Directive 2014/35/EU) (2006/95/EC (ex-73/23/EEC) Low voltage

Directive 2014/35/EU relating to electrical safety is applied to all electrical equipment which are intended to be sold or used in the EU countries at a nominal voltage of 50 to 1000V AC and 75 to 1500V DC. (New Directive LVD 2014/35/EU) Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 209 Rīgā 2016. gada 12. aprīlī Iekārtu elektrodrošības noteikumi

Electrical Safety Directive does not apply to electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX), Medical electrical equipment, including X-rays, various types of elevator electrical components and sub-assemblies, electric meters, various types of electric field measuring instruments, as well as special equipment for use in rail, aviation and marine use. As regards to the listed products there are directives in the European Union concerning directly to this output.

Low Voltage Directive applies to consumer products, various types of electrical equipment, electrical hand tools, the various meanings of lighting products and electrical installed equipment, an extension cable and connector system devices. Electrical Safety Directive applies and certain electrical equipment and electrical equipment, as well as devices that may be installed on another device and equipment, and safety compliance is dependent on the specific electrical equipment.

Electrical machinery and equipment electrical components alone do not pass the certification procedures and not are individually marked with the CE mark, checks are carried out on the entire product as a whole.

LVD Directive applies not only to power caused risks, but also the mechanical, chemical, which in turn depends on the concrete products. Electrical Safety Directive also includes concepts such as vibration, ergonomics, noise.

European Union countries must use safety principles in accordance with Directive 2014/35/EU and is not entitled to ask manufacturers another security level, that is not provided for in the EU Directive. The manufacturer has a duty to provide safe products based on its compliance with the LVD Directive. In the absence of European and national standards that can be applied in the design and manufacture of a product, the manufacturer is entitled to provide security to the requirements by basing of international standards or other characteristics which are not inconsistent with the requirements of Directive.

Electrical Safety Directive often enough also applies to products which comply with the other EU Directives, such as the Construction Products Directive 89/106/EEC, Directive 92/42/EEC, Directive 2009/42/EC and other directives.

Products relating to the LVD Directive must comply with EU harmonized standards. The products which do not undergo the CE certification procedure (CE label rights) are not allowed in the EU market. All electrical product manufacturers or importers must ensure their products comply with the LVD Directive.

The manufacturer must take all measures necessary to ensure that the manufacturing process ensures that the product complies with the technical documentation and the requirements of Directive 2014/35/EU, as well as harmonized standards (European standards) or technical solutions if they have been applied and comply with the provisions of the Directive.

All products, which comply with the LVD Directive must also comply with Restriction of Hazardous Substance Directive (RoHS Directive). Matter content testing in accordance with the RoHS Directive is mandatory. Deadlines, procedures and costs can be determined only when in the presence of sample of the product.

The manufacturer must prepare the technical documentation (technical file), which must include: 

- project documentation, drawings, components and assemblies systems;

- descriptions and explanations to the product schemes and drawings;

- evidence base for compliance with Directive;

- list of harmonized standards (European standards), which were applied in full or in part, and descriptions of the solutions adopted to fulfill the product safety;

- test results and protocols.