Directives

• A Directive is a European law that is binding for, and enforced by every Member State as a National Law.
• Directives contain requirements that the manufacturer must comply with, for the product to be allowed access in the internal market of member countries.

• Low Voltage Directive: a horizontal directive that applies to all electrical products.
• Electromagnetic
• Machinery Directive.
• ATEX Directive (for products used in explosion atmospheres).
• Medical Device Directive.
• Equipment Explosive Atmospheres.
• Simple Pressure Vessels Directive.
• Pressure Equipment.
• RoHS(Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances) Directive.
• WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive
  

Essential Requirements and Standards

• Each Directive contains a set of “Essential Safety/Protection. Requirements” that are mandatory to comply with.
• Directives specify “what” is required and “why”, but not “how” to comply
• Standards show “how” to comply, but are voluntary.
• Compliance with appropriate harmonized European Norms (EN)- Standards- presumes compliance with the essential requirements of the relevant Directives