The European Commission's automotive EMC directive, recently amended to cover recent developments, does not go far enough, according to a test specialist.

"It gives a lot more clarity to people manufacturing cars," said Andy Kotas, product manager at Schaffner. "There are some changes, new tests, new limits, but in my opinion it still doesn't go far enough."

Kotas said the directive covers radiated emissions up to 1GHz and conducted emissions up to 2GHz. "But of course Bluetooth works around 2.4-2.5GHz, so they've missed out the whole Bluetooth thing," said Kotas. "It's going to be a major thing in cars."

The directive also now covers after sales products. "Before it was looking at everything in the car, now it looks at all after sales stuff as well," said Kotas.

This means products such as Bluetooth headsets need to comply, and Kotas is sure companies will not invest £15-20k in tests for a £30-40 headset to meet the directive. Instead they are likely to rely on the CE mark.

The problem will then come when a user finds a glitch and complains.

"The car manufacturers will say you've put something in we didn't agree to, therefore the certification is null and void," said Kotas. "The guy who manufactured the headset will say it's not our fault - we tested it to all relevant standards."

The EC said the update was needed as legislation on EMC for motor vehicles goes back to 1972, when its only purpose was to stop interference to radio and TV reception from the use of spark plugs.

"For me this seems a huge glaring omission from the directive and probably in a few years they're going to have to produce another one," said Kotas.

Written by Melanie Reynolds - Electronics Weekly

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