>> you might as well have a cardboard box with knobs painted on. <<
If the FCC is "middle of the road" for enforcement, I would hate to think what other countries might require. Some time ago a firm here was fined by the FCC for exhibiting an actual, non-operational equipment (missing parts) without the proper labelling. Maybe cardboard boxes will need labels next. Seriously, we should remember the equipment need not meet the relevant standards _during_ development, and adjust our expectations accordingly. If this means keeping a prototype unit turned off at an exhibition, maybe that's the price we pay for getting it out the door quickly. And of course we won't forget the proper labels either, will we? Regards, Cortland ====================== Original Message Follows ==================== >> Date: 27-Sep-97 15:27:18 MsgID: 1055-61959 ToID: 72146,373 From: Chris Dupres >INTERNET:chris_dup...@compuserve.com Subj: Re: CE & Demo Units f.u. Chrg: $0.00 Imp: Norm Sens: Std Receipt: No Parts: 1 Martin et al... Sorry about dragging this out a bit, but the comments : <The answer for me was - yes, we can demo it even at the customer site. = That system must be operated by our employees under all conditions. It mus= t be labeled with a notice that it is not compliant and cannot be sold = until it is made compliant. There is no time limit on demo / display = systems as long as they are not operated by anuyone but our own = employees.> We need to remember that the EU Directives were born of the Treaty of Rome, which is a treaty which relates to Trade, and removing barriers to Trade. EMC, LVD, Machinery, Low Pressure, Toys etc. etc.all have directives which seek to level the playing field, and ensure that no one European Economic Area (EEA) state gets a trading advantage over another EEA state by selling products which have lower technical standards. By adopting the same standards (the Harmonised standards) all EEA states offer the same level of basic technical performance in terms of intrinsic common impact non-commercial characteristics like safety, EMC etc. Demo units are not placed 'On the Market', but are 'Placed into Service', which is an equally valid reason for compliance. It follows that if you knock up a bit of testgear for yourself, or a quick prototype for demo it should comply, in as much as if it causes interference, or an electric shock to a person or domestic animal, then an offence has been committed. The same with a prototype on an exhibition stand, or at a customers facility, it should comply or have a bluddy good reason why not. It need not be CE marked however, which is the mechanism by which the 'Free Trade' objectives are met, and clearly not relevant to something which will not be traded. I'm reliably informed that enforcement officers prowl exhibitions, particularly in Germany, with equipment which will identify wild non-compliers, and invite the equipment to be switched off, often with a legal prohibition notice. Prosecutions are unlikely, but if you can't demonstrate it at an exhibition you might as well have a cardboard box with knobs painted on. In reality you are not likely to be 'caught' during a customer demo, but your conscience may stop you sleeping...... :-) I suppose the route to take is simple, if you are going to demonstrate something at a customers site or an exhibition in the EEA, put screening, filters and screened cables on everything, and point it out as a major selling point. "Even the prototype is CE compliant!". A tuppence worth, maybe. Chris Dupres Surrey, UK. **Primary Recipient: "MartinJP" INTERNET:marti...@perkin-elmer.com ====================== End of Original Message =====================
