Key takeaways
- A mains-powered table lamp, floor lamp, pendant or lighting chain falls under both the LVD and the EMC Directive, and usually RoHS and WEEE as well.
- Under the LVD the manufacturer self-certifies (Module A): no notified body is needed, but the technical file must include a risk assessment and test reports.
- Conformity with harmonised standards listed in the Official Journal, such as the EN 60598 series for luminaires and EN IEC 55015 and EN 61547 for lighting EMC, gives a presumption of conformity.
- The EU importer must check the CE marking, documents and labels, add its own name and postal address, and keep the Declaration for 10 years.
- An inspection checks markings, labels, documents and that components match the tested sample; electrical safety and EMC tests need an accredited lab.
Which products are covered
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU applies to electrical equipment designed for a voltage rating between 50 and 1,000 V AC or 75 and 1,500 V DC. A lamp or lighting chain that plugs into EU mains is covered. The EMC Directive 2014/30/EU applies to apparatus that can cause electromagnetic disturbance or be affected by it, which includes most lamps with LED drivers, dimmers, transformers or electronic switches. Both have applied since 20 April 2016.
| Product | LVD | EMC |
|---|---|---|
| Mains table, floor, wall or pendant lamp | Yes | Yes, if it has electronics such as an LED driver or dimmer |
| Mains lighting chain or illuminated décor | Yes | Usually |
| Battery-only LED décor below 50 V AC / 75 V DC | No; safety falls under the GPSR | Usually, if it has electronics |
| Mains adapter supplied with a low-voltage lamp | Yes, the adapter | Yes |
Annex II of the LVD excludes some items, including plugs and socket outlets for domestic use. Plugs follow national rules in each EU country, so confirm the plug type with your buyer for each destination.
Declaration, technical file and CE marking
| Requirement | LVD 2014/35/EU | EMC 2014/30/EU |
|---|---|---|
| Essential requirements | Safety objectives in Annex I | Limits on emissions and enough immunity (Annex I) |
| Conformity assessment | Internal production control, Module A (Annex III); no notified body | Module A (Annex II), or optional EU-type examination by a notified body (Annex III) |
| Technical documentation | Description, drawings and circuit diagrams, list of standards applied, risk analysis, calculations and test reports | Also an EMC assessment covering all normal operating configurations |
| EU Declaration of Conformity | Model structure in Annex IV of each Directive; one Declaration for all EU acts that apply, translated into the languages the selling country requires | |
| CE marking | Visible, legible and indelible on the product or its data plate, or on packaging and documents if that is not possible; affixed before the product is placed on the market | |
| Product labels | Type, batch or serial number; manufacturer's name or trade mark and postal address; importer's name and postal address | |
| Instructions | Instructions and safety information in a language consumers easily understand | Precautions for assembly, installation and use; any restriction on use in residential areas |
| Record keeping | Declaration and technical file kept for 10 years after the product is placed on the market | |
Harmonised standards for lamps and lighting
Equipment that meets harmonised standards whose references are published in the Official Journal is presumed to conform to the requirements those standards cover (LVD Article 12). For lighting, the Commission's summary lists include:
- EN 60598-1, Luminaires, general requirements and tests (edition EN IEC 60598-1:2021/A11:2022 in the list), with Part 2 standards for particular types, for example EN 60598-2-4 for portable general-purpose luminaires (table and floor lamps) and EN 60598-2-20 for lighting chains.
- EN 62560 for self-ballasted LED lamps above 50 V, EN 61347 series for lamp control gear, and EN 62471 for photobiological safety.
- For EMC: EN IEC 55015 (radio disturbance from lighting equipment), EN 61547 (immunity of general lighting equipment), and EN 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-3 (harmonic currents and voltage fluctuations).
Lists change as standards are revised. Check the current list, and the edition your lab tests to, before testing.
Importer obligations and other EU rules
Under Article 8 of the LVD (Article 9 of the EMC Directive has the same structure), the EU importer must place only compliant equipment on the market. Before doing so it checks that the conformity assessment was done, that the technical documentation exists, that the product carries the CE marking and required documents, and that the manufacturer's identification and address are on it. It adds its own name and postal address, keeps a copy of the Declaration for 10 years and makes the technical documentation available on request.
Because the LVD and EMC Directive are listed in Article 4 of the Market Surveillance Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, an economic operator established in the EU must also be responsible for the product and named on it, its packaging, the parcel or an accompanying document.
Other EU rules usually apply to the same lamp: RoHS and WEEE, ecodesign and energy labelling for light sources (Regulations (EU) 2019/2020 and 2019/2015), and REACH for materials such as cables and shades.
What this means for lamps made in India
Indian lamp makers in Moradabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Delhi NCR often make the body and shade in-house and buy the electrical parts (cord, plug, lampholder, switch, driver) from traders. The test report covers the components in the tested sample, so the risk is substitution:
- A different cord, lampholder or switch from another trader, without the ratings or approvals listed in the report.
- A metal body without the earth connection that its protection class requires, or a missing cord anchorage.
- Rating labels, CE marking or importer details missing, or printed on a removable sticker.
- Instructions only in English for a shipment to Germany, France or Italy.
Ask the factory for a critical components list from the test report, and fix it in the purchase order.
What inspection can check, and what needs a lab
| An inspector at the factory can check | Needs an accredited lab |
|---|---|
| CE marking, rating label, model or batch number, manufacturer and importer details, WEEE symbol | Full EN 60598 safety tests, such as temperature rise, electric strength and creepage distances |
| Declaration of Conformity and test reports on file and covering this model | EMC emission and immunity tests |
| Cord, plug, lampholder, switch and driver match the critical components list | Photobiological safety of LED light sources |
| Cord anchorage, assembly, function test, and field checks the buyer specifies, such as earth continuity | RoHS substance content |
| Instructions and warnings in the ordered languages |
How Clear To Load checks this in India
On a home décor and handicrafts inspection in India, which covers lamps and lighting, the inspector checks CE and label content against your artwork, compares electrical components with the test report's component list, and runs function and field checks you specify. For full LVD or EMC tests, we pull and seal samples for an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab of your choice through lab testing coordination.
The report arrives within 24 hours of the inspection and ends in Cleared to load, Hold or Not cleared. An inspection does not issue a CE mark or Declaration; those remain the manufacturer's responsibility. To add these checks, book an inspection.