CE marking for wireless & IoT devices
Updated May 2025 · 8 min read
Any product that intentionally transmits radio signals — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Zigbee, NFC, cellular — must be CE marked under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU. Here's everything you need to know.
What is the Radio Equipment Directive?
RED (2014/53/EU) replaced the R&TTE Directive in June 2017. It applies to radio equipment — defined as any electrical or electronic product that intentionally emits or receives radio waves for the purpose of radio communication or radio determination.
Importantly, RED covers all three essential requirement areas in one directive: health and safety (Article 3.1(a)), electromagnetic compatibility (Article 3.1(b)), and the effective use of radio spectrum (Article 3.2). If RED applies, you do not separately certify under the EMC Directive for the EMC requirements.
Does RED apply to my product?
RED applies if your product:
- Transmits or receives radio waves intentionally (not just incidentally)
- Is placed on the EU or UK market
- Is not excluded (aircraft equipment, marine, amateur radio kits sold unassembled)
Common RED-regulated products:
- Wi-Fi routers and access points
- Bluetooth speakers, headphones, earbuds
- IoT sensors with LoRa, Sigfox, Zigbee, Z-Wave
- Cellular modules and devices (4G/5G)
- Smart home devices with any wireless protocol
- Remote controls using RF (not IR)
- NFC-enabled products
- DECT cordless phones
- GPS receivers with active antenna
The three essential requirements
Same requirements as the Low Voltage Directive. For battery-only radio products below the LVD voltage threshold, RED still requires health/safety assessment — EN 62368-1 is the primary standard.
Radio equipment must not cause harmful interference and must be adequately immune to interference. Test against ETSI EN 301 489 series standards.
Equipment must use spectrum efficiently and not interfere with other users. Test against the applicable radio standard (e.g. EN 300 328 for 2.4GHz, EN 301 893 for 5GHz Wi-Fi).
Key harmonised standards by radio technology
| Technology | Radio standard | EMC standard |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (802.11b/g/n) | EN 300 328 | EN 301 489-1/-17 |
| Wi-Fi 5GHz (802.11a/n/ac/ax) | EN 301 893 | EN 301 489-1/-17 |
| Bluetooth (Classic & LE) | EN 300 328 | EN 301 489-1/-17 |
| LoRa / LoRaWAN 868MHz | EN 300 220-2 | EN 301 489-1/-3 |
| Zigbee 2.4GHz | EN 300 328 | EN 301 489-1/-17 |
| Z-Wave 868MHz | EN 300 220-2 | EN 301 489-1/-3 |
| Cellular (4G/5G) | ETSI TS 136/138 series | EN 301 489-1/-52 |
| NFC 13.56MHz | EN 300 330 | EN 301 489-1/-3 |
Can I self-declare for RED?
For most standard wireless protocols — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRa, Zigbee — self-declaration is the standard route. You apply the harmonised standards, build a Technical Construction File, and sign a Declaration of Conformity.
A Notified Body is only required when no harmonised standard covers your radio interface (e.g. a novel proprietary protocol), or when you cannot fully apply an existing standard.
RED also requires the Declaration of Conformity to be publicly accessible — link to it in the product manual, on the product listing, or via a QR code on packaging.
Using a pre-certified module
Many IoT products integrate a pre-certified radio module (e.g. ESP32, Nordic nRF series, u-blox, Quectel). This can simplify certification significantly, but does not eliminate your RED obligations. You still need to:
- Verify the module was certified to the same frequency bands and standards applicable to your markets
- Confirm the host product does not degrade the module's RF performance (antenna integration, board layout, enclosure effects)
- Conduct an EMC assessment of the complete product
- Sign your own Declaration of Conformity referencing both the module certification and your own assessment
UKCA for wireless products
For Great Britain, the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/1206) mirrors RED. UKCA marking is required. The technical requirements and test standards are the same, but you must sign a separate UK Declaration of Conformity.
The UK also operates its own UKFREQUENCY type approval for some cellular products — check with Ofcom if you are selling cellular equipment in GB.
RED Article 3.3 — additional requirements
From August 2025, certain product categories face additional RED requirements under Article 3.3 delegated regulations, including:
- Common charger (USB-C) — radio equipment sold with a charger
- Cybersecurity requirements for internet-connected devices (network protection, minimal attack surface, software updates)
- Child privacy requirements for products aimed at children
These apply to specific categories and timelines — check the Official Journal for the applicable delegated regulations for your product type.
Is RED the right directive for your device?
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