Regulatory Compliance News

EU Updates Harmonized Spectrum Rules for Short-Range Radio Devices

The European Commission published Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/180, updating the harmonized technical conditions governing spectrum allocation for short-range radio devices across Member States. Amending Decision 2006/771/EC, this decision establishes updated operational parameters, power limits, and frequency allocation tables to ensure the efficient use of the radio spectrum while mitigating interference risks among coexisting wireless technologies. The updated regulatory framework directly affects manufacturers, importers, and distributors placing low-power radio frequency equipment on the European single market under the broad umbrella of the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).

The revised technical conditions address a broad spectrum of short-range applications, including wireless audio transmission, telemetry, medical implants, radio frequency identification, smart metering, and automotive radar systems. The decision refines maximum permitted transmit power, duty cycle restrictions, and channel spacing specifications across harmonized frequency bands to accommodate evolving consumer and industrial IoT technologies. By updating these technical baselines, the European Commission aims to prevent cross-border spectrum fragmentation and optimize co-channel coexistence without imposing unnecessary administrative hurdles on low-power device deployment.

Under the framework established by the decision, Member States are required to make the harmonized spectrum bands available in accordance with the updated technical parameters, while retaining the flexibility to permit less restrictive conditions provided local coexistence is maintained. Equipment manufacturers targeting the European Union must review their technical documentation and ensure that device operation aligns with the updated parameter tables. Aligning short-range device parameters with these updated European technical conditions remains essential for issuing valid Declarations of Conformity, affixing the CE mark, and maintaining uninterrupted compliance across the European Economic Area.