Dutch Radiocommunications Agency Starts Campaign For CE Marking Of Wireless Devices

The Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency wants to make citizens aware of the dangers of disruptive and vulnerable electrical and wireless equipment through a public campaign. Devices without a CE mark could potentially cause interference or be unsafe.

Why Do They Start This Campaign?

The campaign focuses in particular on raising awareness among consumers when purchasing smart devices, modems and routers. The Agency says there is a risk in purchasing these devices from outside the European Union, as smart devices without CE marking can cause malfunctions or even be vulnerable to hackers. The marking indicates that equipment meets European requirements for safe use within a home network.

What Exactly Is The Problem?

In the campaign, the Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency explains what consumers should pay attention to when buying smart devices, modems and routers. The agency explains that devices without CE marking can operate in the same frequency range. Some examples of wireless products that are quite common on the EU single Market and often bear no CE marking, are:

baby monitors,
dimmers,
remote controls,
weather stations, and
wireless headphones

Equipment that does not meet European requirements for interference sensitivity can interfere with the safety of other devices. This is not only irritating for users, says the Agency, but can also be harmful. In the campaign, the Radiocommunications Agency therefore warns for the proper protection of smart devices.

How Can You Install a Wireless Device In a Secure Way?

The Telecom Agency’s campaign includes tips on how to install devices properly, ensure that devices are properly secured and ensure a good Wi-Fi distribution in a home. It has also put a page online for distinguishing between a real and a fake CE mark. In the “Links and Downloads“-section underneath you will find more information about this particular subject, including a tutorial video on false and real CE certification.

What Is The Difference Between a Real And a False CE Mark?

For people with a technical background, the information page may be full of open doors, but the campaign is therefore aimed at the average citizen who gets devices cheaply from abroad without being aware of the potential dangers. Over the next two weeks, posters will be hung in public spaces in the six major cities of Groningen, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven and The Hague, and an online campaign will be set up.Since February, the Netherlands “Agentschap Telecom” (AT), which is the Dutch Radiocommunications Agency has been investigating smart home devices together with the ACM, “Autoriteit Consument en Markt” (the Dutch equivalent of the US FDA e.g.).

What Is The Goal Of This Campaign And Investigation?

Regulators look at whether these devices are secure enough, receive updates and whether they ‘continue to do what was agreed‘ after purchase. The ACM and the AT want to use the investigation to monitor the rules regarding home automation devices.

Links and Downloads: