Current information on the conformity of radio equipment

The European Commission has adopted a new  concerning Article 3(3), points (d), (e) and (f) of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). The Regulation lays down information security requirements for radio equipment covered by the RED, including internet-connected equipment, toys, equipment for childcare and wearable equipment. The new requirements protect networks, improve the protection of consumers’ privacy and reduce the risk of monetary fraud committed using internet-connected equipment. 

The Regulation provides for a transition period for equipment manufacturers. The intended start date of the application of information security requirements in Regulation 2022/30 was 1 August 2024. The European Commission has now, with an even newer Regulation 2023/2444, postponed the application deadline by a year in order to give more time for the preparation of technical standards for information security requirements. Radio equipment to be placed on the EU market must comply with information security requirements from 1 August 2025.

The Commission has earlier adopted a Regulation concerning Article 3(3)(g) of the RED. The objective of the Regulation is to improve the positioning of emergency callers when calls are made with smartphones. Smartphones must be able to receive and process Wi-Fi data and data from Global Navigation Satellite Systems. They must be compatible with at least the European Galileo system. The Regulation provided for a transition period for equipment manufacturers. The requirements have applied to smartphones placed on the EU market as from 17 March 2022.

The aim of the new requirements is to improve the convenience of use of the equipment for the users, reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronical equipment and prevent the fragmentation of the market with regard to charging interfaces and protocols.

Both new technical requirements as well as requirements on the documents and labelling of the equipment are placed on the equipment within the scope of application of the new requirements. The equipment manufacturers must take the new requirements into account in their manufacture. Requirements on distance selling are also included as new requirements. In the future, in distance selling the information on the price of the equipment must include labels with the aim of ensuring that the end-users are provided with information on the charging capabilities of the equipment and whether a charging device is included with the equipment. Therefore, when the new requirements enter into force, consumers should check whether a charger is included with it when buying equipment as well as the information on the charging capabilities of the equipment.

The Radio Equipment Directive RED 2014/53/EU has been amended by the Directive 2022/2380; the change entered into force in December 2022. In addition, Regulation 2023/1717 has been issued; it updates the references to the technical standard for wired charging. The Regulation entered into force in July 2023. The changes required amendment of the national regulations (especially chapter 30, Act on Electronic Communications Services).  

Further information related to the changes can be found below. More detailed information on the new requirements is available in the regulations mentioned. The Commission has published a document on guidance for the interpretation of the new requirements that includes more information on the topic. Manufacturers, importers and sellers in particular should review the guidance.

The manufacturers, importers and distributors are tasked with ensuring that there is only equipment that complies with the requirements on the market.

The new requirements apply to the following groups of radio equipment subject to RED (if the equipment can be recharged by means of wired charging):

• Handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops.

Radio equipment entering the EU market must meet the new requirements starting from 28 December 2024 with regard to other equipment groups, and laptops starting from 28 April 2026.

The equipment manufacturer must ensure that the equipment meets the new technical requirements concerning RED Article 3(4) specifying, among other things, that:

• the equipment must have a USB-C charging receptacle
• if the equipment supports fast charging, it must have at least the USB Power Delivery charging protocol
• see especially RED, Article 3(4) and Annex Ia, Part I as well as Regulation 2023/1717, which has updated references to standards. RED, Article 17(2) defines the methods with which the manufacturer can confirm conformity with the requirements regarding the new Article 3(4).

Economic operators (e.g. the manufacturer, the importer, the distributor/seller) must offer consumers and other end-users an option to buy radio equipment without a charger (“mandatory unbundling”).

When economic operators make equipment available to consumers and other end-users, they must ensure that information on whether there is a charger included with the radio equipment is indicated by the pictogram referred to in RED, Annex Ia, Part III.

• The pictogram must be printed on the packaging or affixed to the packaging as a sticker. The pictogram must be displayed in a visible and legible manner and, in the case of distance selling, close to the price indication.

Technical information related to the charging capabilities and compatible charging devices of the equipment:

• The equipment manufacturer must ensure that the instructions include the information specified in RED Annex Ia, Part II at least in Finnish and Swedish. Other economic operators must also ensure that the required instructions are provided with the equipment.
• When economic operators make the equipment available to consumers and other end-users, the information must also be presented in the label in accordance with RED, Annex Ia, Part IV.
  • The label must be printed in the instructions and on the packaging or affixed to the packaging as a sticker. In the absence of packaging, the sticker with the label is affixed to the radio equipment. When the radio equipment is made available to consumers and other end-users, the label must be displayed in a visible and legible manner and, in the case of distance selling, close to the price indication. Where the size or nature of the radio equipment does not allow otherwise, the label may be printed as a separate document accompanying the radio equipment.

Further information on the conformity of radio equipment with the requirements and the obligations of economic operators

More information on the website of the European Commission