suppliers will now be able
to self declare compliance with a single approval for all EU countries. But, is
it as good as it seems?
Introduction to R & TTE
> Existing TTE and Radio Regulations
> Objective of R & TTE
Implementation of R & TTE
> Implementation and transition dates
> TTE and Satellite Earth Station Directives
> 15 approval regimes become 1
> Elements of EMC, LVD, EMR
Essential Requirements of R & TTE
> Health and Safety, EMC, LVD, EMR
> Radio Equipment, spectrum usage, EMC
> Telecommunications equipment, interface requirements
> Personal data protection, harm to the network, avoidance of fraud
> Emergency services, disabled access
Equipment Notification> Use of non harmonised frequency bands
> Effect on existing national licensing regimes
Conformity Assessment Procedures
> 4 routes to compliance, is DoC possible?
> New role for Notified Bodies, marking Requirements
Implications of R & TTE on Manufacturers
> Benefits to manufacturers, test once locally
> Increased liability? public and OH & S issues
> Warnings to users, re-assessment of existing products
The EU–US MRA Agreement
11.45–12.15am
A primary element in the European new approach to Conformity Assessment
is the negotiation of bilateral mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with
their major trading partners. To date, the EU has negotiated MRAs with the
US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The EU/US MRA on Conformity Assessment has been completed and the
transition period has begun. Reciprocal conformity assessment procedures
have been determined and the implementation mechanisms are nearing
completion. The appointment of CABs and TCBs is imminent.
How will the EU/US MRA effect Australian Industry?
While the MRA does not directly effect Australian stakeholders, the indirect
effects may have a major impact on Australian industry and on the conformance
testing industry. A good understanding of the MRA and the related issues will
benefit all Australian stakeholders. David Imeson is a member of the EU
delegation to the US in the MRA negotiations. As one of the key players in the
negotiations, he has an intimate knowledge of the technical aspects of the
MRA and its implementation.
Question and Answers – Open Discussion
12.15 – 12.30 pm
Lunch
12.30 – 1.30pm
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP SESSION
|
The Technical Construction File (TCF)
1.30 – 3.30pm
The TCF is normally used to demonstrate product compliance with the EMC
Directive where Harmonised Standards are not applied. Careful design of the
file will support compliance for a range of products and keep testing to a
minimum. The prudent use of OEM devices with existing CE marking can
further reduce or even eliminate testing requirements.
David Imeson will present detailed information on the TCF route to compliance.
Drawing on his many years of experience as an EMC expert consultant and
chairman of the European Competent Bodies Association, he will present in
detail, many different case histories of TCFs. This will be an interactive session
where participants will be able to present questions on their own TCFs. Each
participant should be able to prepare a draft of their own TCF and will receive
a copy of a TCF that has been approved by the chairman of the EC Competent
Bodies Association.
Objectives
To enable companies to know:
> When to select this route to compliance
> How to compile a TCF
> How to relate to a Competent Body
Who should attend?
Companies who need to understand what the TCF can do for them and how
to plan and build their own TCF, EMC professionals, CABs, and CBs.
1 EMC Legislation
– EMC Directive, other EMC Directives, the SLIM Initiative.
2 When/Why do a TCF?
– Because there are no standards, product too large, too complex,
too many variants, the “no-test” TCF
– The product fails the standards.
3 The structure and content of a TCF
– Documents, relevant testing, process, competent bodies
4 Relevant Standards
– Where testing is used what standards are relevant?
5 Controlling a TCF
– On-going compliance, making your TCF a “living document”
6 Case Studies – Detailed Examples of TCFs
– A very large Installation, typical industrial installation, large machine,
production line, agricultural vehicle, backup generator for a telephone
exchange, IT equipment, a “Component”, your own TCF
EMC Testing, Emissions and Immunity for TCF Purposes
3.45 – 5.00pm
Chris Zombolas, Technical Director, EMC Technologies Pty. Ltd.
NATA Testing, Competent Body, Conformity Assessment Body
Objectives
To provide an overview of the principal EMC tests and to give an understanding
of EMC test equipment and facilities. Participants will be able to evaluate
requirements for their company for in-house testing. They will gain practical
experience in carrying out EMC tests and the confidence to carry out testing
on their own products.
Who should attend?
Those who need to:
> Establish in-house facilities
> Decide between in-house facilities and third party test houses
> Technical persons responsible for carrying out, supervising or witnessing
EMC tests
> Competent bodies, conformity assessment bodies and existing ones.
EMC Testing – Compliance and Precompliance
> Understand and operate EMC test equipment – spectrum analysers,
antennas, current probes, LISN, preamplifiers, etc.
> Construct and use your own low cost EMC diagnostic tools
> Construct your own conducted and radiated test sites
> Perform you own emission and immunity tests
> Make best use of your equipment budget to select the most appropriate
EMC precompliance test equipment to suit your needs. |
|
