The first prototypes have been built. Nice little radio modules have been carefully soldered in and connected to their corresponding antennas. The development department now wants to switch on and see whether the function is guaranteed in the product. But is it allowed to do so at all?
The Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU says: No complete tests/assessments according to Article 3 (radio, EMC, safety, EM fields). No declaration of conformity. No CE mark. Thus, the Radio Equipment Directive is not fulfilled and commissioning is not allowed on this basis.
What now? In article 9 follows the realization: the demonstration of radio equipment may only take place if appropriate measures prescribed by the member states have been taken, ...
-> So only national law applies to the testing of radio equipment!
In Germany, the Telecommunications Act (TKG) applies, which also contains the implementation of the Radio Equipment Directive. There it is written:
TKG § 91 Frequency allocation
(1) Every use of frequencies requires a prior frequency allocation, ...
This means that a frequency assignment must be available before a radio device is put into operation. In Germany, this must be applied for at the branch office of the Federal Network Agency responsible for the applicant's headquarters.
The Federal Network Agency has provided the information and forms for this under the term experimental radio (see link below).
The experimental radio license is usually allocated for a limited period of time and a limited area. The maximum geographical limitation is the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. This license must also be applied for for several development and production sites where trials are to take place.
The same procedure also applies to trials in the real environment, if the products are still in the development stage and therefore do not yet fully comply with the regulations of the Radio Equipment Directive or compliance has not yet been verified.
There are several other things to consider:
- For example, the applicant, usually the manufacturer, must have access to the test equipment at all times.
- He must know where the devices are located and be able to shut them down at any time in the event of a fault. For this purpose, a contact person is notified to the Federal Network Agency.
- After testing, the devices must be returned to the applicant.
- Before they can be put on the market, they must be brought up to series production standard and correctly labeled.
And what about internationally?
No matter in which country testing is to be carried out: A license from the national authority must always be applied for before radio equipment is switched on! This applies to all continents.
If you have any questions or need support on the subject of radio licensing, please do not hesitate to contact us!
