Directive on telecommunications terminal and satellite earth station equipment
A recent Directive (98/13/EC) relating to telecommunications terminal and satellite earth station equipment, including mutual conformity recognition, has now been published in the Official Journal. This new Directive replaces two existing Directives covering the above areas with a single text in order to simplify Community law in the field. The Directive aims to ensure effective and efficient harmonized procedures for certification, testing, marking, quality assurance and product surveillance. It also aims to ensure that standards are harmonized at European level, in order to safeguard the general interest in the design and manufacture of terminal equipment. The introduction of mutual recognition of type approval for satellite earth station equipment is viewed as a precondition for a Community-wide market for such equipment. It also lays down the essential requirements for terminal and satellite equipment, including user safety, safety of employees, protection of the public telecommunications network, effective use of radio frequency spectrum, interworking of terminal equipment and electromagnetic compatibility requirements. The Commission will be assisted in the implementation of measures under this Directive by an advisory committee, composed of representatives of Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. This committee will be known as the Approvals Committee for Terminal Equipment (ACTE). The Directive enters into force on 2 April 1998.