Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
LVD applies to electronics with an input/output that ranges between 50 to 1000 volts AC, and 75 to 1500 volts DC. For example, LVD applies to kitchen appliances such as toasters, electrical grills, and similar appliances.
AC Adapters
LVD also applies to AC adapters with an input voltage ranging between 110 to 240V, and an output voltage of 5V. With that said, your kitchen appliances’ AC adapters must also compliant with the LVD.
LVD Test Reports
Some suppliers can provide LVD test reports for kitchen appliances. However, you must ensure that the test report is verifiable and issued by a reputable testing company.
Importing kitchen appliances without a valid LVD test report might result in heavy fines or even force-recall if the product results not compliant.
Therefore, we recommend that you book an LVD testing before importing it to the European Union. There are some leading testing companies that also provide LVD testing for kitchen appliances, such as SGS, Intertek, and QIMA.
LVD Testing Costs
LVD testing can cost a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. It depends on the complexity of the product. You can request a free quotation from testing companies for more details.
CE Mark
All LVD covered products must carry the CE marking. Also, you should also prepare a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), user manual and technical file for CE compliance.
EMC Directive
EMC directive ensures that all electrical and electronic equipment sold in the European Union market, comply with the restricted level of electromagnetic emissions. EMC applies to fixed electrical appliances such as fridges or ovens.
EMC Test Reports
You must obtain an EMC test report via either suppliers (but most suppliers cannot provide valid EMC test reports) or third-party testing companies. We recommend that you should book third-party testing for kitchen appliances to ensure compliance.
EMC Directive Testing Costs
EMC testing can cost from a hundred to several thousands of dollars, according to the complexity of the product.
CE Mark
Kitchen appliances within the scope of the EMC directive must carry the CE mark. The DoC, user manual, and technical files are also required.
RoHS Directive
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive regulates certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. As such, RoHS also covers electrical kitchen appliances such as toasters, or refrigerators.
Here are some restricted substances as listed below:
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
You need to ensure your kitchen appliances do not contain excessive amounts of a restricted substance, especially these substances that can be easily found in paint, batteries, and metallic parts.
RoHS Components
It is important to instruct your supplier to only use RoHS compliant components for the manufacturing process. Otherwise, the product is not considered compliant under RoHS.
RoHS Lab Testing
Not every supplier can provide RoHS test reports. Therefore, we suggest that you should book third-party lab testing for your kitchen appliances. RoHS testing starts at around $10 per component. The overall cost depends on the complexity of your product.
Here are some RoHS testing companies for kitchen appliances:
QIMA
SGS
Bureau Veritas
TUV
Intertek
CE Mark
Electrical and electronic kitchen appliances must carry the CE mark. Further, you should also issue the DoC, user manual, and technical files as required.
RoHS Symbol
You might have seen various RoHS symbols on some products; however, such a symbol has no legal value. It is commonly used to distinguish components that are RoHS compliant.
Radio Equipment Directive
The Radio Equipment Directive (RED) covers all radio, Wi-Fi, RFID, Bluetooth, 3G, LTD, and 5G enabled devices. Kitchen appliances with any of those features will need to comply with RED. Here are some examples:
Devices
Ice maker with Wi-Fi
Steam oven with Bluetooth
Toaster with Bluetooth
RED Test Reports
Only a few electronics manufacturers can provide RED test reports. For smart kitchen appliances and similar products, we suggest that you should book third-party lab testing as this is the only method to assess compliance. You can book RED testing via companies such as SGS, Intertek, and TUV.
RED Testing Costs
The cost of a RED test is mainly a function of the complexity of the product. Usually, the cost ranges from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars.
CE Mark
RED is a CE Marking Directive. As such, you must carry the CE marking for smart kitchen appliances. Also, you must issue a DoC, user manual and technical file as required.