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Low Voltage Directive (LVD) EU legislation research

This section guides you through the eu legislatory and harmonized standards research specifically relevant for the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU)

If based on the information provided in the previous research step the Low Voltage Directive has been deemed applicable to your product, it will be displayed offset to the right in the process overview.

There are two steps with separate questions and simple checklists to workthrough.

The choices in each section influence those following on, thereby simplifying, clarifying and accelerating the process for you.

  • Section 1 - The exclusion questions. Firstly, an assessment will first be made as to whether the Low Voltage Dirtective is infact applicable to your product or is excluded.
  • Section 2 - The principle safety objectives. Within Annex I of the Low Voltage Directive, the principle elements of the safety objectives for equipment designated "low voltage" are checked.

1. The directive(s) identified are displayed offset on the right​

⚠️ Always save your valuable research!​

You must work though and save these sections to complete this process step. CERTAIN regularly records your progress in the background, but do make sure to consciously save your work before leaving this area.

You may reevaluate and reselect your choices and amend your answers at any time in the future.

2. Click on Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU​

3. Two step research​

There are two sections here to complete. They are visible at the top of the screen.

Work your way through each section in turn until both are answered.

When finished be sure to save your choices with the button bottom right

4. Section 1 - Low Voltage Directive exclusion questions​

The first will ask a selection of questions to assess whether your product is in fact covered by or excluded from the Low Voltage Directive

The Low Voltage Directive explicitly excludes certain types of products from its scope. These questions are the first to be clarified.

5. Complete the checklist​

Answer each of the questions with Yes or No.

💡 Need more background information?​

If you are unsure about the question and need additional support there are two dropdown information buttons which will help you.

They include:

  • The original texts from the Low Voltage Directive document.
  • Additional helpful CERTAIN support explanations from our team

Just click on the arrows below the questions to view them.

6. Click on Explanation​

We have provided additional background information here to assist you.

7. Viewing the original Directive text​

We have also included an excerpt from the original Directive text here for reference.

8. When you are finished click on next step​

9. Exclusion from the Low Voltage Directive​

If the selections you have made indicate that your product is excluded from the Low Voltage Directive you will see the following popup window and message below.

The applicable Low Voltage Directive clause that led to the exclusion can be viewed using the dropdown arrow.

You then have the choice of ending the research and returning to the Product Overview or updating your selections in the checklist.

If you return to the Product Overview or CERTAIN dashboard, you will also see the product as being excluded from the Low Voltage Directive in the list.

10. Creating an exclusion document​

If needed, CERTAIN will generate an official exclusion document for you.

An exclusion document may be of importance to you if are officially requested to explain or justify why the Low Voltage Directive does not apply to your product.

Click on CE Documentation.

11. Create the exclusion document​

From within the CE Documents screen, click on Create complete documentation.

12. Select PDF preview​

The document will be shown ready to download. Click on preview to review it.

13. Exclusion document preview​

Review and download or print the document as needed.

⚠️ CERTAIN Scope - The Low Voltage Directive and the Machinery Directive​

In this current version, CERTAIN is concerned with machines and low voltage electrical equipment with the application of the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EG.

It is important to note that even though your product may be excluded from these directives may nevertheless fall under the scope of other directives or forms of product legislation which could require a CE Marking or other forms of evaluation and declaration.

Section 2 - Principle safety objectives​

💡 The Low Voltage Directive - Less complex but just as important.​

Compared with other directives, such as the Machinery Directive or the Pressure Equipment Directive, the LVD is simpler in its structure and content. This makes the research more straightforward, requiring in this case only two steps.

Within the brief one page Annex I of the Low Voltage Directive, the principle elements of the safety objectives for equipment designated "low voltage" are described. They are split into three main sections:

  • General provisions
  • Protecting against hazards arising from the equipment
  • Hazards potentially arising from external influences on the equipment

These questions together with the available background information are designed to help you make sure that you have considered all the relevant aspects of your equipment to be in line with current EU legislation.

14. Annex I - Choosing the relevant sections​

CERTAIN has prepared a list of Annex I points which may be relevant to your product and its safety requirements.

Please go through all the sections and confirm those that you believe to be relevant, applicable or of specific safety interest for your equipment.

If you are not sure and would like to view the original text or detailed explanations, click on the dropdown arrows for assistance.

15. Work through and carefully review the list​

Select all the suggested Annex I points you believe to applicable.

💡 Take your time! Step by step.​

When in doubt read the explanatory text and include the section. You can always deselect it at a later stage if no longer required.

In addition, you can also manually search for further standards at any time later, so do not worry about perhaps missing something at this stage.

16. When you are finished click on "Save product information"​

💡 Save your valuable research!​

At this point it is very important to save your data. Although CERTAIN regularly saves your information in the background as you go, if you do unexpectedly close your browser or exit the application without consciously saving at this point you may have to repeat this entire process step.

You may of course edit or reselect your choices and answers at any time in the future by returning to the process step EU legislation and standards research from the product overview.