§ 237 Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED)

The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) is a New Approach Directive, aligned to the New Legislative Framework, which ensures a single market for radio equipment by setting essential requirements for safety and health, electromagnetic compatibility and the efficient use of the radio spectrum: this applies to all products using the radio frequency spectrum.

Directive 2014/53/EU is applicable from 13 June 2016 and it is the result of the revision of the previous Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment Directive 1999/5/EC.

Equipment in the scope of RED have to comply with the essential health and safety requirements of the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU when intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, making reference in particular to their "electrical" characteristics, to prevent any potential ignition points by sparks or similar (see also section § 255 on Wi-Fi access points, and the "Borderline list - ATEX products").

A point to provide guidance on non-radio products functioning with radio equipment, with different aspects potentially of interest also for ATEX related to risk assessment, EU declaration of conformity, CE marking etc., is currently under discussion at the relevant working parties under the Radio Equipment Directive.