The main objective of the EMC directive is to guarantee the free movement of apparatus and to create an acceptable EMC environment in the EEA territory.

The main goals can be summarised as follows :

• To guarantee that devices, apparatus and systems, as well as radio-communication services, whose functioning might be impeded by electromagnetic disturbances caused by electrical and electronic apparatus, are adequately protected against such disturbances.
• To provide the protection of electrical energy distribution networks against electromagnetic disturbances, which are liable to impair such networks and the associated apparatus.
• To ensure sufficient protection of public telecommunication networks, including apparatus connected to them against electromagnetic disturbances.

To achieve these objectives, the EMC Directive lays down protection requirements and procedures under which the manufacturer may themselves assess their apparatus against these requirements or have it assessed by third parties. Obviously, the goal of protection requirements is not to guarantee absolute protection of the above apparatus.

Electrical and electronic apparatus complying with the provisions of the EMC Directive may be placed on the market or put into service in the EEA territory, freely moved and operated as designed and intended in the expected EMC environment.

Are only new products concerned or used ones too ?

The placing of a product on the market does not concern :

• The disposal of the product from the manufacturer to his authorised representative established in the EEA, who is responsible on behalf of the manufacturer for ensuring compliance with the Directive;
• Imports into the EEA for the purpose of re-export
  
  
  
• The manufacture of product in the EEA for export to a third country;
• The display of the product at trade fairs and exhibitions.