Laser Safety Micro Course

This may by called a "micro-course", but it is anything but that.  It's a good laser introductory course that exposes you (yes, pun intended) to laser basics through labeling requirements.

Laser Safety Micro-Course
Based on the Laser-Professionals, Inc. (LPI) Free Mirco-Course

The CB Scheme and Manufacturer Compliance Test Programs

As we move ever closer to a global economy, it becomes increasingly important for manufacturers to ensure that their product compliance programs address wordwide requirements in an ever increasingly efficient manner.

One program, implemented by IECEE (IEC System for Conformity testing and Certification of Electrotechnical Equipment and Components), known as the CB Scheme, may be of primary importance to manufacturers.  The Scheme is intended to reduce obstacles to international trade which arise from having to meet different national certification or approval criteria.

However, if a manufacturer participates in some form of supervised testing program under the auspices of an NCB, there are some countries which, although they are full participants in the Scheme, have certain levels of acceptance which may be unkown to manufacturers who are fully expectant of un-impeeded entries into participating countries.  Follw the link below for a breakdown, by country, of the different levels of acceptance;

Acceptance of Manufacturer's Testing Laboratories programs under the CB Scheme

Interlocks

Part 1 - What Do Those Categories Really Mean?

Part 2 - Category 1

Guidance on CCC Marking for China

The following links provide some guidance on the process to obtain the CCC Mark;

• China compulsory certification online service centre ( A Chinese site)
• Application forms for submissions (from the above website);  Click Here
• China: The Final Frontier in Telecom Approvals - by Leslie Bai (as Published in CE Mag)
• Guidance from Intertek Testing Services
• A Procedure from TUV Rheinland

The Field Inspection Process

In doing some research on the field inspection process worldwide, I came across this excellent article from Conformity magazine;

http://www.conformity.com/artman/publish/printer_226.shtml

Be sure to click on the link provided within to download a pdf, if you would like a hardcopy.

World Noise Exposure Standards - List

Here is a great listing of the noise (audible) exposure standards arround the world.  As the author points out the list is not complete, but it should serve as a great reference point from which to begin research on this topic.

http://staff.washington.edu/rneitzel/standards.htm

Updated Guidance On The New EMC Directive

This Guide has been structured in a logical way suitable for users who need to ensure that their equipment is in conformity with the EMC Directive. It is divided into the following Chapters:

1. Scope:  Allows manufacturers or others to quickly decide whether their equipment falls under the scope of the EMC Directive and if so, if it is apparatus or a fixed installation.
2. Essential requirements provide an overview of the mandatory requirements.
3. Conformity assessment procedure for apparatus: gives information including: the usual steps of an EMC assessment; information and documentation requirements; EC Declaration of Conformity and CE marking. 
4. More detailed guidance is provided for an EMC assessment where harmonised standards are not used or do not cover all protection requirements.
5. Procedures for fixed installations: on the relevant requirements and documentation needed for fixed installations, including the use of apparatus specifically for incorporation into a given fixed installation.
6. Enforcement of the EMC Directive: relates to the duties of the national competent authorities in ensuring only compliant apparatus circulated in the Community, with further information on apparatus intended for demonstration at trade-fairs. In parallel, to ensure that fixed installations meet the essential requirements.
7. Notified Bodies: their role, selection, coordination and the treatment of complaints.

Click HERE to access or download the guide.

Japan Market Electrical Device Product Safety Information Resources

A compiled list of informational resources for importation of medical electrical devices in Japan.  This is not an all-inclusive list, but it will get you started.

Japanese Industrial Standards Committee

Japan  METI - Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry

Japan DENAN - Electrcial Appliance and Material Safety Law

Japan PMDA - Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency

Japan External Trade Organization - Information on Standards and Regulations

TUV Rheinland, Japan

The CE Marking Process

Excerpted from: BSI Website

The CE marking process

Step 1: Identify the Directive(s) that are applicable to your product. You can download these directives free of charge from the European Union website

Step 2: Identify the conformity assessment procedure that must be taken. This could be self-declaration, involve testing, inspection or quality system assessment from a Notified Body or a combination of these. The conformity assessment procedure will differ depending on your product and the Directive in respect of which you will be CE marking. If you are unsure about which procedure to take, please Contact Us for advice.

Step 3: Determine the dates by which you must take action. This will be the date that the Directive comes into force. The majority of directives are already in force. In these cases, it is an offence to place a product on the market without CE marking because it indicates a presumption of conformity with all relevant Legislation.

Step 4: Identify if there are any Harmonised European Standards applicable to your product. These are not always mandatory for manufacturers although there is a presumption that conformity to these standards will give conformity with the relevant part of the Directive. Whenever possible or appropriate, manufacturers should follow harmonised standards.

Step 5: Ensure the product complies with all the essential requirements of the Directive(s). Take appropriate measures to comply or identify existing data and test reports.

Step 6: Identify whether independent assessment of your conformity to the Directive, or some aspects of it, is required from a Notified Body. This will be stated in the directive and is dependent upon the product you are CE marking. You must not affix CE marking to your product until all necessary certifications have been obtained from the Notified Body.

Step 7: Maintain Technical Documentation required by the Directive(s). Your technical documentation should support your compliance with the requirements of the Directive. It is essential to retain this documentation.

Step 8: Prepare the Declaration of Conformity and the required supporting evidence. The Declaration of Conformity along with the Technical Documentation should be available to Competent Authorities (EU Members) upon request.

Step 9: Check that no other purely national requirements exist in the countries where the product will be sold. These may include national standards, labelling or packaging requirements.

Step 10: Affix CE marking on your product and/or its packaging and accompanying literature as stated in the directive.