Accessories Compliant with Regulations: How to Identify Them?
When purchasing a radio or walkie-talkie, we always pay attention to product quality, functionality, and reliability. But did you know that the accessories you buy can also make a difference? Choosing accessories that don’t comply with EU regulations can compromise your device’s performance, reduce battery life, and even pose health risks.
It’s crucial to know how to select the right accessories to ensure maximum safety and performance by relying on reputable manufacturers.
At Midland, we’ve gained over 60 years of expertise in the communication sector. Our priority is to provide customers with cutting-edge technology while ensuring maximum safety. That’s why our commitment as manufacturers goes beyond radios—it extends to all our accessories. We ensure they comply with applicable regulations, safeguarding the device’s lifecycle and protecting our customers.
Not All Accessories Are the Same: The Directives to Follow
It’s true—not all accessories are created equal. When buying an accessory, such as a headset, it’s not enough to only consider the price or compatibility with your device. It’s essential to check the manufacturer’s reliability by confirming compliance with relevant regulations.
Chargers, headsets, microphones, power banks, and other accessories must clearly display the CE marking. This serves as a guarantee and certifies, through the Declaration of Conformity, that the product meets regulatory requirements. Find out more about the CE marking and how to identify authentic markings in the next section!
But what are the directives that accessories must comply with?
RED
The European RED Directive applies to devices that transmit and receive, such as radios. Introduced in 2016, it sets manufacturing standards for radio products in terms of electrical safety, magnetic compatibility, and effective spectrum management.
This directive also covers Midland products like the ER200 and ER300, multifunction emergency power banks that include radio functionality, as well as Bluetooth devices.
EMC
The EMC Directive ensures electromagnetic compatibility for all electrical and electronic devices, guaranteeing that:
Products function correctly even when used alongside other electrical or electronic devices, avoiding interference.
The protection of electrical networks, reducing the risk of these devices interfering with electrical grids and communications (imagine if the devices we use disrupted hospital equipment or aircraft systems, for example).
SAFETY
User safety is a top priority in the electronics sector. Manufacturers must ensure their products comply with standards that protect against overheating and short circuits, minimizing risks and prioritizing user safety.
RoHS
One of the directives that helps reduce risks for end users is the RoHS, which limits the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, thereby reducing risks to health and the environment.
An example includes chemicals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium (and others); these substances must be replaced with alternatives that are less harmful to human health.
WEEE Directive
We all know that the lifecycle of an electronic product doesn’t end when it ceases to function; it continues with proper waste management.
This is where the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) comes into play, imposing a series of obligations, including:
The responsibility of manufacturers for the products they place on the market and for managing their "end-of-life" phase.
Establishing recycling systems to facilitate proper disposal.
Treating WEEE waste correctly to minimize environmental and health impacts.
Clear communication to end customers about the management and recycling of these products.
Even your walkie-talkie or intercom charger falls under WEEE and should be disposed of properly.
Common Charger
The Common Charger Directive aims to standardize charging requirements for portable electronic devices across Europe. The Common Charger Directive applies to certain products that require charging, primarily accessories such as chargers, as well as the devices being charged. This is a significant development for the entire European market. Products covered by the directive indicate the charger requirements (e.g., minimum and maximum voltage) on the packaging, in the user manual, or on the manufacturer's website.
CE Marking: Is it real or fake?
The CE marking is the fundamental guarantee that certifies the quality and safety of a product, ensuring that the item being purchased complies with European regulations on safety, health, and environmental protection.
It is illegal for a manufacturer or retailer to place electronic products on the market without the CE marking. While it is not illegal for end customers to purchase such products, doing so exposes them to unnecessary risks, both in terms of personal health and device performance.
The first thing to check when purchasing any type of accessory is the presence of the CE marking, which must be clearly visible and displayed on the product or its packaging. Unfortunately, counterfeit CE markings are also common, so how can you distinguish the genuine marking from a fake one?
The CE marking must follow a precise format, and its size must not be less than 5 mm unless specific exceptions apply.
The most common counterfeit marking is "China Export," which differs from the European CE marking in the spacing between the letters and their proportions. However, the "China Export" marking has never had any legal validity in the EU. It has been used in the past to mislead consumers into believing that a product bore the CE marking when it did not.
Additionally, transmitting or even receiving products must be accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity.
Your Safety Comes First
We understand that for a consumer trying to choose between one headset and another, or deciding on a charger, it’s not easy to navigate all the directives. That’s why it’s essential to rely on high-quality products not only when selecting devices like a walkie-talkie, CB radio, or intercom but also when purchasing their accessories.
At Midland, we take our customers’ safety seriously. That’s why, when you buy our accessories, you won’t encounter any “unpleasant surprises.” Our accessories comply with EU directives to ensure your safety and extend the lifespan of the products you purchase as much as possible.
We’ve never believed in the concept of “disposable” products. Our items are designed to last a long time, and this principle extends to Midland accessories as well.
If you have any questions or need support for our products and accessories, our customer service team is here to help!
