What are EMC Standards? 

EMC standards are documents that define EMI emission limits and immunity level requirements for electrical and electronic devices. These standards also specify rules, guidelines, test methods, testing procedures, testing environments, and other details for conducting EMC testing.  

In other words, EMC standards define EMI emission limits, immunity levels, rules, guidelines, test methods, testing procedures, and other details to ensure EMC of electrical and electronic equipment. 

An electrical or electronic product can enter the market of a country when it satisfies the following EMC requirements: 

• Electromagnetic Emission: The EMI emitted by the product during operation must be lower than the EMI emission limit specified in the relevant standard. 
• Immunity Level: The product must also have a sufficient immunity level against external EMI, as specified in the relevant standard. 

In simple terms, an electrical or electronic product can enter the commercial market when it meets the requirements of relevant EMC standards. Whether a product or device meets the requirements of applicable EMC standards is verified through a process called EMC testing. When a product passes EMC testing, it is considered an EMC-compatible or EMC-certified product that can be sold in the market. 

Note: EMC testing involves emission measurements and immunity tests. Emission testing measures the amount of EMI emitted by a device during operation. Immunity testing checks whether the device has sufficient immunity against external electromagnetic disturbances (or external EMI) that may arise in its practical environment. EMC testing is typically conducted in a laboratory environment using the necessary test equipment & testing procedures in accordance with the EMC standards relevant to the product.  

Why do we need EMC Standards? 

1. Interference Prevention: Without EMC standards, electronic devices might interfere with each other due to EMI, leading to malfunctions or degraded performance. For example, without proper EMC standards, a smartphone might interfere with an aircraft’s navigation system or a medical device’s operation. 
2. Safety: EMC standards help prevent electromagnetic disturbances, thereby ensuring the safety and reliable operation of critical systems, such as medical devices, automotive electronics, and aircraft navigation systems. 
3. Compliance and Regulation: Compliance with EMC standards is essential for obtaining EMC certification. EMC certification is often legally required for products to be sold in various markets. Product manufacturers must ensure that their products meet EMC regulatory requirements to avoid legal issues and fines and to ensure market access.  
4. Consumer Trust: Complying with EMC standards assures consumers that the products they purchase are reliable and safe, thereby enhancing brand reputation and consumer confidence. 

Who writes EMC Standards? 

EMC standards and regulations are developed and written by international and national (regional) organizations and committees specializing in standardization and regulatory compliance. 

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes international EMC standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. IEC is a global non-profit organization and one of the most prominent organizations in developing international EMC standards. Some countries have their own standards established by national agencies, such as FCC in the USA, CENELEC in Europe, VDE in Germany, BIS in India, and JISC & JAS in Japan. 

There are specific EMC standards that need to be followed for each industry sector. For example, the EMC standards applicable to the medical industry are different from those governing consumer electronics. EMC standards and regulations can have slight differences between region to region and country to country, but they are generally the same. 

What are the types of EMC standards? 

EMC standards can be broadly categorized into the following types. 

• Basic EMC publications  
• EMC product standards 
• EMC product family standards 
• Generic EMC standards 

Basic EMC Publications (Basic standards):  The Basic EMC Publications define EMC terminology, general conditions &  rules, and guidelines for achieving electromagnetic compatibility; they also specify testing techniques, test setup, test equipment and environment, and other considerations for EMC emission and immunity testing.  

The basic EMC Publications are the basic EMC standards/foundational standards to which other EMC standards (such as EMC Product Standards, Generic EMC Standards, etc.) refer to. Some examples of Basic EMC Publications are: 

• IEC 61000-4-7 (emission-related)  
• IEC 61000-4-X series (immunity-related) 
• IEC TS 61000-2-5 (electromagnetic environment-related). 

EMC Product Standards: These are the EMC standards that apply to specific products. These standards specify the emission limits and minimum immunity test levels. For a particular product, the product standard refers to the relevant basic EMC publications. Examples of the EMC product standards include: 

• IEC 62104 - Applies to DAB receivers 
• IEC 61851-21 - Applies to electric road vehicle charging systems. 

 EMC Product Family Standards: These standards apply to groups of products that share common characteristics, are used in the same environment, and have related fields of application. They detail the emission limits and minimum immunity test levels. For a particular product, the product family standard refers to the relevant basic EMC publications. Examples of product family standards include: 

• CISPR 32 (emission-related) - Applies to Information Technology Equipment (ITE). 
• CISPR 14-2 (immunity-related) - Applies to household appliances, electric tools, and similar apparatus  
• IEC 61547 (Immunity related) - Applies to lighting equipment. 

Generic EMC Standards: These standards apply to products operating in a particular EMC environment, like industrial/residential. They are used when a specific Product (Family) EMC Standard does not exist. The Generic EMC Standards are general and somewhat simplified EMC Product Standards. For detailed measurement and test methods, refer to Basic EMC Publications. The limited number of essential emission and immunity tests, as well as minimum immunity test levels, are specified in these standards. Examples of the generic EMC standards include: 

• IEC 61000-6-3 (emission-related) - Applies to equipment in residential environments 
• IEC 61000-6-2 (immunity-related) – Applies to equipment in industrial environments.