What is CE-RED (2014/53/EU), what should I look for in a declaration of conformity?
RED 2014/53/EU is the radio equipment directive that replaced R&TTE 1999/5/EC as of 13 June 2017. The Article 3 essential requirements are health and safety 3(1)(a), EMC 3(1)(b) and efficient use of the spectrum 3(2). The EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) must contain the product identification, the directives applied, the number and version of the harmonised standards used, and the details of the signatory.
When reviewing the documentation of a radio device, look at these items:
- Product identification: the model name or number must be exactly the same in the declaration and on the label.
- Legislation applied: RED 2014/53/EU and, if applicable, RoHS 2011/65/EU must be explicitly listed.
- Harmonised standards: not just the number but the version must be written. On sub-GHz short range devices the spectrum side is typically covered by the EN 300 220 series (current version EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1, 2025-03), and at 2.4 GHz by EN 300 328 V2.2.2; on the EMC side the EN 301 489 series is used.
- Signature: the declaration must be signed by the manufacturer or their EU authorised representative.
The CE mark is placed on the equipment, on the packaging or in the manual; the letter height must be at least 5 mm and the vertical dimensions of the letters must be equal. RED is a conformity assessment regime; under certain conditions it is carried out by the manufacturer's self-declaration, and in some cases with the involvement of a notified body.
The correct way to find out which band and which standard a device was declared against is to examine the product label and the declaration of conformity belonging to that product; catalogue texts do not take the place of that document.
Full article: Wireless remote control installation: pairing, relay, safety