Market monitoring

Radio equipment

Any device which can emit and/or receive radio waves is a radio equipment.

Here are a few examples:

• Smartphones and cordless telephones;
• Mobile radio transmitters/receivers (PMR) used in the following domains: companies, maritime sector, aviation, security services, broadcasting, radio amateurs...;
• Remote controls of doors (gates, garages, cars)...;
• Wireless equipment such as alarm systems, microphones and earpieces, headphones, cameras...;
• All devices equipped with a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth chip: computers, tablets, keyboards, computer mice, smartwatches...;
• Drones, connected or radio-controlled toys...;
• Aids to navigation (GPS, Galileo, Glonas), radars, trackers;
• Connected home appliances: fridges, coffee machines, toothbrushes, robot vacuum cleaners...
• Wireless thermometers/barometers, weather stations; 
• Radio receivers.

Legislation

The legislation provides that radio equipment placed on the market (marketed) must comply with essential requirements. 

These requirements are related to:

• an effective and efficient use of radio spectrum to avoid harmful interference;
• electromagnetic compatibility;
• health;
• the safety of persons and of domestic animals;
• the protection of property; 
• certain administrative provisions.

To that end, manufacturers carry out or have carried out the conformity assessment procedures. When, at the conclusion of these procedures, radio devices are shown to be compliant with the essential requirements, the manufacturers:

• draw up an EU declaration of conformity;
• affix the CE marking.

Market monitoring

BIPT is tasked with the monitoring of the radio equipment marketed in Belgium. The EquiTel Monitoring department of BIPT (tel: 02 226 87 01) carries out checks on manufacturers, importers and distributors (e.g.: appliance stores, IT stores, stores selling medical, electrical or electronic equipment, DIY materials, etc.) and monitors the external borders in cooperation with the customs service (importation of containers, postal parcels, e-commerce, etc.).

Market monitoring protects the consumer, contributes to fair competition and prevents the marketing of devices that may pose a risk to the population and/or cause harmful interference.

Conformity

How can you check the conformity of radio equipment before buying it?

The declaration of conformity must be dated and signed by the manufacturer.

If these three elements are present, the risk of buying non-compliant equipment is significantly reduced. 

However, in addition to the compliance requirement, additional restrictions may apply to radio equipment in a number of EU Member States.