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RED

Radio Equipment Directive

Cybersecurity requirements

With the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), the EU Commission has created a regulatory framework for placing radio equipment on the market.

On this page you will find everything you need to know about the RED.

What is the Radio Equipment Directive?

The Radio Equipment Directive (also known as Directive 2014/53/EU or "Radio Equipment Directive") establishes a harmonised regulatory framework for the placing on the market of radio equipment in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The essential requirements relate to safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and the efficient use of the radio spectrum. If manufacturers, importers or distributors wish to place their products on the market in the European Economic Area, they must prove that the radio technologies they contain fulfil the requirements of the RED prior to market approval.

Who is affected by the Radio Equipment Directive?

The RED is aimed at manufacturers and distributors of radio equipment. The directive defines what is meant by radio equipment:

  • An electrical or electronic product intended to emit and/or receive radio waves for the purpose of radiocommunication and/or radiolocation,
  • or an electrical or electronic product that requires accessories, such as an antenna, to enable it to transmit and/or receive radio waves as intended for the purpose of radiocommunication and/or radiolocation (Article 2, Paragraph 1, No. 1 RED).

Examples of this are radio transmitters/receivers, devices with WLAN, Bluetooth or NFC function, systems with navigation technology, smartphones or remote controls.

Radio equipment exempt from the Directive is listed in Article 1(3) RED and in Annex 1.

What is the current status of the Radio Equipment Directive?

June 2016

The application of the RED has been binding throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) since 13 June 2016.

January 2022

Delegated Regulation 2022/30/EU was published in the Official Journal of the European Union at the beginning of 2022. It contains additional requirements for cybersecurity, data protection and fraud protection and will become binding from 1 August 2025.

December 2022

At the end of 2022, an extension directive (Directive 2022/2380) was also published, which will apply from 28 December 2024. It stipulates the standardised use of USB-C chargers.

General requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive

- Protection of the health and safety of humans, pets and livestock

- Adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility in accordance with Directive 2014/30/EU

- Effective use of radio frequencies and support for the efficient use of radio frequencies

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Additional requirements apply to certain categories or classes of radio equipment:

  • Compatibility with accessories
  • Cooperation via networks with other radio systems
  • EU-wide connection via interfaces of the appropriate type
  • Protection of the network
  • Security devices for personal data and privacy
  • Protection against fraud
  • Ensuring access to emergency services
  • Ease of use for people with disabilities
  • Ensuring that only software that has been proven to be compliant with the radio equipment can be loaded

Cybersecurity requirements

In 2022, the EU Commission published Delegated Regulation 2022/30/EU, which requires compliance with Article 3.3 (d), (e) and (f). These contain basic cybersecurity requirements and apply to all radio equipment that can communicate itself via the internet - regardless of whether it communicates directly or via other devices.

  • Article 3.3 (d): Network protection
    Manufacturers must ensure that their radio equipment does not have a harmful effect on the network and prevents interference with services.
  • Article 3.3 (e): Personal data and privacy protection 
    Radio equipment must have security measures in place to protect personal data and the privacy of users.
  • Article 3.3 (f): Fraud protection
    Manufacturers must integrate certain fraud protection functionalities into their radio equipment.

Harmonized standards for radio equipment

The specific technical requirements that the RED places on radio equipment are set out in the form of harmonised standards, among other things. By complying with these standards, manufacturers and distributors of radio equipment can prove that the essential requirements of the directive are met. They are not mandatory, but do provide a means of providing proof.

An overview of the harmonised standards is available on the website of the EU Commission website.