The European Commission has published an updated EU RED Guide covering key compliance obligations under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED – Directive 2014/53/EU). The guidance addresses common charging interfaces, cybersecurity requirements, conformity assessment, technical documentation, labeling, and market surveillance obligations.
Manufacturers, importers, authorized representatives, and other economic operators should review the updated guidance carefully. Several requirements affect how radio equipment is designed, documented, certified, labeled, and placed on the European Union market.
EU RED Guide and Common Charger Requirements
The updated guidance addresses the European Union’s Common Charger requirements for covered handheld radio equipment.
For wired charging, applicable products must integrate USB Type-C according to EN IEC 62680-1-3:2022 and support USB Power Delivery according to EN IEC 62680-1-2:2022 where required.
The guidance also covers unbundled sales options and mandatory consumer information. Packaging must include the required pictograms, while distance-selling offers must display the relevant charging information near the product price.
According to the guidance, these requirements apply from December 28, 2024 to handheld phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, and handheld gaming consoles.
Additional covered products, including laptops, e-readers, keyboards, mice, and earbuds, are subject to the requirements from April 28, 2026.
Cybersecurity Requirements for Radio Equipment
The updated EU RED Guide also addresses the cybersecurity essential requirements under Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f) of the RED and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30.
These requirements apply to relevant internet-connected and wearable radio equipment. Manufacturers must conduct the required cybersecurity risk assessments and demonstrate compliance as part of the conformity assessment process.
Where harmonized cybersecurity standards have not been published, manufacturers must involve a Notified Body through Module B+C or Module H.
These cybersecurity obligations will remain particularly important during the transition toward the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which applies from December 11, 2027.
Technical Documentation and User Information
The guidance introduces or reinforces several documentation requirements.
Product manuals and Technical Documentation must include applicable information concerning:
- Power delivery ranges using the required “min [xx] Watts… max [yy] Watts” format.
- Fast-charging capabilities.
- Operating frequency bands.
- Maximum radiated output power.
Additionally, manufacturers must maintain Technical Documentation for 10 years and establish appropriate sample-testing procedures.
The guidance also provides specific scope considerations for automotive radio equipment, civilian drones, autonomous maritime radio devices, and radio-enabled toys.
For automotive radio equipment, UNECE Regulation 10 remains the primary framework for EMC requirements. Civilian drones operating in the “open” and “specific” categories also fall within specific RED considerations. Moreover, radio-enabled toys are moving toward requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.
Market Access and EU Economic Operator Requirements
Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 requires products placed on the EU market to identify an EU-established economic operator.
This entity may be an importer, authorized representative, or fulfillment service provider. Its contact information must appear on the product, packaging, or parcel as applicable.
The updated guidance also addresses post-market software modifications. When a software update changes the product’s original radio parameters, functionality, or risk level, authorities may consider it a substantial modification.
In those cases, the modified equipment requires a new conformity assessment and must be treated as a new product for certification purposes.
Additionally, the guidance covers updated post-Brexit labeling considerations involving the UK(NI) marking and emergency procedures under the Internal Market Emergency and Resilience Act (IMERA).
Supporting European Union Regulatory Compliance
These developments demonstrate how RED compliance increasingly combines technical standards, cybersecurity, product information, conformity assessment, and market surveillance obligations.
Companies placing radio equipment on the European market should evaluate how the updated guidance affects their existing compliance documentation and certification strategies.
For support monitoring evolving European Union regulatory requirements and maintaining visibility over market-access changes, explore Entirety’s Global Regulatory Updates Service.
Impact Assessment
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Technical Standards?
Yes -
Type Approval & Market Access?
Yes -
Imports, Customs, Trade, or Market Surveillance?
Yes -
Spectrum Management?
No
