Directive on telecommunication equipment adopted
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union has adopted Directive 1999/5/EC, which outlines harmonized standards on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity. This Directive establishes a regulatory framework for the placing on the market, free movement and putting into service in the Community of radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment. Article 3 of the Directive outlines the essential requirements, which are applicable to all apparatus: - The protection of the health and safety of the user and any other person; - The protection requirements with respect to electromagnetic compatibility. In addition, radio equipment has to be constructed so that it effectively uses the spectrum allocated to terrestrial/space radio communication and orbital resources in order to avoid harmful interference. The Directive entered into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities (7 April 1999).