COMPANY NEWS

Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU: recent changes
The new Low Voltage Directive (LVD) has been issued as a consequence of the New Legislative Framework Decision No 768/2008/EC establishing a common framework for the manufacturing of products. This decision contains a “toolbox” for future legislation and is meant to be used when new or revised Directives are developed and to avoid inconsistency among them. It was published in the Official Journal of the European Commission on the February 26th 2014 and it will be applicable from April 20th 2016 (with two years transition period).
What does it apply for?
The directive applies to all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current or between 75 and 1500 V for direct current.
What are the main clarifications and changes?
The scope of the Low Voltage Directive has changed to now also include the protection of health of people, animals, and property. It covers all risks arising from the use of electrical equipment, not just electrical ones but also mechanical or chemical in nature, or risks to health caused by noise, vibrations, or ergonomic factors
There’s no longer an option for intervention of a Notified Body Market surveillance procedures have been added The manufacturer is solely responsible for preparation of the documentation for the CE marking and draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) with covering all Union acts relevant to the product and finally he is responsible for affixing the CE marking The manufacturer shall now only keep the documentation and DoC for 10 years after placing the actual product on the market
The DoC shall be translated into the languages required by the member state(s), where the product is sold Internal production control is the conformity assessment procedure The technical documentation must now also include analysis and assessment of the risk associated with the product.