First of all, a classification: This is not about electromagnetic compatibility as required by the EMC Directive, which explicitly refers to electromagnetic waves and their effects between electrical and electronic devices. In particular, EMC limits for interference emissions have been in place for many decades to ensure reliable radio reception.
Since 1972, the automotive industry also had to comply with it and suppress interference in its vehicles accordingly. These standards originate from CISPR. CISPR: "International Special Committee on Radio Interference" was founded in Geneva in 1934 and has been part of IEC for many decades. The CISPR standards are also known as EN 550XX in the EU.
This article deals with the effects and limitations of electromagnetic fields on humans and the associated requirements for devices. The leading institution in this field is the "International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection" (ICNIRP) https://www.icnirp.org/. It was officially founded with its current name in 1992, although its predecessor organizations have been dealing with this topic since 1973. Mobile communications have accelerated things considerably. The ICNIRP recommendation of 1998 was incorporated into national legislation almost worldwide with minor amendments. The last major publication
"RF EMF Guidelines 2020" Title: "Guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (100 kHz to 300 GHz)" is the latest major update, the recommendations of which are slowly being reflected in international legislation and standards.
Let's move on to the practical part.
Electrical appliances (excluding radio)
Europe
Electromagnetic fields under the Low Voltage Directive 2014/30/EU
The list of harmonized standards includes product standards for
- Welding equipment (EN 50445),
- luminaires (EN 62493),
- household appliances (EN 62233)
There is also the "generic standard" for all electrical devices that do not have a product standard:
EN 62311:2020 (the 2008 version is listed)
Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human exposure
restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 GHz)
There are further standards for low power devices.
If the product falls outside the Low Voltage Directive, for example due to battery operation, it is not exempt from these requirements, as the Low Voltage Directive, with the above-mentioned standards, only implements what is required by the "1999/519/EC: Council Recommendation of July 12, 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz - 300 GHz)"
Note: This recommendation contains maximum permissible field strengths and must be complied with in the EU.
This EU recommendation is based on the 1998 ICNIRP recommendation.
Every operation of an electrical device must comply with this recommendation.
Note: In 2013, another EU directive was issued that deals with the protection of workers from electromagnetic fields.
Conclusion:
If I produce an electrical device, it must be ensured that the limit values mentioned above are not exceeded during operation.
Radio equipment
All persons or companies that deal with radio devices cannot avoid this topic and are generally familiar with it. So here are just a few specific aspects:
Canada
In my opinion, this is where the most detailed specifications exist, from simulation and measurement to nerve stimulation tests. The RSS-102 specifications (7 of which are currently available) can be found following the link:
Europe radio equipment
In Europe, the impact of radio devices held and worn directly on the body is currently the subject of the following two European standards:
"EN 50360:2017 +A1:2023
Product standard to demonstrate the compliance of wireless communication devices,
with the basic restrictions and exposure limit values related to human exposure to
electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 300 MHz to 6 GHz: devices used
to the ear ..."
"EN 50566:2017 +A1:2023 +A2:2025
Product standard to demonstrate the compliance of wireless communication devices
with the basic restrictions and exposure limit values related to human exposure to
electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 30 MHz to 6 GHz: hand-held and
body mounted devices in close proximity to the human body ..."
The new annexes to the two standards show assessments and measurement methods for particularly small distances between the device and the body, which were not previously addressed by the standards. Further changes are to be expected here.
IEC standards are also being further developed accordingly.
For all electrical products with or without radio, the electromagnetic fields in relation to humans must always be taken into account. Practice shows that this is often forgotten.
We will keep you up to date and will be happy to provide you with further details.
Author's note
This article has been machine translated into English.
TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
EMC: Electromagnetic compatibility
CISPR: Comité international spécial des perturbations radioélectriques
