On June 7, 2019, the European Union published Directive (EU) 2019/882, also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The directive complements the European Web Accessibility Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive). Accessibility means that products, services, or environments should be designed to allow people with disabilities to be able to use them equally (directly or indirectly (with some degree of assistance).

Applicable Products & Services:

For specific products covered by the EAA, please refer to Article 2 Scope of Chapter 1 of the EU Directive (EU) 2019/882 (hereinafter referred to as "relevant products and services"). The specific "Accessibility" requirements are detailed in Directive (EU) 2019/882 ANNEX 1. Some example products include:

• computer and operating system
• ATMs, ticket machines and check-in machines
• Smartphones
• Television equipment related to digital television services
• Telephone service and related equipment
• Access to audiovisual media services such as television broadcasting
• Air, bus, rail and water passenger transport related services
• Banking services
• E-book
• E-commerce

Implementation time and transition period:

According to Directive EU2019/882, all relevant products and services, in particular digital technologies, that enter the EU market after 28 June 2025 must be accessible to persons with disabilities and older persons. The goal is to standardize accessibility and ensure easier access to relevant services and products.

Products that have been on the market or services that have been provided before June 28, 2025 can continue to be used for the duration of the contract, but with a maximum transition period of 5 years. That is, by 28 June 2030, the EEA must fully apply to all relevant products or services offered on the EU market, including those already on the market before 28 June 2025.

Click on this link to view the original Directive (EU) 2019/882.

On October 10, 2024, the European Union passed the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) to strengthen the cybersecurity of connected devices. The Cyber Resilience Act sets out mandatory security requirements for digital products manufactured, imported, or sold within the EU, ensuring that these devices remain consistent throughout their lifecycle.

Key points of the bill:

• Security requirements: Manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with cybersecurity standards and remain secure throughout their lifecycle;
• CE marking: Connected products must bear the CE mark, proving that they meet cybersecurity standards;
• Reporting requirements: Vulnerabilities and cyber incidents must be reported within 24 hours; and submit a detailed report to the European Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA) within 72 hours;
• Updates and support: Manufacturers are obligated to provide free security updates for the expected life of the product.

The Cyber Resilience Act will be implemented from December 11, 2027, while reporting requirements will apply from September 11, 2026.

Click this link to view the original CRA Act passed on October 10, 2024, click this link to check out the EU's press releaseof this approval.

On 1 August 2024, the United Kingdom Communications Agency (Ofcom) launched a public consultation on expanding spectrum access for fixed links in the 32 GHz band. The consultation will be open for comment until September 13, 2024.

Click on this link to view the original Ofcom public consultation.

On May 21, 2024, the European Commission published Directive (EU) 2024/1416 in the Official Journal of the European Commission, updating the exemption clause on cadmium in Annex III of the RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU), extending the exemption period of Article 39(a) and adding an exemption of Article 39(b). The directive will enter into force 20 days after its issuance and will come into force on January 1, 2025.

The specific updates are as follows:

Click on this link to view the original Directive (EU) 2024/1416.

On 18 April 2024, the UK Department of Commerce and Trade issued Circular 0100/24 amending the list of standards for the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1803). It is worth noting that the electrical safety standard required in the list of standards is EN IEC 62368-1:2020:A11:2020, which is higher than the harmonized standard of the CE LVD directive, EN IEC 62368-1: 2014/AC:2015, and also higher than its successor version, EN 62368-1 2014/A11:2017, which should be noted when choosing the standard.

Click this link to view the original announcement.

On 7 May 2024, the European Commission published a Notice of Guidance for the Interpretation of the Common Charger Directive in the Official Journal of the European Union to assist in the interpretation and implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2380. In the form of a Q&A, the guide answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the Common Charger Directive with a total of 51 questions, such as whether it only applies to rechargeable devices; whether products that only support wireless charging can be exempted; whether products that only support DC charging (without AC/DC adapters) can be exempted; whether products with a maximum power of more than 240W can be exempted; whether the regulations cover USB cables, etc.

Click on this link to view the original Common Charger Directive Interpretation Guide.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the operation of Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 on 2 May 2024. They are important for identifying deficiencies in existing legislation and for developing the European standardization system in the future. Consulting stakeholders will provide valuable information for the assessment.

Click this link to check the original public consultation,  and the consultation is open until 25 July 2024.

On April 24, 2024, the European Commission launched a study exploring the possibility of digitizing and collecting the conformity assessment certificates of all CE-marked products into a database called the "Digital Solution for Conformity Verification" (DSCV). The objective of the DSCV is to facilitate market surveillance and customs control and to provide more accessible and reliable data on the CE marking of products. Relevant stakeholders, such as customs authorities, market surveillance bodies, certification bodies, notified bodies, manufacturers, distributors, importers, exporters, consumers, and managers of existing similar databases, were invited to participate in the study.

Click on the this link to view the original questionnaire, which was collected until May 17, 2024.

On 15 April 2024, the UK published draft legislation to continue the use of CE marking under the Product Safety and Metrology (Amendment) Regulations beyond 30 December 2024. The legislation, which will result in the UK continuing to accept CE marking indefinitely, is expected to come into force on 1 October 2024.

Click on this link to view the original text of the draft regulations.

On 1 August, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced an indefinite extension of the use of CE marking by businesses, while retaining the UKCA marking recognition method.

The UK Department of Commerce and Trade intends to extend the CE marking of most goods on the UK market indefinitely beyond December 2024, and this update applies to 18 regulations under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce and Trade (DBT), covering the following areas:

• Toys
• pyrotechnics
• recreational boats and personal boats
• improvised pressure vessels
• electromagnetic compatibility
• non-automatic weighing instruments
• measuring instruments
• measuring containers, bottles
• elevators
• equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX),
• radio equipment
• Pressure Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Gas Appliances
• Machinery
• Outdoor Use Equipment
• Aerosols,
• Low Voltage Electrical Equipment