Guidelines on the application of
Directive 73/23/EEC and Annex I, II
Low Voltage Electrical Equipment
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CONTENTS
- Introduction
- The "Low Voltage" Directive
- Scope of the "Low Voltage" Directive
- Safety requirements for placing on the EU market electrical equipment covered by the
"Low Voltage" Directive
- Conformity Assessment Procedures under the "Low Voltage" Directive
- Relationship between the "Low Voltage" Directive and certain other Community Directives
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I. INTRODUCTION
- These guidelines have been prepared with a view to assist all parties directly or indirectly involved in the application of Directive 73/23/EEC, the "Low Voltage" Directive. They supersede guidance on the application of that Directive which was given in the Commission's communication of 15 December 1981.
They have been drawn up by European Commission services and discussed with a Working Party of Government Experts, representatives of European industry and European standardisation bodies. These guidelines reflect the consensus views reached between Commission services and representatives of the Member States in the Working Party.
- Readers' attention is drawn to the fact that this Guide is intended only for facilitating the application of the "Low Voltage" Directive and it is the text of the Directive which is legally binding.
This document is not a legally binding interpretation of the Directive. However, it represents a reference for ensuring consistent application of the Directive by all those involved.
- These guidelines are not exhaustive: they focus on certain issues only, which, in the light of the experience, are of direct and specific interest for the application of the "Low Voltage" Directive. They are intended to complement the "Guide to the implementation of Community harmonisation directives": published for the first time by the Commission in 1994, as far as issues related in particular to the application of this Directive are concerned. In particular, for the definitions of concepts like "placing on the market", "manufacturer", authorised representative", "importer or person responsible for placing the product on the market", the Guide mentioned above should be consulted.
The issues covered by these guidelines are:
- the scope of the "Low Voltage" Directive
- the safety requirements applicable
- the conformity assessment procedure applicable, including CE marking
- the relationships with certain other Directives.
- Reader’s attention is drawn to the fact that certain products subject to the "Low Voltage" Directive are also subject to other directives. In order to be allowed on the EC market these products must comply also with the provisions of those directives. These guidelines refer to the application of the "Low Voltage" Directive and clarify the relationship between that Directive and certain other directives.
II. THE "LOW VOLTAGE" DIRECTIVE
III. SCOPE OF THE "LOW VOLTAGE" DIRECTIVE
- Which products are covered?
- Are "components" included in the scope?
- Which safety aspects are covered by the Directive?
IV. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACING ON THE EU MARKET ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT COVERED BY THE "LOW VOLTAGE" DIRECTIVE
- Which are the mandatory safety requirements applicable in the EU?
- How to ensure conformity to those requirements?
V. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES UNDER THE "LOW VOLTAGE" DIRECTIVE
- What are the conformity assessment procedures to be applied?
- What must be included in the technical documentation?
- Who must keep the technical documentation and where?
- This technical documentation must be kept within the Community.
- Where must the CE marking be affixed?
- What are the meaning of, and requirements for the CE marking?
- Who must keep the declaration of conformity and where?
- What must be included in the declaration of conformity?
VI. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE "LOW VOLTAGE" DIRECTIVE AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMUNITY DIRECTIVES
- What are the requirements applicable to electrical equipment which is also a "machine" (within the meaning of the "Machinery Directive")?
- What are the requirements applicable to electrical equipment which is intended for hire permanently incorporated in construction works?
- What is the relation with the "Telecommunication Terminal Equipment" and "Satellites" directives
- What is the relation with the "Gas Appliances" Directive
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