Electronics design teams face a significant hurdle when bringing new products to market: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance. Far from being a simple checkbox exercise, EMC standards represent a complex web of requirements that vary by region, industry, and product type. These expensive, technically dense documents are often fully understood by only a select few specialists.
Yet understanding which EMC standards apply to your specific product is crucial for successful market entry. Without proper compliance planning, your innovative design could face costly delays, failed certifications, and market access barriers.
This article will give readers guidance on how to determine which EMC standards apply to their products. Once the relevant standards are identified, a design team can plan for the range of tests that their product will need to pass. Additional guidance is available from EMC labs, consultants, and documents published by regulatory agencies.
Your device's specific attributes directly influence which standards you'll need to meet:
Power handling capabilities: Higher power devices typically face stricter emissions limits
Communication methods: Wireless products must comply with additional radio frequency standards
Deployment environment: Products for sensitive environments (medical, military, etc.) face more rigorous testing
Target markets: Each region has unique regulatory requirements
Because different countries have different regulatory standards, the first place to start when looking at EMC requirements is with the regulatory bodies in the regions where you want to sell your product. These regulatory bodies are required to make this information publicly available, and they typically post high-level descriptions of product categories and testing requirements on their websites. They may also reference other industry standards that are relevant for certain product categories.
To learn more about EMC requirements from the world's major regulatory bodies, take a look at these websites:
For US and EU products, the standards most likely to apply are CFR 47 Part 15 and CISPR 23, respectively. Depending on what industry or product category your device falls under, there will be additional standards or superseding standards that apply.
Products used in certain industries have their own sets of EMC standards that are intended to ensure product safety and reliability. The standards specify radiated and conducted emissions limits, immunity or susceptibility requirements, and testing methods to ensure product compliance. The performance requirements and testing methods listed in these standards may go above and beyond the regulatory standards for common products. The testing methods may also be unique or involve conditions that are not typically encountered in most products.
EMC standards found in different industries include the following:
Automotive - FCC, CISPR, SAE, and ISO have all published EMC standards for different automotive electronic products.
Commercial aerospace - Some of these standards have been adapted from US military standards, while others come from RTCA (e.g., DO-160 and DO-178).
Military aerospace - Depending on the country deploying the equipment, standards from the US military, RTCA, IEC, or ISO may apply.
Medical devices - One of the most commonly cited standards is IEC 60601-1-2, but others from ANSI, CISPR, and ISO are also used.
To determine the applicability of the standards, start with the regulatory standards in the markets where you plan to sell your product, then look closer at industry standards to determine superseding requirements or specialized test requirements.
One important point to note is that some companies have their own set of proprietary EMC standards with which they require equipment to comply. For example, in the automotive industry, the major US automakers have developed their own EMC standards that govern equipment provided to them by their vendors. These standards may also apply to companies developing aftermarket electronic equipment for automotive use. If aftermarket equipment is intended for use with a specific manufacturer's vehicles, it is a good idea to consult their standards to determine if they also apply to certain aftermarket products.
Identifying the correct EMC standards early in the design phase can save months of costly rework. DENPAFLUX specialises in helping electronics companies navigate this process, offering tailored guidance based on:
Analyze your product specifications to determine which standards will apply based on functionality, power requirements, and communication methods
Identify target market requirements by mapping your distribution plans against regional regulatory frameworks
Determine industry-specific standards that may supersede or complement general regulatory requirements
Research applicable proprietary standards when your product integrates with specific manufacturers' systems
The most effective time to identify applicable EMC standards is during the concept and planning phase of your product development. DENPAFLUX's early-stage consulting includes:
Preliminary standards identification based on product concept
Architecture review with standards compliance in mind
Component selection guidance to support compliance goals
Risk assessment for challenging compliance areas
While identifying the correct standards is the crucial first step, DENPAFLUX offers additional services to support your compliance journey:
Standards interpretation to help you understand complex requirements
Test planning based on the identified standards
Design review to assess compliance with the targeted standards
Pre-compliance testing to validate your design against the standards before formal certification
Successfully navigating EMC standards begins with accurately identifying which requirements apply to your specific product. By partnering with DENPAFLUX at the earliest stages of product development, you can:
Eliminate uncertainty about which standards apply to your product
Design with confidence knowing you're targeting the right compliance requirements
Avoid costly surprises and redesigns during certification
Build EMC compliance into your product from the ground up
Get expert guidance today! Schedule a free compliance consultation with DENPAFLUX and take the guesswork out of EMC standards. Let’s bring your product to market faster without the compliance headaches.