2026-03-20
Author: cora
Page view: 1065
| Directive | Scope | Key Standards |
| Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU | Electrical equipment operating 50–1000V AC or 75–1500V DC | IEC/EN 62368-1 (replaced EN 60065 as of Dec 2020) |
| EMC Directive 2014/30/EU | All electrical & electronic products | EN 55032 (emissions), EN 55035 (immunity) |
| Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU | Products using radio spectrum (wireless PA, IP audio with Wi-Fi/BT) | EN 300 328, EN 301 489, EN 62368-1 |
| RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) | Restriction of hazardous substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) | IEC 62321 series |
| WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU | Producer responsibility for end-of-life disposal and recycling | Registration with national WEEE compliance schemes |
| Ecodesign Regulation 2019/2021 | Energy-related products (applicable to certain audio devices) | Standby and off-mode power consumption limits |
| EN 54 Part | Coverage | Relevance for PA |
| EN 54-16 | Voice alarm control and indicating equipment | Core standard for VA controllers and PA matrices |
| EN 54-24 | Components of voice alarm systems — loudspeakers | All loudspeakers in fire evacuation systems |
| EN 54-4 | Power supply equipment | Backup power / battery systems in VA |
| EN 54-21 | Alarm transmission and fault warning routing equipment | IP-based VA systems transmitting alarm data |
| Authorization Type | Applicable Products | Process |
| SDoC (Supplier's Declaration of Conformity) | Unintentional radiators: Wired PA amplifiers, mixers, wired DSP processors, wired conference units. | Self-declaration after testing at an FCC-accredited lab. No FCC filing is required, but compliance records must be retained. |
| Certification (Equipment Authorization) | Intentional radiators: Wireless PA microphones, wireless conference systems, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth IP audio endpoints, DECT conference units. | Must be tested at an FCC-accredited TCB (Telecommunications Certification Body). An FCC ID is issued. Grant of authorization is required before sale. |
| Aspect | CE (EU/EEA) | UKCA (Great Britain) |
| Coverage | 30 EEA (European Economic Area) countries | England, Scotland, and Wales |
| Governing Body | European Commission | Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) |
| Standards | EU Harmonized Standards (EN series) | UK Designated Standards (BS EN series, largely identical to EN) |
| Third-Party Testing | EU Notified Bodies (required for specific categories) | UK Approved Bodies |
| DoC Requirement | EU Declaration of Conformity | UK Declaration of Conformity |
| Transition Status | Ongoing / Mandatory | CE marking is still accepted in GB for most products until December 31, 2027 (based on latest OPSS guidance) |
| Product Category | CCC / National Standard | Notes |
| Audio amplifiers, powered speakers, PA processors | GB 8898 / GB 4706.1 (and specific parts) | Safety standards for AV equipment; transitioning from legacy GB 8898 (based on IEC 60065) to aligned GB 4943.1. |
| Information technology equipment (including IP audio) | GB 4943.1 (aligned with IEC 62368-1) | Mandatory for IP-based audio devices and networked communication endpoints classified as ITE. |
| Wireless microphones and RF audio devices | GB 4943.1 + SRRC Type Approval | Requires both electrical safety (CCC) and radio frequency authorization from the State Radio Regulatory Commission (SRRC). |
| Conference systems | GB 4943.1 + specific GB/T standards | In addition to CCC, large-scale enterprise or government conference systems may require sector-specific performance certifications. |
| Certification | Typical Duration | Estimated Cost (USD) | Annual Maintenance |
| CE (LVD + EMC, wired PA) | 4–8 weeks | $2,000–$6,000 | None (Self-declaration) |
| CE + RED (wireless PA / IP audio) | 6–12 weeks | $4,000–$10,000 | None (Self-declaration) |
| CE + EN 54 (voice alarm) | 3–6 months | $15,000–$40,000 | Annual surveillance by Notified Body |
| FCC SDoC (wired equipment) | 3–6 weeks | $1,500–$4,000 | None |
| FCC Certification (wireless) | 6–10 weeks | $5,000–$15,000 | None (until product modification) |
| UKCA | 2–4 weeks (if CE data available) | $1,000–$3,000 | None |
| RCM (Australia) | 4–8 weeks | $3,000–$8,000 | Annual EESS registration fee |
| CCC (China) | 3–6 months | $8,000–$20,000 | Annual factory surveillance: $2,000–$5,000 |
| BIS India | 2–4 months | $3,000–$8,000 | Annual renewal: $500–$1,500 |
| PSE Japan (Circle) | 4–8 weeks | $3,000–$7,000 | None (Circle PSE) |
| KC Korea | 4–8 weeks | $3,000–$8,000 | None for self-declaration; annual for some |
| SABER Saudi Arabia | 4–8 weeks + platform registration | $3,000–$8,000 | Annual certificate renewal |
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