UNITED KINGDOM: UKCA marking and UK approval process – further extending the acceptance of CE marking

As follow-up on our NEWS from 26th August 2021, we want to inform as follow:

All goods that previously required CE marking do not have to bear the UKCA marking until 31 December 2024. (source)

In order to give companies  more time to prepare for the full implementation of the new UK regime, CE marked goods that fall within the scope of these guidelines and comply with the EU requirements (provided they are in line with the UK requirements) can continue to be placed on the UK market until 31 December 2024 where EU and UK requirements remain the same. This still applies to goods that have been assessed by an EU notified body.

From 1 January 2025, the UKCA mark must be used to place goods on the UK market.

Importers still need to take steps to ensure that they comply with the new importer obligations when bringing products from the EU onto the UK market.

Details: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain

Changeover of the brand appearance at 7layers

As a long-standing member of the Bureau Veritas Group, we will in future also present ourselves in our brand identity as Bureau Veritas.

For customers who have so far perceived us as 7layers, this means above all continuity in competence and reliability. Through their existing contacts, our customers will have direct access to a service portfolio that addresses all aspects of the complex world of product certification. www.cps.bureauveritas.com

Grid integration of renewable energies in Germany is a complex topic

Regardless of whether you want to connect a wind farm or a photovoltaic system to the German medium or high-voltage grid, a system certificate and a conformity declaration issued by an accredited body is required for a capacity of 135 kW or more.
Bureau Veritas CPS is accredited for this according to VDE-AR-N 4110, 4120 and 4130 for all voltage levels.

Discover our test services for renewable energies and secure your market access in Germany: https://www.bureauveritas.de/maerkte/Energieversorgung/energiesysteme

 

MOLDOVA: Revocation of label regulation from 22^nd February 2021

Contrary to the regulation regarding the prohibition of simultaneous marking of products with CE and SM logos, which came into force on 22nd February 2021 (see 7layers NEWS https://www.7layers.com/en/moldova-label-regulation-change-from-feb-2021/), the Government of the Republic of Moldova has repealed this regulation with effect from publishing the Decision No. 208 of 30th March 2022 (https://www.legis.md/cautare/getResults?doc_id=130608&lang=ro).

From this date, approved products may bear the CE and SM logos simultaneously. If the device already bears a CE logo and a national approval has been granted, the SM logo is no longer mandatory.

 

Please note:

The CE declaration of conformity and the CE mark on the product is not sufficient for placing the products on the market of the Republic of Moldova. The usual approval process must still be followed.

EU mandates minimum cyber security for wireless products

By enforcing minimum cyber security of wireless products, the EU-Commission intends to improve the resilience of the European Union against rapidly increasing cyber-threats. Especially protecting against attacks targeting widely spread but insufficiently protected Internet of Things (IoT) and consumer products.

Why Bureau Veritas – 7layers?

Based on the unique combination of:

• expertise in Radio Equipment Directive testing and involvement in standardization (Bureau Veritas – 7layers)
• combined with expert know-how in cyber security assessments (Bureau Veritas – Secura)
• and authorization as relevant Notified Body (Bureau Veritas – LCIE)

Bureau Veritas is the perfect choice for the following services:

• Consulting about the relevant technical cyber security requirements
• Assessment of conformity e.g. to ETSI EN 303 645
• EU Type Examination Certificate issued by BV-LCIE as notified body

What happened?

On 2021-10-29 the EU-Commission has adopted a Delegated Act, which activates “dormant” Articles regarding cyber security in the Radio Directive (RED).

Who is affected?

Wireless products capable of communicating over the internet such as mobile phones and tablets; toys and childcare equipment such as baby monitors; as well as a range of wearable equipment such as smartwatches or fitness trackers shall comply to this regulation.

Excluded are devices that are already covered in other (harmonized) regulations and directives, such as Medical devices, In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Civil aviation including drones and remote control systems, Motor vehicles and components intended for vehicles, Electronic road toll systems.

What’s next:

End of 2021 after a scrutiny period, where EU-Council and EU-Parliament could raise any objections, the delegated act will come into force.
THEN manufacturers CAN start to demonstrate compliance of their products to these new requirements.

By Mid of 2024 after a 30 month transition period the new requirements become mandatory
THEN manufactures MUST demonstrate compliance of their products.

The EU commission is asking European Standardisation Organisations like ETSI and CEN/CENELC to develop harmonized standards.
By participating in the these development activities, we at Bureau Veritas – 7layers are confident that ETSI EN 303 645 will play a key role in standardization.

How to comply:

Declaration of Conformity based on self-assessment is accepted as soon as harmonized Standards are available.

Alternatively and as long as harmonized standards are not available, manufacturers can prove the conformity of their products by ensuring their assessment by relevant notified bodies.

What is it about?

The newly activated Articles of the Radio Equipment Directive intend to:

• Improve network resilience (Article 3.3.d):
  Wireless devices and products will have to incorporate features to avoid harming communication networks and prevent the possibility that the devices are used to disrupt website or other services functionality.
• Better protect consumers’ privacy (Article 3.3.e):
  Wireless devices and products will need to have features to guarantee the protection of personal data. The protection of children’s rights will become an essential element of this legislation. For instance, manufacturers will have to implement new measures to prevent unauthorised access or transmission of personal data.
• Reduce the risk of monetary fraud (Article 3.3.f):
  Wireless devices and products will have to include features to minimise the risk of fraud when making electronic payments. For example, they will need to ensure better authentication control of the user in order to avoid fraudulent payments.

Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth^® RF fully validated for AoA/AoD- Direction Finding

7layers is working on Bluetooth^® RF Testing with radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz.

The Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF, a product of 7layers, is now fully validated for Direction Finding and listed in the published summer 2021 Test Case Reference List (TCRL) by the Bluetooth SIG. The Bluetooth low energy test package extension for Direction finding is in accordance to the Bluetooth Specification Part: RFPHY, version 5.3.

“By the rollout of Bluetooth low-energy devices supporting direction finding, proximity and positioning systems operating at sub-meter accuracy levels can now enable various services, such as indoor positioning, wayfinding, asset tracking, object finding, and directional discovery. This capability of high-accuracy distance measurement will become an important feature for Bluetooth enabled products”, says Magdy Ahmed, Product Manager at Interlab Test Products. “To qualify the new feature, the Bluetooth SIG has introduced a bundle of requirements for qualification mandatory starting from October 2021.”

The Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF meets all qualification requirements for Bluetooth RF and RFPHY for Classic, Low Energy (LE) as well as Direction Finding. Existing customers of the Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF can now upgrade their test platform to operate Direction Finding testing. There is also an option just to purchase the Direction Finding Test Case package.

The R&S® CMW 270 platform is used as signalling unit of the Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF and provides many features from R&D, pre-qualification and Bluetooth SIG Qualification testing. “We continue our development in creating customer values for Bluetooth testing by our active participation to the Bluetooth SIG standardization. Having a reliable, high quality and flexible test platform as well as an intensive contribution to Bluetooth SIG and deep cooperation with leading Bluetooth product providers is the key to our success for future developments”, explains Carsten Kuhfuss, Product Manager at Interlab Test Products.

The R&S® CMW test platform delivers the full range of Bluetooth® RF tests, including Bluetooth® BR/EDR, Bluetooth® low energy up to Release 5.3. In addition to Direct Test Mode (DTM) and ‘over-the-air’ (OTA) signalling tests, it supports a wide range of audio tests on Bluetooth® basic rate/enhanced data rate (BR/EDR) links. “We support the interoperability of all Bluetooth devices worldwide. In doing so, we rely on close cooperation with Bluetooth qualification test facilities such as 7layers”, says Michael Altmann, Senior Director of Product Management Mobile Radio Testers.

About 7layers

7layers is an international testing, certification and consulting service provider, specialized in wireless technologies. With its network of laboratories all over the world, 7layers supports different sectors like industry, automotive, telecommunication, health, customer products and IoT – from initial consulting and testing to world-wide certification of smart products and smart services. Complementary 7layers supports laboratories, network operators and manufacturers with its Interlab Test Products business unit to master the complex test and lifecycle management tasks that are necessary to bring reliable connected devices and IoT services to market.
Founded 1999 in Ratingen/Germany, 7layers has been a member of the Bureau Veritas Group since 2013, a global leader in the field of inspection, testing and certification with approx. 75,000 employees and an annual turnover of 4,55 Billion Euros.

www.7layers.com/en/test-products
For further information please contact: sales@interlab.com

About Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz technology group is among the trailblazers when it comes to paving the way for a safer and connected world with its leading solutions in test & measurement, technology systems, and networks & cybersecurity. Founded more than 85 years ago, the group is a reliable partner for industry and government customers around the globe. On June 30, 2020, Rohde & Schwarz had around 12,300 employees worldwide. The independent group achieved a net revenue of EUR 2.58 billion in the 2019/2020 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

UNITED KINGDOM: UKCA marking and UK approval process – extension to accepting CE marking

As follow-up on our NEWS from 11th March 2021 (https://www.7layers.com/en/united-kingdom-ukca-marking-and-uk-approval-process/), we want to inform as follow:

All goods which previously required the CE marking will not need to use the UKCA marking until 1 January 2023.
Businesses are encouraged to be ready for full implementation of the new UK regime as soon as possible. However, to allow businesses time to adjust, CE marked goods in scope of this guidance that meet EU requirements (where these match UK requirements) can continue to be placed on the GB market until 1 January 2023 where EU and UK requirements remain the same. This includes goods which have been assessed by an EU recognized notified body.
The UKCA mark must be used for placing goods on the GB market from 1 January 2023.
You will still need to take action to ensure you comply with new importer responsibilities if you are placing a product on the GB market from the EU market.

For full details see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/placing-manufactured-goods-on-the-market-in-great-britain

Bureau Veritas – 7layers and ioXt Alliance Expand Partnership in Asia

Bureau Veritas is now expanding its regional coverage by opening Service and Competence Centers in Asia

After the successful ioXt Alliance Asia Summer Summit in June 2021, Bureau Veritas is proud to announce that it’s increasing its engagement with the ioXt Alliance, and opening Competence and Service Centers for ioXt Alliance-related cyber security services in Asia.

“The Consumer Product Services Division of Bureau Veritas and the ioXt Alliance complement each other well, ” said Brad Ree, CTO of the ioXt Alliance. “As the global standard for IoT security, it’s important that we continue to help organizations in all regions provide security and transparency for all end-users. This will help them make better informed decisions and will keep them cyber-safe.”

Both organisations have a global approach to cyber security for the internet of things by providing a security certification after devices are tested against rigorous standards. With scalability for consumer products being top of mind, a global presence and local competence are keys for their success in this business environment.

“The 7layers’ team in Germany, as part of Bureau Veritas, has engaged with the ioXt Alliance since 2020. During this time, we’ve demonstrated our commitment and competence to provide valuable testing services to the members of the ioXt Alliance for certification of their products against cyber security requirements.” said Michael Beine, Business Development Manager at Bureau Veritas-7layers.

To learn more, reach out to our local contacts:

Europe – Germany: Michael Beine | info@7layers.com
Asia – China: Helen Huang | contact@cn.bureauveritas.com
Asia – Taiwan: Kenny Lee | service.adt@tw.bureauveritas.com

Further information about Bureau Veritas Cyber Security Services, visit:

www.cps.bureauveritas.com/needs/cybersecurity

To learn more about the ioXt Alliance, visit:

www.ioxtalliance.org

Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth^® RF fully validated for AoA/AoD – Direction Finding

We are pleased to announce that the Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth^® RF is now fully validated for AoA/AoD Direction Finding and listed in the summer 2021 Test Case Reference List (TCRL) by the Bluetooth^® SIG.
The Bluetooth low energy test package extension for Direction finding in accordance to the Bluetooth Specification Part: RFPHY, version 5.3 is now available.

A Bluetooth low-energy device supporting Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) plays a central role for Direction Finding capabilities and will become an important feature for Bluetooth enabled products.
To qualify the new feature, the Bluetooth SIG has introduced a bundle of requirements for qualification.

The corresponding Bluetooth SIG qualification will become mandatory starting from October 2021.
The new TCRL will be published mid of July 2021.

The Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF meets all qualification requirements for Bluetooth RF and RF-PHY for Classic, Low Energy (LE) as well as Direction Finding.
Existing customers of the Interlab Test Solution Bluetooth RF can now upgrade their test platform to operate Direction Finding testing.
There is also an option just to purchase the Direction Finding Test Case package.

We continue our development in creating customer values for Bluetooth testing by our active participation to the Bluetooth SIG standardization.
Having a reliable, high quality and flexible test platform, an intensive contribution to Bluetooth SIG and deep cooperation with leading Bluetooth product provides is the key to our success for future developments.

For further information please contact sales@interlab.com

ETSI 300 328 V2.2.2 will become mandatory on the 6th August 2021

ETSI 300 328 V2.2.2, the European 2.4GHz harmonized standard will become mandatory on the 6th August 2021. The ETSI EN 300 328 transition period will end on this date. All products evaluated to previous versions will then need to satisfy the requirements for V2.2.2.

The specifications for broadband transmission in the 2.4GHz band are regulated by ETSI EN 300 328, such as:

• Bluetooth Classic + EDR
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Wi-Fi
• Other wideband and frequency hopping (FHSS) data transmission equipment in the 2400-2483.5MHz band