Hello to all,
First, thank you to those that responded. I felt that the information
provided to me should also be presented to the groups. My initial inquiry
was to ask for anyone's assistance in finding a few convenient sources for
procuring any EU Directive. Media preferences were to be either printed or
on CD-ROM.
Of the 8 respondents, 5 responded privately. The sources listed below were
solely contained in the responses I received. I have also thrown in my 2
cents worth at the end.
------------------------------
1. U.S.Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Office of European Union and Regional Affairs, Washington, DC
Tel: 202-482-5276, Fax: 202-482-2511
Printed matter is typically sent for shipping cost only.
2. Standards Sales Group (SGS)
- located in Hesperia, CA, 619-947-6100. Ask for Rolf Burkhardt.
- 20025 highway 18, Apple Valley, CA 92307-2639
Tel: 619-946-0500, Fax: 619-946-2999
3. Try European Regulatory and Policy Documents from Horrocks Technology at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Horrocks_Technology.
EC documents on floppy disk or CD ROM. Not only do you get the
Directives, you
get them with all the updates worked in.
4. Global Engineering Documents, 800-854-7179 and 800-854-9000.
5. European Document Research in Wash, DC. 202/785-8594.
6. All directives are published in the L series of the Official Journal of
the European
Communities. These can be obtained from Her Majesties Stationery Office
(HMSO), 51, Nine Elms Lane, London, SW8 5DR, UK
Tel +44 171 873 8409, Fax +44 171 873 8463
------------------------------
Now for my 2 cents worth.
One respondent said that the EU Directives are very expensive (about 1200
bucks EACH!!!) and referred to them as several pounds of very, very costly,
obsolete or irrelevant paper. It was also mentioned that none of the usual
sources can help you find out what directives you need and about all you can
do is ask for and then study the list of titles, and make your best guess.
It was also said that there are LOTS of people who will wait till you've
invested $50,000 in testing - then tell you you used the wrong standard and
have to start over again.
To this respondent and to all of those out there with similar experiences, I
have to say this, it sounds like you have had some frustrating encounters
with some possibly unscrupulous people. However, it is always ideal to "do
things right the 1st time" and to achieve this, it's imperative not to
"guess" at any time throughout the approval process. To guess indicates, at
least to me, a lack of knowledge of the particular product classification
that's being pursued (akin to not having a defined destination when
traveling). To establish that a particular standard/directive/etc. applies,
check with at least one approval authority before the process has begun, and
get their recommendations in writing. If you're still not sure or feel
uncomfortable with those recommendations, go to another approval authority
(after all, you don't go into surgery without getting a 2nd opinion first,
right?). A little time spent in preparation before a project starts is well
worth its cost. Ultimately, the final responsibility rests on the
manufacturer/integrator to get everything into place and to develop a test
plan and stick with it. Also, there are a number of very respectable,
knowledgeable and informed compliance individuals in the TREG and EMC-PSTS
forums and elsewhere. It is not my place to speak for them, but I'm sure
they would provide some assistance answering questions, etc., after all
discussion is what these open forums are all about. However, I am also sure
that their opinions would be only that, unless their consulting/advisory
services were, in fact, enlisted. After all, that's why they're in the
business. But remember, always get a second opinion if you're unsure.
In addition, if you're paying huge amounts for any directive, you're
probably being taken advantage of. And, I am not aware of any standard
(safety, EMC or otherwise) that approaches a $1200 price tag.
For what it's worth, that was my 2 cents (well, maybe 5 cents). I may have
been stating the obvious, but I think it was important to say anyway.
Again, thank you to all that responded and I hope this information is useful
to you all.
Ron Pickard
[email protected]
