LVD 2006/95/EC - Low Voltage Directive

LVD 2006/95/EC ( Low Voltage Directive) of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 12, 2006 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (codified version) was published in the OJEU L 374 on December 27, 2006, p. 10-19. It entered into force on the 20th day following that of its publication, i.e. on January 16, 2007. The old directive 73/23/EEC was repealed on the same date.

The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2006/95/EC ensures that electrical equipment provides a high level of protection for European citizens in the European Union.

The Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC requires electrical equipment to have protection against hazards that could arise from within the electrical equipment itself or from external influences. The directive covers all risks arising from the use of electrical equipment, including mechanical, chemical (such as, in particular, emission of aggressive substances) and all other risks. The directive also covers noise and vibration, and ergonomic aspects which could cause hazards within the scope of the directive.

The term “electrical equipment” is not defined in the directive. It is to be interpreted according to the internationally recognized meaning of this term. The definition of electric equipment in the International Electro Technical Vocabulary of IEC (International Electro Technical Commission) is: “item used for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilization of electrical energy, such as machines, transformers, switchgear and control gear, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring material, current-using equipment.” “Domestic” plugs and sockets may also be used in commercial or industrial premises for uses which do not require specialized industrial features.

The general requirements of the directive are:

The equipment satisfies the essential health and safety requirements of the directive
The appropriate conformity assessment procedure has been carried out, supported by drawing up a Technical Construction File
An EC Declaration of Conformity has been issued by the responsible person
CE marking has been affixed, showing that the manufacturer has complied with these essential safety requirements
The electrical equipment is safe

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Last updated Jun 11, 2012

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