The "Basic" EMC standards, ie EN 61000-4 series (or at least some of them), are harmonised and are published as EN documents in each member state. They are not in themselves, however, designated for use under the scope of the European EMC directive.
The use of these "basic" standards is entirely by reference made to them by other product specific or product generic standards which are designated for use through the official journal. The most obvious example of this, with respect to the EN 61000-4 series, is the latest (1997) version of the generic immunity standard, EN 50 082-1. This standard makes reference to various of the EN 61000-4 series and calls upon the use of the test methods, etc described in these basic standards. When deciding on which EMC standards to apply to a particular product for EMC compliance, you should always start with the product specific standards which are designated through the Official Journal. If there are no product specifics, fall back to the most appropriate generic standards. Once these have been identified, they will tell you which basic standards you need to look at and how to apply them. If anyone would like a copy of the latest (full) list of EMC standards published in the OJ, let me know. We have this as a word document. Best regards Nick Evans Managing Director Genesys IBS Ltd Worldwide IT&T Product Design & Compliance Tel: +44 1600 710300 Fax: +44 1600 710301 Mobile: +44 385 367348 (GSM) E-mail: [email protected] (if sending attachments, please copy e-mail to our central e-mail account: [email protected]) Web: Http://www.gentel.co.uk/genesys -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris Dupres Sent: 16 June 1998 22:47 To: R. Heller Cc: emc-pstc Subject: Basic EMC Standards Hi R.Heller. You wrote: < Are basic EMC standards harmonized? I have yet to see a basic EMC standard show up in the OJ. The 61000-4 series are widely used but are not in the OJ. What gives?> Basic EMC standards must be harmonised, that is the point of national legislation coverings such things. The generic standards are EN 50081 and EN50082. In the UK they are BS EN 50081 etc. EN meaning Euronorm = harmonised. You can only meet the requirements of national legislation if you comply with harmonised standards otherwise the Common Market principle will not be relevant. The 61000 etc series are based on IEC standards to which all European States are signatory, but in many cases I don't think you can claim compliance with them in order to apply a CE mark. The EN standards , though, do call up these standards in the 'Annexes' at the back so in that respect they are relevant. Another couple of cents worth of humble opinion. Chris Dupres Surrey, UK.
