RED: Radio Equipment Directive for EU Imports
2 resources tagged with "Red Directive"
The Radio Equipment Directive (RED, 2014/53/EU) is the CE pathway for any product with a radio — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, or a simple 433MHz remote — imported from China into the EU. It folds in EMC and electrical safety, and since 2024 adds Article 3.3 cybersecurity requirements for internet-connected radio devices, which is reshaping technical files for IoT gear sourced out of China.
When you import under RED, you (the importer) hold the EU Declaration of Conformity and technical file, not the Chinese factory — so insist on real test reports against harmonized standards like EN 300 328 (2.4GHz) and EN 301 489 (EMC). A common pitfall is treating RED as just a self-stick CE label; without the supporting test evidence, customs or market surveillance can pull the product.
Guides (1)
Wiki (1)
FAQ
What is the difference between RED and the old R&TTE directive?
RED (2014/53/EU) replaced R&TTE in 2016. It covers all radio equipment, integrates EMC and safety, and now layers in cybersecurity (Article 3.3) for connected devices. Older R&TTE documentation is no longer valid.
Who is legally responsible for RED compliance when importing from China?
The EU importer is the responsible economic operator. You must hold the technical file and Declaration of Conformity even if a Chinese supplier provided the test data, so verify the reports come from a credible lab.
Does every electronic device from China need RED, or just CE?
If the device intentionally transmits or receives radio waves, it falls under RED. Non-radio electronics use the LVD and EMC directives instead. Many products end up covered by RED, LVD, and EMC together under one CE mark.
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