LVD & EMC Compliance Guide
The two regulations that affect almost every electrical product sold in the UK and EU — explained clearly.
What is the Low Voltage Directive (LVD)?
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) — 2014/35/EU in the EU and implemented as the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 in Great Britain — covers the safety of electrical equipment operating between 50V and 1000V AC, or 75V and 1500V DC.
The LVD requires that electrical products are designed and manufactured to be safe when used as intended, with no risk of electric shock, fire, or other hazards. Compliance is demonstrated through conformity assessment, a Technical File, and a Declaration of Conformity.
What is the EMC Directive?
The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive — 2014/30/EU in the EU and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 in Great Britain — covers the electromagnetic behaviour of electrical and electronic products.
EMC has two aspects: emissions (the product must not produce electromagnetic interference that disrupts other equipment) and immunity (the product must function correctly when subjected to electromagnetic disturbances). Both must be demonstrated for compliance.
Which Products Are Covered?
LVD covers electrical equipment operating within the specified voltage range. EMC covers virtually all electrical and electronic apparatus that can cause or be affected by electromagnetic disturbance. In practice, this means most consumer electrical products fall under both simultaneously.
- Power supplies, chargers, and adaptors
- Audio and video equipment
- Smart home devices and IoT products
- Lighting and luminaires
- Power tools and workshop equipment
- Domestic appliances
- Electronic test and measurement equipment
LVD & EMC: What Compliance Requires
- Identify applicable standards — the relevant harmonised (EU) or UK-designated (GB) standards for your product type and category.
- Conduct safety assessment — evaluate the product against the essential requirements. For LVD this means electrical safety testing; for EMC this means emissions and immunity testing.
- Obtain test reports — laboratory testing against applicable standards by an ISO 17025 accredited lab. Self-testing is permitted under Module A but carries significant risk without appropriate facilities and expertise.
- Compile a Technical File — product description, circuit diagrams, test reports, risk assessment, list of standards applied, and Declaration of Conformity.
- Draw up a Declaration of Conformity — referencing both LVD and EMC legislation and the specific standards used.
- Apply the UKCA or CE mark — as appropriate for your target market.
Voltage Range Exceptions
Products outside the LVD voltage range (below 50V AC or 75V DC) do not fall under LVD, but may still be subject to EMC and other regulations. Battery-powered products at low voltages, for example, still need to consider EMC, the Radio Equipment Directive (if wireless), and UKCA or CE marking through an appropriate route.
Common Compliance Failures
- Testing to outdated standard versions — EN 62368-1 replaced EN 60065 and EN 60950; many products still show the old standard on the DoC.
- EMC testing for emissions only — immunity testing is equally required and frequently omitted.
- Incorrect product classification leading to the wrong standard being applied.
- Test reports covering a different product variant than the one being sold.
- DoC not updated after a design change that affects safety or electromagnetic behaviour.
LVD and EMC done properly, the first time.
We scope your standards route, review test reports, build your Technical File, and prepare your Declaration of Conformity.
