The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC (note: the text is identical to 73/23/EEC just a change in its number due to codification) provides the harmonisation of essential safety objectives for electrical equipment ,through a combination of mandatory health and safety requirements and voluntary harmonised standards. It seeks to ensure that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits gives a high level of protection to the users in the Single Market of the European Union. The Directive covers electrical equipment with a voltage rating of between 50 and 1000 V ac and between 75 and 1500 V dc.
The Low Voltage Directive has been implemented in the United Kingdom under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The letters 'CE' on an electrical product indicates the manufacturer's declararation that the equipment meets with the eleven "safety objectives" of the Low Voltage Directive in that it does not jeopardise the safety of people, domestic animals or property.
Compliance with the appropriate Harmonised European Standards (“Euro Norms” or EN’s) is recognised as meeting with these safety objectives.
Before a product is placed on the market the following must happen:
- The manufacturer must put together Technical Documentation which makes it possible to assess whether the product complies with the directive.
- The manufacturer or the authorised representative must draw up a ‘Declaration of Conformity’
- The manufacturer or the authorised representative must affix the CE mark.
A copy of the Low Voltage 2006/95/EC may be downloaded here.