How do I obtain CE marking for an RF device intended for the European market?
CE Marking for RF Devices
CE marking is mandatory for selling any RF device in the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), and some associated countries. Without CE marking: the product cannot be legally placed on the EU market.
- Performance verification: confirm specifications against the application requirements before finalizing the design
- Environmental factors: temperature range, humidity, and vibration affect long-term reliability and parameter drift
- Cost vs. performance: evaluate whether the application demands premium components or standard commercial grades
- Interface compatibility: verify impedance, connector type, and mechanical form factor match the system architecture
- Margin allocation: include sufficient design margin to account for manufacturing tolerances and aging effects
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Notified Body?
For most RF devices under RED: No. The manufacturer can self-declare compliance (Module A) if: the device complies with the harmonized standards published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The majority of consumer RF devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RFID) have harmonized standards and can be self-declared. A Notified Body (Module B+C) is required if: no harmonized standard exists for the device type, or the device does not fully comply with the harmonized standard (partial compliance). In these cases: a Notified Body must review the technical documentation and issue an EU Type-Examination Certificate. The Notified Body's number then appears next to the CE mark.
Can I use FCC test reports?
Partially: the test methods are often similar (both use CISPR/IEC-based measurement procedures), and some test data can be shared. However: the pass/fail limits may differ (ETSI standards have different emission limits, receiver performance requirements, and spectrum efficiency requirements than FCC Part 15/24/27). RF exposure: EU uses EN 62311/50665 (based on ICNIRP limits: SAR 2 W/kg per 10 g tissue) while FCC uses 1.6 W/kg per 1 g tissue. Different SAR testing is usually needed. EMC: EU requires immunity testing (EN 55035) which FCC does not. A laboratory accredited for both FCC and European testing can often perform all tests in a single campaign, reducing cost and time.
What about post-Brexit UK?
After Brexit: the UK no longer accepts CE marking for products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Scotland, Wales). Instead: the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark is required. Northern Ireland continues to accept CE marking (under the Northern Ireland Protocol). UKCA requirements: largely mirror the RED requirements, but are administered by UK authorities. UK-accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (not EU Notified Bodies) must be used if a Notified Body is required. Many manufacturers obtain both CE and UKCA marking simultaneously, using the same test data with separate declarations.