EMC Certification for a Laser Printer - Essay Example

EMC Certification for a Laser Printer Summary Like the rest of the developed world, countries of the European Union want to ensure that electronic equipment sold and operated in the region will not present hazards to the operation of other devices and that such equipment will function correctly in an environment full of electromagnetic interference. Thus, manufacturers or marketers of electronic equipment including devices that interface with computers, such as laser printers, must now declare that their equipment satisfies the EMC criteria presented in the European Union EMC Directive. Those who present satisfactory evidence from tests about their equipment complying with the requirements of the European Union EMC Directive display the CE mark on their equipment. The European Union will not permit sale or import of non-compliant equipment in the European Union and attempts to circumvent this requirement carry fines and terms of imprisonment for those involved. Thus, it is important for all those who want to sell laser printers or other similar equipment in the European Union to understand the process for issuing a declaration of compliance with European Union EMC Directive for a product. This brief report presents a discussion about fulfilling the requirements for declaring a product as EMC compliant to display the CE mark on the product. Contents Introduction 1 EMC Assessment for European Union 4 Conclusion 11 Bibliography / References 14 List of Figures Figure 1: Summary of the Conformity Assessment Procedure for Apparatus 10 (This page intentionally left blank) Introduction In the present age of ubiquitous computing, widespread use of electronic circuits of all kind for computation, communication and automation in close proximity to each other has meant that it is now necessary to ensure that devices containing various circuits do not affect each other adversely (Ott, 2009, Pp. 1 – 10). Electronic equipment, including equipment for interfacing with computers, must now operate in the real world environment without generating electromagnetic noise to pollute the radio frequency spectrum to affect adversely other devices or malfunctioning due to the affects of radio frequency interference from devices. The electromagnetic interference phenomenon has become a serious issue for design engineers and this issue is likely to become more serious as the proliferation of devices for various uses increases. Williams (2007, Pp. 1 – 2) states that electromagnetic interference can cause safety critical control systems to malfunction and this is the reason why portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, are not permitted to be used on board aircrafts. In addition, high levels of electromagnetic energy can potentially cause harm to human health (Williams, 2007, Pp. 21). In view of the threat from electromagnetic interference, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for electronic devices is now an important design objective, with regulations enacted to ensure acceptable standards for EMC defined for electronic equipment (Williams, 2007, Pp. 1 – 2). EMC refers to the ability of a device, equipment or system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without malfunctioning due to electromagnetic interference or introducing such interference in the environment. National and regional standards related to EMC now exist in nearly all developed countries of the world, including the European Union, with mutual agreements indicating acceptance for EMC standards from other countries or regions. In the European Union, a number of directives of the European Parliament require that all electronic equipment sold in countries within the European Union comply with requirements for EMC laid down in these directives (Williams, 2007, Pp. 24 – 41). The first ECM directive from the European Union, the 89/336/EEC, became operational in 1996 and other directives including the 2004/108/EC, which repealed the earlier directive from 20 July 2007, followed this (Williams, 2007, Pp. 1 – 2). Additional directives, such as the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC), the Automotive Directive (2004/104/EC) etc provide additional EMC requirements. Having directives that are applicable throughout the European Union is good for harmonisation of standards and the European Union has reciprocal arrangements, or Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), with several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and United States of America. Thus, electronic equipment and devices manufactured in the previously mentioned countries certified to national standards for EMC is accepted as meeting the European Union standard and the other way round (The European Union, 2009, “Notified Bodies”). For computer interface devices, such as a laser printer, the European Union 2004/108/EC or its equivalent standard in another country that is included in the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) must be satisfied for all laser printers sold in the European Union. The CE mark displayed on electronic or other related products certifies that a product is compliant with the EU requirements stipulated by various European Standards, including the ECM directive (Lohbeck, 1998, Pp. 33 – 35) and (European Commission, 2007, Pp. 37 – 39). It is clear that all manufacturers wanting to sell products that interface with computers, including those that want to market laser printers, must declare that their products comply with the European Union EMC directive. Thus, it is important for laser printer manufacturers and marketers with an interest in selling laser printers in the European Union to understand the process and procedure for compliance with the European Union ECM directive, which enables them to display the CE mark on laser printers for marketing and sale in the European Union. This report presents a discussion about gaining EMC certification for laser printers intended for the European Union. EMC Assessment for European Union The European Union EMC directive requires that laser printers sold in the European Union do not cause excessive interference and remain unaffected by electromagnetic interference (ECMA, 1999, Pp. 1 – 10). A CE marking on the laser printer is in effect a statement by a manufacturer and a seller that any laser printer carrying this mark complies with the European Union EMC directive. Failure to comply with the EMC Directive is likely to result in prohibition on import, withdrawal from market if previously placed on the market and fines or short terms of imprisonment not exceeding three months for those involved in schemes to sell printers that do not comply with the European Union EMC Directive (Williams, 2007, Pp. 41 – 43). National competent authorities have been delegated the task of enforcing and administering the European Union EMC Directive in member countries. In the United Kingdom, the Department of Trade and Industry, now known as the United Kingdom Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), is the national competent authority, or the Notified Body, administering the European Union EMC Directive. The BIS administers the European Union EMC Directive and carries out market surveillance, with similar bodies in other European Union countries performing similar functions for other European countries (The European Union, 2009, “Notified Bodies”). Notified Bodies in various European countries prepare a list of private organisations considered as being capable and competent to assist in deciding if certain equipment fulfils the requirements of the European Union EMC Directive (Williams, 2007, Pp. 43 – 44). Examples of such organisations in the United Kingdom include SGS, Lloyds Register Verification Limited, 3M Product Safety EMC Laboratory and BSI Product Services etc. A complete list is available in (European Commission, 2009, “NANDO”). Organisations that are considered as being suitable to assist manufacturers, importers or other interests in gaining the CE certification will have testing laboratories that will determine if a laser printer or other device fulfils the requirements of the European EMC Directive. For a fee, the private sector testing laboratories will prepare the required documentation file, test results and declarations for presentation to the national Notified Body when required. However, manufacturers of electronic equipment can prepare the required documentation file by carrying out tests within their own laboratories with a responsible and competent person from the manufacturer signing the declaration of conformity in the documentation file maintained (William, 2007, Pp. 45 – 53). It is important to understand that manufacturers of electronic equipment do have testing laboratories and skilled expertise that can test and certify that a piece of equipment conforms to the European Union EMC Directive. Communication Certification Laboratory (2009, “CE Testing”) describes the following as being required for unintentional emissions testing under controlled electromagnetic environment of a test chamber: European Immunity Standard CISPR 24 which is Information Technology Product Specific, IEC 61000-4-2 Electrostatic Discharge, IEC 61000-4-3 Radiated Immunity, IEC 61000-4-4 Fast Transients, IEC 61000-4-5 Surge Transients, IEC 61000-4-6 Conducted Immunity, IEC 61000-4-8 Power Frequency Magnetic Field and IEC 61000-4-11 Voltage Dips, Short Interruptions and Voltage Variations etc. Additional tests for Low Voltage Safety Directive according to European Standards EN 60950, EN61010, IEC 60065, IEC 60601 are also required for a laser printer to display the CE mark, but these tests are not for EMC compliance (Communication Certification Laboratory, 2009, “CE Testing”). Testing involves sophisticated equipment including receivers, spectrum analysers, specialised antennas and shielded cables (Williams, 2007, Chapter 7). Completed files related to declaration of conformity with the European Union EMC Directive submitted to a Notified Body in a European Union country result in approval in due course, if evidence of testing is satisfactory and indicative of compliance with the requirements of the European Union Directive (Williams, 2007, Pp. 45 – 50). Files for declaration of conformity contain a general description of the apparatus that is the subject of a declaration, any electronic engineering test results supporting the declaration and a description of steps taken to meet the requirements of the EMC Directive together with statement from manufacturer, a marketer or their authorised representative in a European Union country. It is possible for the format of the declaration of conformity for a product to take any form as long as all the required information is available in the documentation (European Commission, 2007, Pp. 30 – 40). The authorised representative of a manufacturer who presents the declaration may be a person associated with a firm responsible for marketing a product in the European Union or they may be the legal representative of a manufacturing organisation who will be involved with the marketing of such equipment in the European Union. In the United Kingdom, the Notified Body is the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It is important to understand that unless a manufacturer is a major manufacturer of electronic equipment with the resources, reputation and the testing laboratories to present a declaration of compliance, it is probably better to let a recognised laboratory handle the testing and CE certification process for a piece of electronic equipment. Emission measuring instruments are very expensive and typical costs for just a receiver system are in the range of £ 15,000 – 60,000, with spectrum analysers costing about half this amount and the cost of the total test setup being in the range of £ 100,000 (Williams, 2007, Pp. 120 – 130). Thus, approved testing laboratories are often the best way to go even for medium-sized manufacturers. A Notified Body in a country does not issue a certificate of compliance to a manufacturer by making a statement about their declaration of compliance with the European Union EMC Directive for a specific electronic product marketed in the European Union (European Union, 2007, Pp. 30 – 40). It is the manufacturer or the marketer who declares that a product, which in this case is a laser printer, complies with the European Union EMC Directive and a Notified Body scrutinises their claims and supporting evidence of technical tests to present a statement about the evidence for compliance with the European Union EMC Directive appearing to be satisfactory. Thus, the implementation of the European Union EMC Directive is a way in which it is possible to ensure that electronic products made available for sale in the European Union are compliant and manufacturers lean towards designing EMC compliant products. Harmonisation of standards for the developed world ensures that a need for EMC testing arises only once for marketing to the whole of the European Union, North America, Japan and Oceania (Ott, 2009, Pp. 26 – 27). Figure 1, which is below, summarises the process of declaring conformity with the European Union EMC Directive. A manufacturer, manufacturer’s representative or a marketer is required to maintain record of a declaration of conformity for a product together with the statement issued by a Notified Body for presenting to authorities within a reasonable time on receiving a request to reproduce records related to declaration of conformity made by a government body in the European Union. A manufacturer or his authorised representative in the European Community is required to hold records related to declaration of compliance with the European Union EMC Directive for at least ten years after the date of manufacture of the last piece of equipment. Figure 1: Summary of the Conformity Assessment Procedure for Apparatus, from (European Commission, 2007, Pp. 25) According to European Union (2007, Pp. 47 – 49), a manufacturer or marketer is free to choose any Notified Body within the European Union to present their declaration of conformity for the purposes of compliance with the European Union EMC Directive and a requirement does not exist to select a body in the country of manufacture for the equipment. A Notified Body does not issue a certificate of compliance. Such bodies are to assist manufacturers, monitor the market and to ensure that manufacturers or marketers have carried out EMC testing to back their claims in support of their declaration by examining the declaration documents. An organisation of Notified Bodies established to coordinate the work of Notified Bodies throughout the European Union ensures that a declaration of compliance to any Notified Body is valid throughout the European Union. Conclusion It is clear from the previous discussion that the European Union EMC Declaration forces equipment manufacturers or those with an interest in marketing equipment in the European Union to examine if their equipment complies with the previously mentioned Declaration. EMC compliance with standards is necessary to ensure that equipment designed for the European Union will have sufficient tolerance to function correctly in environments with electromagnetic interference without affecting other pieces of equipment. Manufacturers or marketers issue a declaration of compliance for a product with supporting evidence of testing to qualify for the display of the CE mark on their equipment. Notified Bodies ensure that manufacturers and marketers can support their claims. Cooperation between Notified Bodies in Europe together with international agreements for mutual recognition with countries in the developed world ensures harmonisation of standards throughout Europe and the developed world. Thus, those manufacturers with a capacity for design who possess the expensive testing facilities can validate and test their own designs for EMC compliance, while others utilise the testing facilities of approved laboratories. (This page intentionally left blank) Bibliography/ References Blackwell, G. R. 2000. The Electromagnetic Packaging Handbook. CRC Press. Communication Certification Laboratory. 2009. CE Testing. Communication Certification Laboratory. Retrieved: December 2, 2009, from: http://www.cclab.com/ce-testing.htm Department of Business, Innovation and Skill, UK. 2009. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2004/108/EC. Department of Business, Innovation and Skill, UK. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/sustainability/regulations/ecdirect/page12469.html ECMA International. 1999. Technical Report TR/74 A Guide to the Application of the EMC Directive to ITE. ECMA International. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/techreports/E-TR-074.htm European Commission. 2007. Guide for the EMC Directive 2004/108/EC (21st May 2007). European Commission. Retrieved: December 2, 2009, from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/electrical/files/emcguide_may2007_en.pdf European Commission. 2009. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) - reference documents. The European Commission. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/electrical/documents/emc/index_en.htm European Commission. 2009. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Legislation: Directive 2004/108/EC. European Commission. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/electrical/documents/emc/legislation/ European Commission. 2009. NANDO Bodies. EUROPA. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=directive.notifiedbody&dir_id=129141&type_dir=NO%20CPD&pro_id=99999&prc_id=99999&ann_id=99999&prc_anx=99999 Lohbeck, David. 1998. CE Marking Handbook: A Practical Approach to Global Safety Certification. Newnes. Montrose, Mark I. & Nakauchi, Edward M. 2004. Testing for EMC Compliance. IEEE Press, Wiley - Interscience. Ott, Henry W. 2009. Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering. John-Wiley & Sons. United Kingdom Accreditation Service. 2009. Publications Relating to EC Directives and UK Regulations. United Kingdom Accreditation Service. Retrieved: December 1, 2009, from: http://www.ukas.com/technical-information/publications-and-tech-articles/publications/PubsForECDir&UKReg.asp Williams, Tim. 2007. EMC for Product Designers, Fourth Edition. Newnes. Read More