Upcoming Changes for Wireless Equipment operating in the 2.4 GHz Band EN 300 328

By Deniz Demirci, Senior Wireless / EMC Engineer, NTS Silicon ValleyEN 300 328 V2.1.1 was harmonized and listed in the Official Journal of the European Union under Directive 2014/53/EU for RED (Radio Equipment Directive) on January 13, 2017. This version of the standard covers the essential requirements of article 3.2 of RED for 2.4 GHz ISM band WiFi, Bluetooth, and other Wideband transceivers.Manufacturers of these types of equipment can still use the R&TTE Directive - 1999/5/EC (Radio and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment Directive) and its harmonized standard EN 300 328 V1.9.1 in their Declaration of Conformities (DoC) until June 12, 2017.After this date, manufacturers of any radio device who enter any country which requires CE marking, have to use the RED (Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU) in their DoC.This is applicable for all new products as well as for products that are currently being marketed and intended to be placed on the market after this date. Products which DoCs are not updated the RED are not to be placed on the European Union market after June 12, 2017.Manufacturers should follow EN 300 328 V2.1.1 requirements and update their test reports for their current products as soon as possible since there is significant change in the essential requirements.

• The Receiver Blocking requirement is unconditionally applicable to all radio equipment regardless of receiver category or adaptivity capability. This is a major change from the previous version of the standard.

Since the Receiver Blocking was previously conditionally applicable to the adaptive equipment only and the test methods as well as the performance criteria were different, most products may have never been evaluated for this requirement before.Note: After June 12, 2017, any radio device which the standards are not yet harmonized and listed in the Official Journal of the European Union, must have a Notified Body Opinion/Type Examination Certificate in order to presume compliance with the essential requirements in Article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU - RED.