What is Product Safety?

Product safety is the ability of a product to be safe for intended use, as determined when evaluated against a set of established rules.

Why is it necessary?

It is unlikely that anyone would deliberately place an unsafe product on the market, but what is meant by safe?

The legislation sets out clear test and documentary requirements that manufacturers and distributors placing equipment on the European market, must follow to demonstrate that their products meet defined safety criteria and are safe for intended use. Evidence that the prescribed legislation has been conformed with can be demanded by the enforcement authorities (Trading Standards, HSE etc.), within strict timeframes (normally 48 hours).

What are the legalities?

In the UK and Europe, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations and Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU applies to the majority of electrical equipment in use at home, the office or industry. The LVD / Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations require that electrical equipment can only be placed on the market if it does not endanger the safety of persons, property or domestic animals.

The LVD / Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations are applicable, with a few exceptions, to any electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V for alternating current (A.C.) and between 75 and 1500 V for direct current (D.C). In the UK, this European law is implemented by Statutory Instrument 3260 (SI 3260).

The CE Mark is a mandatory symbol of compliance with all relevant directives (unless in transition) Therefore, if your product operates within the specified voltage range then conformance with the LVD is likely to be required.

Finally it must be understood that the LVD is a “test” directive and that it is a requirement that a safety test report is included in the Technical File (see How can we help section).

Reducing the risk?

The best way to minimise the risk of not meeting the LVD is to ensure that at the design stage the product development takes account of any relevant harmonised safety standards and the Principle Safety Objectives of the Directive. It is also prudent for it to have an independent Basic Safety Assessment (BSA) conducted at prototype stage to check the design is likely to meet the requirements before committing to volume manufacture. Importers can also find a BSA a very useful tool in helping to establish the accuracy or otherwise of test reports from outside of the EU.

Choosing Suitable Components

Information on Choosing Suitable Components

How can we help?

RN Electronics Ltd can help you meet the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) / Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations. There are four key mandatory aspects needed to demonstrate conformity to the LVD has been meet, these are:

• The Technical File, containing:
• The Safety Test Report
• The manufacturers Declaration of Conformity (DOC)
• Continued Conformity process.

RN Electronics can support the entire process to ensure the equipment, documentation and processes comply. We can identify the correct safety standards to apply and provide the independent test and assessment documentation via reports and certificates to ensure that any review of your Technical File is satisfied.

In particular, we can assist with Technical File compilation, LVD related advice for quality management systems, safety test and assessment (full or partial) and consultancy.

Find out more about our Safety testing services or contact RN Electronics an established, cost effective, knowledgeable and complete service solution.