Radio Equipment Directive

The CE framework for anything that intentionally transmits or receives radio waves — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, NFC and more. It bundles safety, EMC and spectrum requirements, and since 1 August 2025 adds mandatory cybersecurity requirements for internet-connected radio equipment under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30.

Read the official text

Applies to

Radio equipment: electrical or electronic products that intentionally emit and/or receive radio waves for radio communication or radiodetermination (Article 2). This captures most connected consumer devices. Radio equipment is covered here instead of the LVD and EMC Directives, whose essential requirements the RED incorporates.

Key obligations

01Meet the essential requirements of Article 3: (1)(a) health and safety (incorporating the LVD safety objectives), (1)(b) electromagnetic compatibility, and (2) effective and efficient use of radio spectrum to avoid harmful interference.source
02From 1 August 2025, meet the cybersecurity essential requirements of Article 3(3)(d) (network protection), (e) (personal data and privacy) and (f) (protection from fraud) activated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 for the radio equipment categories it covers (internet-connected radio equipment; childcare, toy and wearable radio equipment for point (e); equipment handling virtual money for point (f)).source
03Draw up technical documentation (Annex V), perform a conformity assessment (Article 17), issue the EU Declaration of Conformity, affix CE marking, and keep documentation for 10 years (Article 10).source
04Include in the instructions the frequency band(s) the equipment operates in and the maximum radio-frequency power transmitted, plus any usage restrictions; supply the EU DoC or a simplified DoC with a link to the full version (Article 10).source
05Ensure the equipment can be operated in at least one Member State without infringing applicable spectrum rules, and mark type/batch/serial identification and manufacturer name and address on the equipment.source

Conformity routes

Self-assessment — internal production control (Annex II)Available for Article 3(1) requirements always, and for Article 3(2)/(3) requirements only when harmonised standards covering them have been applied in full.source
EU-type examination + conformity to type (Annex III) via notified bodyMandatory for Article 3(2)/(3) requirements when harmonised standards are not applied, only partly applied, or do not exist. Also required for the EN 18031 cybersecurity standards where their published restrictions apply to your product (e.g. where a user may skip setting a password).source
Full quality assurance (Annex IV) via notified bodyAlternative third-party route for any of the essential requirements.source

Documentation

EU Declaration of ConformityFull or simplified version (with internet link to the full DoC) must accompany the equipment; kept 10 years.source
Technical documentation (Annex V)Includes risk analysis, design/manufacturing details, test reports covering all applicable Article 3 requirements.source
Instructions with radio informationMust state frequency bands and maximum transmitted RF power, plus safety information and any usage restrictions.source

Marking requirements

Affix the CE marking visibly, legibly and indelibly; where a notified body was involved under Annex IV, its identification number follows the CE marking.source
Mark equipment with type/batch/serial identification and the manufacturer's name and postal address (or on packaging/documents where size does not allow).source

Testing standards

Harmonised and designated standards lists change over time: confirm the currently cited version before testing.

EN 300 328EN 301 489-1 (unverified)EN 301 489-17 (unverified)EN 18031-1EN 18031-2EN 18031-3

Key dates

2016-06-13RED applicable (replacing the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC); transitional period ended 12 June 2017.source
2025-08-01Cybersecurity essential requirements (Article 3(3)(d), (e), (f)) apply to in-scope radio equipment under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30, as deferred by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2444.source
2024-12-28Common charger (USB-C) requirements apply to most rechargeable portable device categories (added to the RED by Directive (EU) 2022/2380; laptops follow in April 2026).sourceUnverified — check source

Penalties

Member States set their own rules on penalties for infringements of national provisions adopted under the RED; they must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.source

Further guidance

Frequently asked

My product has Bluetooth — which directives apply, RED or LVD/EMC?+

The RED alone. Radio equipment is excluded from the LVD and EMC Directives; the RED incorporates their safety and EMC essential requirements, so your Declaration of Conformity cites 2014/53/EU.

What changed on 1 August 2025 for connected devices?+

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 activated the RED's cybersecurity requirements: internet-connected radio equipment must protect networks (Art 3(3)(d)), equipment processing personal data — including childcare, toy and wearable devices — must protect privacy (3(3)(e)), and devices handling money must protect against fraud (3(3)(f)).

Do I need a notified body for a Wi-Fi product?+

Not if you apply the relevant harmonised standards in full (e.g. EN 300 328 for spectrum, EN 301 489 series for EMC, EN 18031 series for cybersecurity). If a standard is missing, only partly applied, or its published restrictions apply to your product (e.g. optional passwords under EN 18031), an EU-type examination by a notified body is mandatory.

What must the user manual of a radio product contain?+

Alongside normal safety information, it must state the frequency bands the equipment uses and the maximum radio-frequency power transmitted, plus any conditions or restrictions of use, and include the (possibly simplified) EU Declaration of Conformity.

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