General

            This information leaflet is intended for manufacturers of electrical equipment covered by the Low voltage Directive (73/23/EEC).

What is covered by the directive?

            The directive defines low voltage equipment as being:

            ".. products intended to be used at a nominal ac-voltage between 50V and 1000V (or a dc-voltage between 75V and 1500V).."

            The scope of the definitions above is comprehensive. However, the directive excludes a number of product-categories, such as kWh-meters, plugs and sockets and elevator-installations.

            If the risks associated with an appliance are primarily of an electrical nature, the Low Voltage Directive is exclusively applicable. Motor-operated electrical appliances, which can be considered a machine, with electrical as well as mechanical hazards, are covered by both the Low Voltage Directive and Machinery-Directive.

            A number of typically electrical devices may be covered by specific EU-Directives, e.g. for Active Implantable Devices and for Telecommunication Terminal Equipment special directives have been issued. For most electrical equipment the requirements of the EMC-Directive are to be considered.

When did the directive come into force?

            The Low Voltage directive is one of the first EU-Directives; it was adopted in 1973. Although the New Approach had not yet been developed, the basic principle of the directive is identical to that of the New Approach, i.e. generally formulated essential requirements concerning the electrical safety of products.

            The present Low Voltage Directive has come into force on January 1st, 1995, after which there has been a two-year transition period, in which CE Marking is allowed. Starting January 1st, 1997, CE marking on low voltage equipment is mandatory.

Low Voltage Directive and CE marking

            The 1973 Low Voltage Directive did not provide for the application of CE marking (thet marking did not exist yet). An amendment to the Low Voltage Directive was adopted in July 1993. As a result, electrical appliances and installations covered by the directive are required to bear the CE marking since then.

            Components of electrical appliances and installations may or may not be provided with the CE marking. Components with a self-supporting way of functioning are advised to be marked with the CE Marking. Components without self-supporting way of functioning may be for general use or for specific use. Components for general use are advised to be marked with the CE marking. In every case with components with or without CE marking, the Technical Construction File and the Declaration of Conformity shall specify which Directive was considered applicable and which standard was used to demonstrate compliance with essential requirements.

            Manufacturers may use components without CE marking in their appliances and installations on the condition that compliance with all relevant essential requirements of the overall assembly can be demonstrated.

Conformity Assessment Modules

            In principle Module A applies. It shall be considered that Module B applies in the case of electrical machines with a high safety-risk, as stipulated in the Machinery Directive.

            Harmonized technical standards on many electrical appliances, issued by CENELEC on the basis of IEC-standards, include stipulations concerning electrical safety (as required by the Low Voltage Directive) as well as mechanical hazards (as required by the Machinery Directive). Therefore, if these standards are complied with, it may be assumed that the essential requirements of both the Low Voltage Directive and the Machinery Directive are met.

CEBEC and CE Marking

            Many electrical products in Belgium bear the CEBEC certification mark. The government of Belgium designated CEBEC as a voluntary mark in 1977. At that time, products bearing the CEBEC mark were legally assumed to conform with the requirements of the 1973 Low Voltage Directive.

            The technical requirements for the CEBEC mark are based on harmonized standards on safety. Therefore, electrical products that meet the CEBEC requirements also meet the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive. It must be considered that most electrical products need also to comply with the EMC-Directive.

            In the course of history, the CEBEC mark has developed itself into an equivalent for safety. The mark is requested by consumers requiring absolute safety of the individual product.

The mark is also requested by clients in the business-to-business market, requiring assurance that the product remains unchanged and in accordance with the requirements on a continuous basis.

CEBEC indicates:

• safety, in accordance with harmonized standards,

• periodic inspections of products and production,

• certification by a reliable, independent, institute

            In the Low Voltage Directive CE Marking indicates safety, in accordance with essential requirements, stated by the manufacturer.  

CEBEC

            CEBEC has been appointed as a Notified Body in the scope of the Low Voltage Directive under the number 0649. Although this is not a mandatory requirement (Module A), manufacturers whose products can be considered as "high-risk" often apply to CEBEC for type testing and third party certification.

Information

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