The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) carried out a national control campaign during March and April to identify radio equipment and devices manufactured in countries outside the European Union that are non-compliant and are sold mainly through small shops. Radio equipment and devices that fail to meet legal requirements can affect the proper functioning of communications and, in extreme cases, may even prevent calls to emergency services, including 112, the fire brigade and the police.
Among the non-compliant products identified by ANCOM’s teams were wireless speakers, wireless headphones, FM modulators, wireless doorbells, radio receivers, wireless keyboard and mouse kits.
Control campaign
ANCOM carried out 1,070 inspections, applying 801 warnings and 728 contravention fines, with a total value of RON 2,207,600.
ANCOM’s campaign was aimed at preventing the risks associated with the use of non-compliant equipment, ensuring a high level of protection for end users, including in terms of public safety, health, and aligning commercial activities with the applicable technical and legislative requirements. The campaign also included follow-up inspections of economic operators where non-compliance had been identified in the past.
At the same time, the control teams provided traders with information on the legal framework and the procedures required to conduct their activities in full compliance with the law.
Before being placed on the market, radio equipment must bear the CE marking and be accompanied by an EU Declaration of Conformity and a user manual in Romanian. Manufacturers, importers and distributors of such equipment must also ensure compliance with all applicable legal obligations.
Non-compliant equipment causes interference
A key indicator of a product’s compliance with European Union legislation is the marking. Any equipment marketed or put into service within of the European Union – therefore including on the Romanian market – without a marking is automatically considered non-compliant.
A radio equipment is considered compliant when:
- Its use does not affect the health and safety of the user and any other person;
- Concerning electromagnetic compatibility, it does not generate disturbances that could affect the operation of nearby equipment;
- All administrative requirements provided by the normative acts in force are fulfilled;
- Its failure to use the radio spectrum efficiently can cause harmful interference, i.e. interference that seriously and repeatedly affects, obstructs or interrupts a radiocommunication service.
Detailed information on non-compliant equipment, obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors, relevant legislation, as well as informative materials is available here.
Examples of equipment required to bear the marking:
- radio equipment: mobile phones, desktop PCs, tablets, laptops, radio remote controls, routers, radio-controlled toys, drones, video game consoles and controllers, etc.;
- Non-radio equipment: lighting fixtures, circuit breakers, household appliances, infrared remote controls, etc.