Safety of Electrical Equipment
Short guide on the application of the directive 2006/95/EC relating to electrical
equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (“Low Voltage Directive”
LVD)
You are manufacturing electrical equipment, trading with it or importing these products? Do you know the legal regulations for electrical equipment? Could you prove
that your products are complying with the valid safety requirements? No? Then you
should read this short guide very carefully!
Legal Framework
− European Union
−
in Jordan
The legal basis for harmonized requirements on the safety of electrical equipment is
the EU directive 2006/95/EC of 12 December 2006 relating to electrical equipment
designed for use within certain voltage limits (“Low Voltage Directive” LVD). It was
published in the Official Journal of the EU Nr. L 374 of 27 December 2006.
The transposition of LVD in Jordan was made in the Technical Regulation …., published in … on … and went in force on ….
From that date all economic operators in Jordan, active the sector of electrical
equipment under the scope of this directive, have mandatory to comply with these
legal requirements for electrical safety.
Where applicable also other EU directives could be relevant, like e.g. the General
Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC or the directive on Electromagnetic Compatibility 2004/108/EC (see separate short guides).
Scope
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) is to apply for every electrical equipment under its
scope, made available on the market, means any supply of a electrical equipment
for distribution, consumption or use in Jordan as well as in the European Economic
Area (EEA).
If the electrical equipment is marked with CE, which means that the products comply with the safety requirements of the directive and a conformity assessment was
made, they are allowed to be placed on the market. If not, market surveillance authorities can intervene and in case of non-compliance prohibit placing the product
on the market. Also recall actions of unsafe / dangerous products can be ordered by
the authorities
Which equipment is
affected?
The Low Voltage Directive is to apply for ‘electrical equipment’, which means any
equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1 000 V for
alternating current and between 75 and 1 500 V for direct current.
It is valid for equipment ready for use as well as for electrical components incorporated.
What is excluded?
Excluded from the scope is electrical equipment for the use in an explosive atmosphere, in medical devices or in passenger lifts. Also electricity meters, plugs and
socket outlets for domestic use, electric fence controllers and radio-electrical
interferenceare excluded.
The complete list of exclusions is to be found in Annex II of LVD.
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Who is concerned?
The requirements of the directive are affecting manufacturer or authorized representatives of the manufacturer as well as importers and distributors.
The directive regulates the obligations of all economic operators in the supply chain.
Beside the requirements on product design also organizational obligations of all
economic operators are part of the rules like e.g. carrying out of corrective actions
including a product recall in case of non-compliance.
Which requirements
have to be met?
The electrical equipment should be so designed and manufactured as to ensure that
protection against the hazards set out in in Annex I of LVD is assured, providing
that the equipment is used in applications for which it was made and is adequately
maintained. The requirements are e.g.:
− persons and domestic animals must be adequately protected against the
danger of physical injury or other harm which might be caused by direct or
indirect contact
− temperatures, arcs or radiation which would cause a danger, are not produced;
− protection against non-electrical dangers caused by the electrical equipment which are revealed by experience;
− insulation must be suitable for foreseeable conditions
− the electrical equipment meets the expected mechanical requirements
− resistant to non-mechanical influences in expected environmentalconditions
− respect of foreseeable conditions of overload
These essential safety requirements are specified in harmonized European Standards, which are published with relation to the directive.
Which standards
could be applied to
achieve conformity?
In order to achieve conformity with the legal requirements, the application of standards is very useful and gives more legal certainty. It is presumed, that the products
conform to the legal requirements, if they comply with the relevant harmonized
standards (presumption of conformity).
The list of harmonized standards under LVD is published in the Official Journal of
the EU:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/harmonisedstandards/low-voltage/index_en.htm.
All harmonized EN standards on electrical safety are valid in Jordan!
What are the obligations?
The LVD is requiring CE marking of each electrical equipment under the scope of
the directive. Pre-condition for the CE marking is, that a conformity assessment
procedure was performed, which approves the compliance with the requirements of
the directive.
The manufacture is doing the necessary test according to harmonized standards or
orders the test at an accredited laboratory. After compliance with the requirements
of the directive is proved the “EC Declaration of Conformity” must be issued and CE
marking affixed. The electrical product must be accompanied by instructions.
The involvement of a Notified Body in the conformity assessment procedure is optional but not mandatory.
The conformity assessment procedure must be performed according to Annex IV of
LVD „InternalProduction Control“.
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Technical
Documentation
Technical documentation must enable the conformity of the electrical equipment to
the requirements of LVD, to be assessed. It must, as far as relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the electrical equipment.
The technical documentation must include:
ƒ a general description of the electrical equipment,
ƒ conceptual design and manufacturing drawings and schemes of components, sub-assemblies, circuits, etc.,
ƒ descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of said
drawings and schemes and the operation of the electrical equipment,
ƒ a list of the standards applied in full or in part, and descriptions of the solutions adopted to satisfy the safety aspects of this Directive where standards
have not been applied,
ƒ results of design calculations made, examinations carried out, etc.,
ƒ Test reports.
A complete list of the content of technical documentation is to be found in Annex IV
of LVD.
If neither the manufacturer nor his authorized representative has his legal seat in
the country, the importer or the distributor, who places the product on the national
market, has the obligation to make available the technical documentation in case
authorities are asking for them.
The documents must be kept for at least 10 years after placing the product on the
market.
Manufacturing
Process
The manufacturer must take all measures necessary in order that the manufacturing
process shall ensure compliance of the manufactured products with the technical
documentation and with the requirements of LVD that apply to them (Quality Assurance Measures).
EC Declaration of
Conformity
With the EC Declaration of Conformity the manufacturer or his authorized representative confirms, that the electrical equipment, he made available on the market,
complies with the essential safety requirements of LVD.
The EC declaration of conformity must contain at least the following elements:
− name and address of the manufacturer or his authorized representative established within the Community,
− a description of the electrical equipment,
− reference to the harmonized standards,
− where appropriate, references to the specifications with which conformity is
declared,
− identification of the signatory who has been empowered to enter into commitments on behalf of the manufacturer or his authorized representative established within the Community,
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Figure 1. Flow Chart of the Conformity Assessment Procedure according to LVD
As a symbol for the conformity with the requirements of the directive, the manufacturer or his authorized representative has to affix CE marking on
the product or the type plate. It must be visible,
legible and undeletable affixed.
The minimum height of the CE marking is 5 mm.
The proportions given in the graduated drawing
must be respected.
Notified Bodies
The contact details of all Notified Bodies can be obtained from NANDO
database:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/nando
Where to get full texts
of legislation and
standards?
Access to European Law:
(Download free of charge)
Jordan legislation
Important!
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/de/index.htm
http://jsmo.gov.jo
Economic operators affected by that legislation should read not only this
short guide but also pay attention to the full text of the directive 2006/95/EC.
Additional the officially published guidance papers could give essential support.
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/electrical/documents/lvd/guidance/index
_en.htm
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More Information and
technical help
Information and technical help services for Jordan economic operators are offered by the JSMO information centre
www.jsmo.gov.jo
Published Short Guides to EU Directives
2006/95/EG
Low Voltage Directive (electrical safety)
2009/48/EG
Safety of Toys
2004/108/EG
Electromagnetic Compatibility
2009/142/EG
Gas Appliances
2001/95/EG
General Product Safety
CE marking – Overview on framework regulations
All the short guides can be downloaded from the website of JSMO Jordan Standards and Metrology
Organization.
http://www.jsmo.gov.jo
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