For electrical and electronic products, conformity is shown under several complementary headings: electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and substance restrictions. Each heading produces its own test report and is listed in the declaration. In translation these headings must not be confused with one another.
Declaration of conformity
The manufacturer declares that the product complies with the requirements and lists the standards applied. Standard numbers are carried over together with their years. The declaration is a set text.
Electrical safety tests
Insulation, leakage current and withstand tests are carried out and reported. The test conditions are given together with the value. The method numbers are preserved.
Electromagnetic compatibility
That the device is not affected and that it does not affect others are tested separately. The two concepts are not mixed up. The distinction between the terms is preserved.
Emissions and immunity
Radiated and conducted measurements are made by different methods and given in separate tables. The table headings are distinctive. The structure is preserved.
Structure of the test report
Reports consist of sections on the description of the device, the method and the results. The section structure is preserved. The annexes are tracked.
Product description and models
Which models the report covers is stated explicitly, and models outside the scope are kept apart. The list of models is carried over in full. The scope is preserved.
Hazardous substance restrictions
The use of certain substances is restricted, and compliance is shown by a document. The substance names and the limit values are carried over. The text of the declaration is preserved.
Material declarations
The material declarations obtained from suppliers are collected in the file and make up the chain. The documents are tracked by their numbers. The chain is preserved.
Energy efficiency requirements
Minimum efficiency values are defined for some product groups. The values have meaning together with the measurement method. The two are given together.
Standby mode consumption
The consumption of the device in off mode and in standby mode is limited and is measured. The values are carried over with their units. The conditions are preserved.
Instruction manual and warnings
Electrical warnings are mandatory and are set texts. The established equivalents are used. The warnings are not shortened.
Degrees of protection
The protection of the device against dust and water is shown by a code, and the code is standard. The code is not translated. The explanation is translated.
Voltage and frequency information
The voltage and frequency at which the device will operate vary according to the market and are written on the rating label. The values are carried over. Incompatibility leads to damage.
Plug and cable types
The plug type changes according to the socket system of the target market and is stated in the documents. The type notations are coded. They are carried over.
Cell and battery information
Products that contain batteries carry transport and disposal information. The warnings are preserved. The codes are carried over.
Software and interface texts
The device interface is translated in a separate list and may have a character limit. The limit is resolved through the design. Consistency of terms with the manual is ensured.
Recycling markings
Electronic waste symbols are mandatory and carry defined meanings. The symbols are not translated. The explanatory text is translated.
The costliest mistake in this sector
Mixing up the concepts of emissions and immunity reverses which characteristic the test report demonstrates. Even though the report is correct, the wrong match is made in the declaration and the conformity file becomes inconsistent. The two terms are fixed separately in the list.