Prior to placing a product on the European market, the product must bear the CE Mark. The CE Mark on a product indicates that the product complies with the ‘Essential Requirements’ of all applicable New Approach Directives of the European Community. These Directives, or European Legislation, include:

The EMC Directive

Directive 89/336/EEC, Council Directive of 3 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to Electromagnetic Compatibility and Directive 2004/108/EC relating to electromagnetic compatibility and repealing Directive 89/336/EEC

The R&TTE Directive

Directive 1999/5/EC: Directive of 9 March 1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity.

The Low Voltage Directive

Directive 73/23/EEC: Council Directive of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits.

The Machinery Directive

Directive 98/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery.

There are currently three conformity assessment procedures for such equipment:

• The first is self-declaration by the manufacturer when the product is tested and found to be in compliance with the relevant European harmonized standards. In these cases Retlif is fully accredited, equipped and staffed to address testing to the most recent harmonized standards.
  
• The second, where such standards are not available, partially applied, or do not cover all of the requirements, involves the completion of a Technical Construction File (TCF), with a report or certificate from a Competent Body. Retlif is a NIST designated Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) under the US-EU MRA which is the equivalent to a Competent Body under the EMC Directive.
  
• The third procedure, which applies to radio-communication equipment and requires the opinion of a Notified Body prior to marketing under the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC. Retlif is a NIST designated Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) under the US-EU MRA which is the equivalent to a Notified Body under the R&TTE Directive.

Japan, The Voluntary Council for the Control of Interference (VCCI)
Through Retlif’s membership in VCCI and our National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) Accreditation, Retlif Testing Laboratories test data and reports are accepted by VCCI.