ETSI, which is supported by the Radio Equipment Directive (RED, 2014/53/EU), publishes many Harmonised European Standards. Manufacturers must comply with these harmonised standards. Harmonised standards are prepared according to the features of the products. These standards set basic requirements for electromagnetic compatibility and efficient use of the radio spectrum.

Which harmonised standard should apply for your product?

Here we will give an example for a radio equipment. We will mention which harmonised standards of this radio equipment we have determined should be tested.

If you are producing UHF RFID reader device, we will tell you about the steps required for CE marking. RFID readers are available in many different types depending on where they are used. It operates at frequencies ranging from Short Range Devices (SRD) 9 kHz to 3 000 GHz.

Based on the RED (2014/53 / EU) Directive, there are harmonised standards set by ETSI for RFID readers. As you know, RED’s main standard is EN 301 489-1. Depending on this standard, the RFID reader will be subject to the EN 301 489-3 standard.  These two standards EN 301 489-3 and EN 301 489-1 describe the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) observations and tests of Short-Range Devices (SRD) and auxiliary equipment. It can be found on ports such as HDMI USB on the RFID reader.  If the USB ports on the RFID reader will only be used to connect equipment such as keyboard and mouse and there will be no storage function, there is no need to perform a USB specific test. As these are ITE ports, the product can be evaluated as Multimedia equipment and these ports are tested according to EN 55032 / EN55035 standards. According to the EMC directive (2014/30/EU), EN 55032 is Emission Tests and EN 55035 is the standard of Immunity Tests. RFID feature is also tested according to EN 301489-1/3 standards. In both cases, all ports are tested. Radiated emission test is a test applied in EN 55032 standard. This test takes place in a semi anechoic chamber. The frequency range of the test is 30 MHz – 1000 MHz. RFID reader should be below the limit values specified by the standard. The spread of the RFID reader can be versatile. Therefore, the receiving antenna takes measurements from 1 to 4 meters high.

It is valid in the reader module used on
harmonized standards. There are harmonized standards depending on the operating
frequency of the reader. There are standards for observing and testing that
existing frequencies are being used to the best. If your RFID reader has
maximum power limits of up to 2 W for this device in the 865 MHz to 868 MHz
frequency band and up to 4 W in the 915 MHz to 921 MHz frequency band, the EN
302 208 standard must be applied. (If the reader module is approved by the
manufacturer, it does not need to be retested on the product.)

The types of equipment covered by EN 302
208 are as follows:

Fixed queries;

• portable queryers;

• battery-free labels;

• battery backed labels;

• battery-operated labels.

Essential issues to be considered according to EN 301 489-3 standard:

EMC laboratory is important. Therefore, EMC test laboratories, which serve with a strong test engineer staff, should be selected. RFID engineer should be aware that the EMC laboratory is applying the test standard correctly. There are points in the standard that concern the technical characteristics of the RFID reader. One thing to note is when more than one antenna is used in the RFID reader product.  The product can have Tx or Rx separate antennas and different operating frequencies depending on the antenna specifications. If there is RF antenna connector on the equipment to be tested, there are differences in the testing process. During the test, this antenna will be removed. It must be routed between the EUT antenna connector and the measuring and / or testing equipment by a coaxial cable.

The tables below are related to the tests to be applied in EN 301 489-1 / 3 standard. Whether the tests are applied to the ports or not varies according to the product usage (fixed-portable). In general, RFID reader product works with adapter. In this context, since the product will be used with the adapter in the Emission tests of the standard, which is connected to the RED directive, it should be evaluated under the fixed-use option.

Did you check the list of harmonised standards?

Harmonised standards under Radio Equipment Directive (RED, 2014/53/EU)

You can also find the latest status information of harmonised standards developed according to Radio Equipment Directive by ETSI’s Radio Equipment Directive online work platform: ETSI’s online work programme for the Radio Equipment Directive.

Testups provides testing service according to the relevant standards of the RFID reader. Send us the specifications and requirements of your product and we will test it for you as soon as possible. Please visit our Contact Us page by clicking the button below: