Feature: RF
RF exposure and SAR A manufacturer must also ensure that the module’s antennas are installed to meet RF exposure compliance. For portable applications where a device will be used within 20cm of the body, SAR testing may be required, dependent upon the output power of the radio module. For any portable device, it’s important
to conduct an exemption calculation to determine whether a SAR assessment is necessary. Mobile and fixed product installations not used within 20cm of the body can undergo an RF exposure assessment where typically the electric/ magnetic fields generated are calculated and compared to regional requirements.
The proof is in the technical file So, before buying any cheap module, there are a multitude of things to consider. No less important is the technical file, or the documented evidence to show that the final product properly complies with the ‘essential requirements’ of the Directive(s) or Regulation(s) that apply. The technical file provides vital
evidence that the correct procedures have
been taken during product development and manufacturers must be prepared to show it to market surveillance authorities upon request. It must also be kept up to date as the product is adapted, which means that it can’t be put away and forgotten, and it must also be retained for ten years. In Europe, part of the technical file
must include a declaration of conformity, which is the manufacturer’s attestation that a product meets the relevant legislation. The Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
for your final product will be based upon a combination of the test results for your product, plus the test results that have already been provided by the module manufacturer. So, firstly you must ensure that the test results for the module are provided by a suitably accredited laboratory. Results from an accredited laboratory will provide your buyers with increased confidence that the tests have been done correctly. If the manufacturer of your module
won’t share any test evidence with you, seek an alternative supplier that will.
Also check that the standards listed (that the module was assessed against) on the DoC are in date and correct. You can check these on the ETSI website
www.etsi.org If you sign your DoC without obtaining the relevant test reports, you would be doing so with little evidence to back up your presumption of conformity.
Due diligence While integrating a pre-certified wireless module offers a cost-effective and rapid path to market, manufacturers must ensure the module is certified for all intended sales countries, and be aware that modifications or out-of-specification use may necessitate additional testing. Ultimately, it is the manufacturer of the final product that has responsibility for its overall compliance. Failing to adhere to these considerations can lead to significant delays, increased costs and non-compliance. In any country, the market surveillance
authorities can come down hard on manufacturers that supply non-compliant equipment to the market and ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk July/August 2025 17
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