Safety requirements for electrical and electronic equipment
Do you sell or trade electrical or electronic equipment in the Netherlands? Then you have to make sure your products comply with European regulations. For example, your electrical equipment must be safe and it must not interfere with other devices.
Safety of electrical and electronic devices
You must design, manufacture, and test your electrical equipment, electrical appliances, and electrical components according to the laws and standards that apply to your product.
As a manufacturer you must ensure, among other things:
- proper insulation of the electrical equipment
- that the temperature, electrical discharge, or radiation does not exceed the set limits
- safety mechanisms that prevent short circuits
- that your electrical device or installation does not interfere with other devices
The requirements for electrical and electronic devices are contained in the:
- the European Low Voltage Directive and the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on electrical equipment (for equipment with low voltage)(Warenwetbesluit elektrisch materiaal, in Dutch)
- the European General Product Safety Directive or other specific regulations for electrical appliances not covered by the Low Voltage Directive
- the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) if your electrical device is connected to the internet/Wi-Fi (Internet of Things, IoT), has Bluetooth, or has a radio frequency module.
For more information, view the product safety checklist for manufacturers and the product safety checklist for importers.
CE marking and EU declaration of conformity
If you have tested your device and it meets all technical and administrative requirements, then as the manufacturer you must add the CE marking to the product. With a CE marking, you declare that the product complies with EU safety, health, and environmental requirements. You also have to draw up and sign an EU declaration of conformity. With this statement you declare that the equipment meets the EU requirements that you are responsible for it. Only then are you allowed to sell the product.
Supervision
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority’s (NVWA, in Dutch) checks whether your electrical appliance is safe, and if you comply with the law. For example, for (construction) lamps, hoovers, chargers, kitchen appliances, and parts for electrical appliances or installations. If your electrical equipment has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a radio frequency module, the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur, RDI) checks whether you comply with the rules.