The Final Report on the Study on the evaluation of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU (EMCD) has now been published. The report in English running to 358 pages makes interesting reading. It is publicly available, free of charge, from the Publications Office of the European Union here.

IARU and individual radio amateurs provided input through interviews and written submissions. 

The study’s main objective was to support an evaluation of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (Directive 2014/30/EU) (“the EMCD”) by the European Commission’s DG GROW. The study has assessed five key evaluation criteria, namely the Directive’s effectiveness, efficiency, relevance (including fitness for purpose), coherence and EU added value. The EMCD has not previously been evaluated, and after almost 30 years without major modifications, it was therefore timely to consider the extent to which the Directive overall – and the essential requirements in particular – have achieved their objectives, and done so efficiently and effectively. Beyond the five key evaluation criteria mentioned above, an overarching issue – linked to relevance – was to consider if the EMCD has remained fit for purpose.

IARU R1 PRC responded recently to a European Commission Roadmap on the environmental impact of photovoltaics. The radio spectrum is an important finite natural resource which must be protected. While PV technology of itself is to be welcomed, the IARU submission pointed out the inherent problems of non-compliant installations, particularly the installation or retro-fitting of optimisers which can produce significant spectrum pollution for very limited efficiency increase.

The Roadmap and responses may be viewed on the Commission website here oron this website on the PRC Responses to Public and Other Consultations page.