EU Low Voltage Directive Annex II exclusions

Directive 2014/35/EU covers electrical equipment designed for use between 50 and 1000 V alternating current (AC) or between 75 and 1500 V direct current (DC), except the equipment and phenomena listed in Annex II. A product outside those voltage bands is not an Annex II case; it is outside the LVD voltage scope for a different reason.

For equipment within the voltage bands, Annex II lists specific exclusions. Treat the list as closed: if the product does not fit a named category, do not call it an Annex II exclusion. A separate product regime can still change the conformity route or apply LVD safety objectives through its own provisions, as the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) does for radio equipment, without creating a new Annex II category.

Directive 2014/35/EU has applied through Member State transposing laws since 20 April 2016. An Annex II conclusion removes the product or phenomenon from the LVD route; it does not establish compliance with another applicable Union act or national rule, and it does not by itself authorise or prohibit CE marking under another act.

Domestic plugs and socket outlets are excluded because Europe does not have a harmonised household plug system, but the guide draws a line around that exclusion. Special plugs and socket outlets, including appliance couplers and industrial-purpose couplers, are not excluded on that basis.

The guide also gives a country-system example for socket outlets with switches. A switched socket outlet that is a complete assembly used only as part of a national plug and socket outlet system can be outside the LVD and should not be CE marked under the LVD. By contrast, a socket outlet assembly and a separate switch assembly supplied as a common assembly can need CE marking.

The custom-built evaluation-kit exclusion is narrow. The LVD Guide says all elements must be met: the kit must be built for a specific customer or a specific customer group in a joint research and development project, have unique design characteristics tied to that project, be destined for professionals, and be used solely at research and development facilities.

If the same evaluation equipment is provided on a regular basis, sold for users in general in R&D departments, or used as ordinary laboratory equipment to perform tests, the guide says it does not benefit from the custom-built evaluation-kit exemption.

A useful exclusion record is short and factual. It should show the product, intended use, voltage rating, market role, claimed Annex II category, and the exact facts that connect the product to that category.

Where an exclusion shifts the issue to another regime, the record should say so without treating that other regime as an LVD clearance. For example, radio-electrical interference belongs in the EMC analysis, lift electrical parts sit with the lifts regime, explosive-atmosphere equipment sits with ATEX, and specialised transport equipment needs its own transport-safety basis.

Identify the legal basis correctly: Annex II is binding through the Directive and national transposing law, while the Commission LVD Guide is non-binding guidance. If the product does not fit the legal wording and the guide's example on the same facts, keep the classification open for case-specific review.

Assign an owner to revisit the conclusion when intended use, product design, installation environment, customer group, supply pattern, or the other regime relied on changes. If the Annex II facts no longer hold, return to the rated-voltage test and build the LVD conformity file before further EU placement or supply.