Last year, the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) identified fewer product types that would not comply with the essential requirements of the technical regulations. Following tests carried out by an accredited laboratory, 7 types of radio equipment and 14 types of electrical and electronic apparatus were withdrawn from market. In 2022, the number of withdrawals increased to 14 and 18 types respectively.
Among the devices removed were a WiFi amplifier, a PMR walkie-talkie, a radio microphone, radio-controlled toys, a juicer, touch-controlled fridges, LED lights and power supplies.
In total, 54 types of radio equipment and 50 types of electrical and electronic apparatus were tested in the CRA accredited laboratory during the year. In 2022, 40 types of recalled devices and apparatus were tested. In addition, in 2023, 35 types of electrical and electronic apparatus were tested at the request of national regulators or economic operators in other countries. In addition, 21 types of radio equipment were tested at the request of law enforcement authorities to determine whether such equipment is acceptable for use.
“Our tests showed that 44 % of radio equipment and 44 % of electrical and electronic apparatus on the Lithuanian market did not comply with the essential requirements of the technical regulations, which gave sellers the choice of either eliminating the identified defects or removing the products from the market,” says Arvydas Giedraitis, the Head of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Division of the CRA.
He said that information on non-compliant products that have been withdrawn from the market has been published on the Information and Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS) to prevent the placing on the market of non-compliant equipment and apparatus in other EU countries.
Checking products sold in e-shops
In 2023, the CRA carried out the first ever screening of radio communication equipment and electrical and electronic apparatus sold in e-shops.
“We checked 50 types of products in 16 e-shops and found that 5 types of radios and 10 types of electrical and electronic apparatus (30 % of products) did not meet the administrative requirements of the technical regulations. These products were removed from the market,” emphasises A. Giedraitis.
From this year onwards, there are plans to strengthen supervision of electrical products sold in e-shops. Equipment and apparatus will be checked for compliance with technical regulations to protect consumers from buying non-compliant products.
Last year, the CRA became the first designated testing body for radio equipment in the European Union, following an implementing decision by the European Commission.
“All EU countries can test radios sold on the EU market in our accredited laboratory in Kaunas. In 2024, this laboratory is scheduled to test the market surveillance campaign for radios in 12 EU countries. The European Commission has also allocated 1 million EUR to CRA to purchase additional measurement equipment,” said A. Giedraitis, the Head of the CRA laboratory.
Updated on 2024-03-22