Induction battery chargers: how to certify them in Europe, USA and Canada

Induction battery chargers have entered the market for a few years: the convenience of recharging your device by eliminating wires and sockets certainly has its practical side. If we also combine this with the charm of minimal and often futuristic shapes, it is easy to understand how this type of technology is proving to be in full expansion.
Induction battery charger: what are the regulations governing the verification of emissions of this product?
Depends.
Let's see why.

Wireless chargers is an electronic and electrical product whose functions can incorporate multiple abilities.
This is precisely the case of the wireless charger which can lend itself to the charging function alone or also add the ability to transfer data: the legislation to be followed, however, is not unique, it varies depending on the functionality of the product and the country of reference.

Therefore, before placing a product on the market, the process of the correct certification path must be more careful. There are more regulations and directives to follow: it is necessary to consider components, functionality and the final country for which the product is intended.

Wireless Charger Regulations in the USA

The FCC classifies the wireless charger as an "intentional radiator".
The procedure to be followed for marketing authorization is that of certification.
The tests to be applied to the product are those envisaged in accordance with Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations FCC Part 15 and Part 18 (Specifically for “Wireless power transfer devices”).

Regulations on Wireless Charges in CANADA

There radio standard specification RSS-216 published in late 2014 regarding Wireless Power Transfer (Wireless Battery Charging) establishes minimum requirements for wireless power transmission devices with power management and/or control capabilities. This standard distinguishes between three types of devices based on their classification as radio equipment (category I or II) or as interference-causing equipment, in particular industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment.

Regulations on Wireless Charges in EUROPE

In Europe the induction battery charger alone is not considered a radio emitter and the EMC tests to refer to for certification are those arranged for the product category to which it belongs.
If, however, the induction battery charger is also designed to transmit data on the same frequency as the battery charger, then the product falls under the Directive RED (2014/53/EU) and the harmonized reference standard for certification is the EN 300 330-2.

With the aim of adapting to these new technologies, the European Institute for Telecommunications Standards introduced in 2015, the ETSI EN 300 330-2 V1.6.1 revision.
The document deals with generic short-range devices, inductive loop transmitters, radio equipment and wireless energy transfer devices (fixed, mobile and portable stations) and distinguishes the procedures to be adopted depending on the number of product features and of the frequency used by them.

Security aspects

In all cases mentioned, without distinction of country, if the product enters domestic use, tests and analyzes must be carried out in accordance with harmonized standards IEC 62368 or to the corresponding European ones EN 62368-1 which provide for the safety of audio/video equipment, for information and communications technology.

Human exposure

Last but not least, the regulations that regulate human exposure to electromagnetic fields must be considered.
The products must in fact be subjected to controls and tests on the rate of radiation emitted to preserve health from harmful sources.
For household appliances, for example, the harmonized standard applies EN 62233 “Methods of measurement for electromagnetic fields of household electrical appliances and similar with reference to human exposure” or the corresponding IEC 62233 for the USA.

How to obtain the CE mark

Given the complexity of the regulations and the detailed harmonization, it is always advisable to contact a specialized laboratory to verify the product before placing it on the market.
For the Certification CE the aspects of electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety, human exposure and good use of the spectrum must be verified according to the RED Directive.
Once the test reports have been collected, proving the successful outcome of all the measurements carried out, and the product documentation, the project can be completed. Technical file for CE marking and write the EU declaration of conformity

Sicom Testing offers a complete service for CE certification and for the authorization of electrical and electronic products for the USA and Canada.

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