Key requirements for designing electronic products compliant with safety standards
Designing electronic products compliant with safety standards is a process requiring special attention at every stage from concept to production. User safety, compliance with legal regulations, and environmental protection are priorities that must be considered for a product to enter the market and gain customer trust. In the article below, we will discuss the key requirements that must be met when designing electronic devices to ensure their compliance with applicable standards, and we will also explain EMAG-SERWIS’s role in supporting manufacturers in this rather complex process.
Understanding Applicable Standards and Regulations
The first step in designing safe electronic products is thoroughly familiarizing oneself with international and local standards. In Europe, the key document is the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU, which defines electrical safety requirements for devices operating in the voltage range from 50 V to 1000 V AC or from 75 V to 1500 V DC. Additionally, standards such as IEC 62368-1 or IEC 60601 (for medical devices) specify detailed requirements for specific product categories.
An important aspect of every project is also compliance with the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Directive 2014/30/EU, which concerns emission and immunity to electromagnetic interference. The manufacturer must ensure that the device does not interfere with other equipment in its immediate vicinity and is itself resistant to external interference. It is also worth considering environmental regulations, such as the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive 2011/65/EU, which restricts the use of hazardous substances, such as lead or mercury in electronic products.
Understanding and proper interpretation of standards can be quite challenging, which is why at EMAG-SERWIS we offer support already at the conceptual stage, helping manufacturers identify appropriate directives and standards for their product. As a result, we avoid costly design errors and reduce time to market.
Electrical Safety as a Design Foundation
Electrical safety is one of the most important aspects of design. The device must be constructed in a way that prevents electric shock, overheating, or short circuits. Key requirements include:
- use of appropriate insulating materials and ensuring required distances between conductive elements according to standards, e.g., IEC 62368-1;
- grounding or protection against accidental contact with conductive elements that may pose a hazard;
- incorporation of fuses, current limiters, or thermal protection that prevent damage due to overload or short circuit.
Safety tests, such as dielectric strength tests or overload tests, should be conducted on prototypes to verify the effectiveness of these safeguards.
As part of our activities, we offer comprehensive tests that verify, among other things, insulation strength, grounding effectiveness, and surge resistance. This ensures our clients that their product is safe for the end user.
User-Centered Design
An electronic product must be safe not only technically but also in terms of daily use. Ergonomics and intuitive operation are also important to reduce the risk of user error.
It’s worth remembering that:
- clear warnings, graphic symbols, and readable user instructions in the user’s language are mandatory;
- housings should be durable, damage-resistant, and prevent access to dangerous elements, especially in devices intended for children;
- cooling systems, surface temperature limitations, and automatic shutdown mode in case of overheating are standard solutions used in modern devices.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
Electronic devices must be designed in such a way that they do not emit excessive electromagnetic interference that could affect other equipment while being resistant to external interference.
For this purpose, we use:
- EMI filters that reduce interference emission through wires and electronic components;
- metal enclosures or conductive coatings that protect against external electromagnetic fields;
- EMC tests conducted in specialized laboratories that verify compliance with standards, e.g., EN 55032 for interference emission.
EMAG-SERWIS specializes in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing. We offer a wide range of tests. Experienced and equipped with advanced apparatus, we help clients identify and solve EMC problems early in the design stage, significantly reducing costs and risk.
Sustainable Development and Environmental Aspects
Modern electronic product design requires consideration of their environmental impact. The RoHS Directive restricts the use of hazardous substances, meaning the necessity to choose materials and components free from toxic elements. Additionally, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive 2012/19/EU imposes on manufacturers the obligation to organize recycling of used devices.
EMAG-SERWIS also offers support in RoHS compliance. Through analysis of component material composition, our client is assured that their product does not contain hazardous substances in concentrations exceeding permissible standards.
Testing and Certification
After design completion, the product must undergo rigorous testing in accredited laboratories to confirm compliance with standards. After successfully passing the tests, the client can mark the product with the CE mark, confirming compliance with EU directives.
EMAG-SERWIS acts as a partner throughout the CE certification process. Our work involves not only conducting necessary tests but also supporting the preparation of complete technical documentation, which is the basis for issuing the Declaration of Conformity. Thanks to a comprehensive approach, manufacturers can efficiently go through the certification process.
Technical Documentation and Declaration of Conformity
Every electronic product introduced to the EU market must be covered by technical documentation that contains detailed information about the design, materials, tests, and compliance with standards. This documentation forms the basis for issuing the Declaration of Conformity, in which the manufacturer confirms that the product meets all legal requirements.
Summary
Designing electronic products compliant with safety standards is a complex process that requires consideration of many aspects from electrical safety, through electromagnetic compatibility, to environmental issues. Cooperation with an experienced partner – such as EMAG-SERWIS, allows clients to go through all stages from requirements analysis, through testing, to obtaining CE certification. Thanks to our knowledge and experience, you can be sure that your product is safe, legally compliant, and ready to compete in the market.
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Bibliography:
- Directive 2014/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (LVD Directive).
- Directive 2014/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive).
- Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive).
- Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE Directive).
- The ‘Blue Guide’ on the implementation of EU product rules 2022.
- Ott, Henry W. Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Considered a fundamental work in the field of electromagnetic compatibility.
- Williams, Tim. EMC for Product Designers. 5th ed., Newnes, 2016. A practical guide for electronics designers.