Cable Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Cables imported or manufactured in the European Union are subject to various regulations and directives. The specific regulations and directives that apply depend on the cable type and its characteristics, such as the voltage. In this guide, we explain EU compliance requirements for USB cables, power cables, optical cables, and more.

Types of cables (examples)

Different types of cables have different characteristics and, as such, are subject to specific directives or regulations. The applicable regulations and directives largely depend on the cable type, voltage and whether it is installed in a fixed installation.

This section lists examples of types of cables, their characteristics, and the directives or regulations that cover them.

Directive / Regulation	Covered cables (examples)
Low Voltage Directive	a. Cables fitted for products in the voltage range: 50- 1000V AC and 75- 1500V DC. b. Coaxial cables c. Multi-element metallic cables
EMC Directive	a. Cables with active electronic parts (e.g. active optical cables) b. Other cables that are not considered inherently benign equipment
General Product Safety Regulation	Cables for products that do not fall under the Low Voltage Directive. This could include: a. USB cables b. Ethernet cables c. Audio cables
RoHS Directive	a. Cables sold together with electronic equipment b. Cables sold separately
Construction Products Regulation	Cables used in construction products or construction works, such as: a. Power cables b. Control cables c. Communication cables

Low Voltage Directive

The Low Voltage Directive establishes requirements for electrical equipment with input or output voltage that ranges between 50-1000 V AC and 75-1500 V DC, such as cables.

While this directive does not explicitly mention cables, Annex VII of the Low Voltage Directive Guidelines indicates that cables fall under its scope.

According to these guidelines, the directive also applies to cables or power cords within the 50-1000 V a.c. and 75-1500 V d.c. voltage range sold separately from the products that the cables are fitted to.

Standards

EN 50117-1 – Coaxial cables – Part 1: Generic specification

EN 50406-1 – End user multi-pair cables used in high bit rate telecommunication networks – Part 1: Aerial cables

EN 50288-1 – Multi-element metallic cables used in analogue and digital communication and control – Part 1: Generic specification

EN 50441-2 – Cables for indoor residential telecommunication installations – Part 2: Screened cables – Grade 1

EN 50525-1 – Electric cables – Low voltage energy cables of rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V (U0/U) – Part 1: General requirements

Note that the standards listed above are examples, and more standards for cables and wires exist.

Requirements

1. Compliance with harmonised standards

2. Declaration of Conformity

3. Technical documentation

4. User instructions and safety information

5. Labelling requirements:

• CE marking
• Traceability information
• Essential characteristics

Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive regulates the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic apparatus and fixed installations. The directive applies to cables that have active electronic parts.

Inherently benign equipment

The Guide for the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive indicates that the directive excludes inherently benign equipment from its scope. Per the Guide, a piece of equipment is inherently benign in electromagnetic compatibility if it meets the following conditions:

a. It does not produce harmful electromagnetic emissions, allowing other devices to function properly, and

b. It operates reliably despite normal electromagnetic disturbances.

The Guide excludes cables from the EMC Directive’s scope if they do not include active electronic parts.

Standards

EN 50083-2 – Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive services – Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility for equipment

EN 50529-2 – EMC Network Standard – Part 2: Wire-line telecommunications networks using coaxial cables

Note that more standards relevant to cables may exist.

Requirements

1. Compliance with harmonised standards

2. Declaration of Conformity

3. Technical documentation

4. Instructions and safety information

5. Labelling requirements:

• CE marking
• Traceability information
• Restriction of use information (if required)

RoHS Directive

The RoHS Directive restricts several substances used in the electric and electronic equipment categories listed in Annex I. It also applies to cables.

The directive defines “cables” as cables having a voltage rating under 250V that connect electronic devices to each other or a power source. As such, it is possible that cables with a voltage rating of over 250 volts do not fall under the scope of the directive. However, we could not find an explicit exemption.

According to the RoHS guidance document, internal wires are not defined as “cables”, but you should still ensure compliance with the RoHS substance restrictions just as you should with any other components covered by the directive.

The guidance document also states that optical cables are not subject to the requirements of the RoHS Directive.

Requirements

1. Substance restrictions

• Lead < 0.1%
• Mercury < 0.1%
• Cadmium < 0.01%
• Hexavalent chromium < 0.1%
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) < 0.1%
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) < 0.1%
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) < 0.1%
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) < 0.1%
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) < 0.1%
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) < 0.1%

2. Declaration of Conformity

3. Technical documentation

4. Labelling requirements:

• CE marking
• Traceability information

Construction Products Regulation

The Construction Products Regulation sets performance requirements for construction products. According to the regulation, “construction products” are products or kits made for permanent use in buildings.

The regulation lists covered product areas in Annex IV. This includes cables used for power, control, and communication purposes.

Standards

EN 50575 – Power, control and communication cables – Cables for general applications in construction works subject to reaction to fire requirements

EN 50289-4-16 – Communication cables – Specifications for test methods – Part 4-16: Environmental test methods – Circuit integrity under fire conditions

EN 50582 – Procedure to assess the circuit integrity of optical fibres in a cable under resistance to fire testing

This section lists some examples of standards for cables, but more cable standards may exist.

Requirements

1. Compliance with harmonised standards

2. Declaration of Performance*

3. Technical documentation

3. Instructions and safety information

4. Labelling requirements:

• CE marking, followed by the information listed in Article 9*
• Traceability information

*A Declaration of Performance and the CE marking are required only if harmonised standards for the product exist, or the manufacturer has requested a European Technical Assessment (ETA). In this case, an assessment and verification of constancy of performance (AVCP) is also required.

General Product Safety Regulation

The General Product Safety Regulation sets safety requirements for consumer products by covering safety aspects that are not already covered by other regulations. As such, the regulation applies to cables that, for instance, fall outside the voltage ranges of 50-1000V a.c. and 75-1500V d.c. This is because such cables are not covered by the Low Voltage Directive.

Standards

We were unable to find any standards that both cover cables and are harmonised under the General Product Safety Regulation. Where no harmonised standards exist for a product, you can use other standards to comply with the regulatory requirements.

Here are some examples of non-harmonised standards you can use for your cables:

EN IEC 62368-3 – Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment – Part 3: Safety aspects for DC power transfer through communication cables and ports

EN IEC 60794-1-127 – Optical fibre cables – Part 1-127: Generic specification – Basic optical cable test procedures – Mechanical tests methods – Indoor simulated installation test, method e27

EN 50200 – Method of test for resistance to fire of unprotected small cables for use in emergency circuits

EN 50289-1-10 – Communication cables – Specifications for test methods – Part 1-10: Electrical test methods – Crosstalk

EN 50399 – Common test methods for cables under fire conditions – Heat release and smoke production measurement on cables during flame spread test – Test apparatus, procedures, results

Requirements

1. Compliance with safety requirements and relevant standards

2. Technical documentation

3. Instructions

4. Register of complaints

5. Labelling requirements:

• Traceability information
• Warnings and safety information

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive establishes requirements to minimise the harm that waste electrical and electronic equipment has on the environment and human health.

According to the directive, WEEE refers to equipment that relies on electricity or electromagnetic fields to function, including devices that generate, transfer, or measure them, with a voltage limit of 1,000V a.c. or 1,500V d.c. This should also include cables, which are mentioned in Annex VII.

The WEEE Directive generally requires importers and manufacturers to:

• Affix the separate collection symbol to the product
• Provide information to users (e.g. regarding WEEE recovery)
• Register in the EU member country where they sell their product
• Submit a report to the authorities about the type and quantity of products they manufacture, distribute, and sell
• Collect and treat their waste equipment (e.g. by utilising a waste management company)

Additional Requirements

This section lists additional requirements for cable.s

Radio Equipment Directive

The Radio Equipment Directive sets safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements for radio equipment (e.g. wi-fi or Bluetooth enabled devices).

ANNEX Ia sets specifications relating to charging for certain categories of radio equipment (e.g. tablets and digital cameras). One of these requirements is that the products must be able to be charged with cables that comply with the standard EN IEC 62680-1-3 – Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-3: Common components – USB Type-C® Cable and Connector Specification.

You can read the Annex for the full list of requirements.

Regulation	Description
REACH Regulation	REACH sets restrictions on substances used in consumer products, including cables and their materials. For example, it restricts: a. Lead – used in PVC cable sheathing b. Cadmium – used as a PVC stabiliser for cable insulation Plastic materials used to make cables may also contain restricted substances, such as phthalates.
Persistent Organic Pollutant (POPs) Regulation	The POPs Regulation restricts or prohibits certain substances or products that contain the restricted substances. This also includes cables. For example, it restricts hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) as a flame retardant in some cable applications.

Recommended articles

• Radio Equipment Directive (RED): An Essential Guide
• An Essential Guide to the REACH Regulation in the EU
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation: An Essential Guide

Cable testing companies

This section lists several companies that claim they can test cables against the requirements of one or more of the aforementioned directives and regulations:

• Intertek
• Eurofins
• SGS
• TÜV Rheinland

Recalls and compliance risks

Your products are subject to recall if you do not comply with regulatory requirements. For instance, some cables are unsafe because they contain excessive lead, while others may result in an electric shock. This section lists some examples of products that were recalled.

Recall A: Charging cable

This charging cable was recalled for violating the RoHS Directive because the cables contained an excessive concentration (56% by weight) of lead.

Recall B: Multi-socket extension cable

This multi-socket extension cable was recalled for violating the Low Voltage Directive because it had unconnected earth sockets, a missing protective conductor. This resulted in a potential risk of electric shock.

Recall C: Wall mount with USB-C cable

This charger, a wall mount with USB-C cable, was recalled for violating the Low Voltage Directive and EN 62368-1 because it had unintended access to live parts, which could result in electric shock.