---
title: "EU LVD standard selection and OJEU checks"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/standard-selection"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/standard-selection"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "How to select Low Voltage Directive harmonised standards, check OJEU status, map Annex I safety objectives, and document alternatives in the technical file."
published_at: "2026-05-09"
updated_at: "2026-05-09"
keywords:
  - "EU Low Voltage Directive"
  - "LVD"
  - "Directive 2014/35/EU"
  - "harmonised standards"
  - "OJEU"
  - "technical file"
---
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---

# EU LVD standard selection and OJEU checks

How to select Low Voltage Directive harmonised standards, check OJEU status, map Annex I safety objectives, and document alternatives in the technical file.

*Artifact Guide* *EU*

## EU Low Voltage Directive Standard Selection

Choose LVD standards by product scope, OJEU citation status, stated limitations, and the Annex I safety objectives each standard actually covers.

Use this page to build a technical-file record that explains the selected harmonised standards, any partial application, and the alternative specifications used for uncovered risks.

LVD standard selection is not a search for any familiar EN number. The defensible record shows that the product is electrical equipment within the LVD voltage range, that each selected harmonised standard is cited for Directive 2014/35/EU in the Official Journal of the European Union, and that the standard's scope covers the product configuration and the Annex I hazards being claimed.

## Select only standards that support the LVD claim

Start from the product, not from a legacy certificate. Identify the rated input and output voltages, intended use, foreseeable installation conditions, accessories, software-controlled safety functions, supplied power cords, batteries, chargers, enclosures, and any other Union product rules that may apply alongside the LVD.

A harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity only for the safety objectives or parts of safety objectives covered by that standard after its reference is published in the OJEU. Treat the Commission LVD harmonised-standards page and the current implementing decisions as the source for publication, withdrawal, and replacement status.

- Record the exact standard reference, edition, amendment, corrigendum, and product-family scope relied on for the LVD claim.
- Check whether the OJEU entry is current, withdrawn, awaiting withdrawal, or subject to a limitation before relying on it for presumption of conformity.
- Do not treat guidance documents, internal test procedures, CB reports, or supplier certificates as substitutes for an OJEU-cited harmonised standard.
- Where a product standard is revised, document whether the old reference still applies during a deferred withdrawal period or whether the new reference must be used.

Sources for this answer:

- [Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 on LVD harmonised standards](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2723/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Supports using OJEU-published LVD harmonised-standard references, including publication, replacement, and withdrawal tables.
- [European Commission - Low voltage (LVD) harmonised standards](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/low-voltage-lvd_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission LVD standards page used to verify that LVD standard references are published and withdrawn through Commission implementing decisions.
- [European Commission - harmonised standards overview](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards_en?ref=sorena.io) - Explains the voluntary nature of harmonised standards and the role of OJEU publication in presumption of conformity.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: after implementation section*

## Check your LVD standards file before release

Review the product scope, OJEU-cited standards, Annex I hazard mapping, uncovered risks, and technical-file evidence before signing the EU declaration of conformity.

- [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Check LVD scope, cited standards, and evidence questions with sourced outputs.
- [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review your standards matrix, risk gaps, declarations, and release evidence.

## Map each standard to Annex I hazards

The standards table should say what each selected standard proves. Map clauses and test reports to the LVD Annex I safety objectives: safe marking and instructions, safe assembly and connection, protection against direct and indirect contact, dangerous temperatures, arcs, radiation, non-electrical dangers revealed by experience, suitable insulation, mechanical requirements, environmental influences, and foreseeable overload.

A single product may need more than one standard family. For example, a household appliance, its charger, its cord set, surge protection, enclosure ingress protection, and control equipment may draw on different cited standards. The technical file should make those boundaries explicit instead of presenting one standard as total coverage.

- For each hazard, identify the selected standard clause, test report, design calculation, inspection record, or engineering rationale.
- Mark partial application clearly when only some clauses or parts of a standard apply to the product.
- Separate LVD safety evidence from EMC, RED, RoHS, machinery, construction-products, or other adjacent regimes so the EU declaration can name the correct Union acts.
- Keep a gap row for every Annex I hazard that is not fully covered by the selected harmonised standards.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/35/EU on electrical equipment within certain voltage limits](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary LVD source for Article 3 safety objectives, Article 12 presumption of conformity, and Annex I hazard categories.
- [Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 on LVD harmonised standards](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2723/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Confirms that presumption of conformity is limited to the safety objectives covered by the cited harmonised standards or parts of standards.

## Document alternatives where no harmonised standard fully covers the product

Harmonised standards are voluntary. If no cited standard fully covers a novel design, mixed technology, non-standard installation, or product-specific hazard, the manufacturer can still demonstrate conformity, but the technical file must explain the technical solution used to meet the LVD safety objectives.

Use the LVD order of evidence carefully. Where no relevant harmonised standard has been drawn up and published, the Directive recognises IEC safety provisions through the Article 13 publication process. Where neither harmonised nor Article 13 international standards have been published, Article 14 addresses national standards in the Member State of manufacture, subject to an equivalent safety level. These routes do not remove the need to check every Annex I hazard.

- Describe the uncovered risk, why the harmonised standard does not fully address it, and the design measure, test method, calculation, or other technical specification used instead.
- Keep the risk analysis separate from the standards list; choosing a standard does not supersede assessing product-specific risks.
- For new techniques or software-controlled safety behavior, record the validation method and why it addresses the LVD hazard in foreseeable use and maintenance conditions.
- If relying on IEC or national standards outside Article 12 harmonised standards, state why the Article 13 or Article 14 conditions are relevant and what safety objectives remain checked directly.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/35/EU on electrical equipment within certain voltage limits](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary source for Articles 13 and 14 alternatives when harmonised standards have not been drawn up and published.
- [European Commission - harmonised standards overview](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards_en?ref=sorena.io) - Supports that manufacturers may choose another technical solution to demonstrate compliance with mandatory legal requirements.

## Keep the standards evidence in the technical file

The LVD technical documentation must make it possible to assess conformity. For standard selection, that means the file should show the product version assessed, applicable requirements, standards applied in full or in part, other technical specifications used where standards were not applied, design calculations, examinations, and test reports.

Keep a dated standards-status check with the technical file and refresh it when the design changes, the product is modified for a new market or installation environment, a supplier changes a safety-critical component, a complaint or incident reveals a hazard, or a cited standard is amended, replaced, limited, or withdrawn from the OJEU.

- Include a standards matrix with columns for OJEU reference, edition, amendments, withdrawal or cessation date if stated, product scope, hazards covered, clauses applied, and evidence location.
- Attach test reports and design records to the product model, type, batch, firmware or hardware revision, and configuration tested.
- List assumptions and exclusions, including accessories, installation conditions, environmental limits, maintenance conditions, and foreseeable overload scenarios.
- Keep the EU declaration of conformity aligned with the standards and other technical specifications actually used for the product model.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/35/EU on electrical equipment within certain voltage limits](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary source for manufacturer technical documentation, production conformity, EU declaration, and 10-year retention duties.
- [European Commission - Low Voltage Directive policy page](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/low-voltage-directive-lvd_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission LVD page used for policy context, LVD guidance access, and links to harmonised standards resources.

## Primary sources

- [Directive 2014/35/EU on electrical equipment within certain voltage limits](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/35/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Primary LVD source for scope, Article 3 safety objectives, Articles 12 to 14 standards routes, Annex I hazards, Annex III technical documentation, EU declaration, and CE marking.
  - Quote: "The principal elements of the safety objectives are listed in Annex I."
- [Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723 on LVD harmonised standards](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2723/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Current consolidated LVD standards decision source for OJEU publication, replacement, and withdrawal of harmonised-standard references.
  - Quote: "listed in Annex I to this Decision"
- [European Commission - Low voltage (LVD) harmonised standards](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/low-voltage-lvd_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission page for LVD harmonised-standard publications and summary-list status.
  - Quote: "The Commission services provide this summary for information purposes only."
- [European Commission - harmonised standards overview](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards_en?ref=sorena.io) - Explains harmonised standards, OJEU publication, voluntary use, and formal objection context across EU product rules.
  - Quote: "The use of these standards remains voluntary."
- [European Commission - Low Voltage Directive policy page](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/low-voltage-directive-lvd_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission policy page used for LVD guidance and implementation-resource context.
  - Quote: "Low Voltage Directive"

## Related Topic Guides

- [Are chargers and power adapters covered by the EU Low Voltage Directive? | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/chargers-and-adapters.md): LVD FAQ for chargers, external power supplies, travel adapters, CE marking, technical documentation, instructions, harmonised standards, and EMC, RED, and RoHS overlap.
- [Are components covered by the Low Voltage Directive? | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/components.md): How the LVD treats basic components, electrical components intended for incorporation, CE marking, and evidence for finished electrical equipment.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive applicability test](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/applicability-test.md): Check whether electrical equipment falls under the EU Low Voltage Directive by voltage rating, Annex II exclusions, components, evaluation kits, batteries, CE marking, and adjacent EU product rules.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive compliance guide](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/compliance.md): Concrete LVD compliance guide covering scope, safety objectives, manufacturer duties, internal production control, EU declaration, CE marking, technical documentation, labels, importer and distributor checks, and post-market action.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive deadlines and compliance calendar](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): Calendar checkpoints for LVD 2014/35/EU: current-law status, release evidence gates, OJEU standard withdrawals, 10-year records, and post-market triggers.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive exclusion triage workflow](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/exclusion-triage-workflow.md): A concrete LVD exclusion triage workflow for voltage scope, Annex II exclusions, components, evaluation kits, radio equipment, EMC, Machinery, and evidence records.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive FAQ: scope, duties, CE marking](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq.md): Answers to practical LVD questions on voltage limits, Annex II exclusions, batteries, chargers, components, economic operators, instructions, standards, CE marking, and post-market controls.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive post-market controls](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/post-market-controls.md): LVD post-market controls for corrective action, recalls, complaints, technical documentation, EU declarations, authority cooperation, and 2019/1020 market surveillance.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive requirements](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/requirements.md): LVD requirements for voltage scope, Annex I safety objectives, economic operator duties, internal production control, technical files, EU declarations, CE marking, standards, and market surveillance.
- [EU Low Voltage Directive scope and covered products](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/scope-and-products.md): Scope notes for the EU Low Voltage Directive: voltage limits, Annex II exclusions, components, chargers, adapters, and boundaries with RED, Machinery, and EMC rules.
- [Household Appliances under the Low Voltage Directive | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/household-appliances.md): FAQ on how household and similar electrical appliances are treated under the EU Low Voltage Directive, including scope, safety objectives, CE marking, documentation, standards, and operator roles.
- [Low Voltage Directive vs EMC Directive: safety and EMC comparison](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/low-voltage-directive-vs-emc-directive.md): Compare the EU Low Voltage Directive and EMC Directive by scope, safety objectives, electromagnetic disturbance, immunity, CE marking, declarations, documentation, and standards.
- [Low Voltage Directive vs Machinery Regulation boundary](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/low-voltage-directive-vs-machinery-regulation.md): Grounded comparison of the LVD and EU machinery law boundary for electrical equipment, machine electrical hazards, control gear, documentation, and CE marking.
- [LVD Annex II exclusions under Directive 2014/35/EU](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/annex-ii-exclusions.md): Practical EU Low Voltage Directive guide to Annex II excluded equipment, boundary cases, and records to keep when a product is outside LVD scope.
- [LVD combined CE files for multi-regime products](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/combined-ce-files.md): How to keep EU declarations, standards, risk assessments, instructions, labels, and technical documentation aligned when LVD products also trigger EMC, RED, RoHS, machinery, or market-surveillance checks.
- [LVD Compliance Checklist](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/checklist.md): EU Low Voltage Directive checklist covering scope, safety objectives, standards, technical documentation, EU declaration, CE marking, labelling, traceability, and post-market duties.
- [LVD conformity assessment and CE marking](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/conformity-assessment-and-ce.md): EU Low Voltage Directive guide to internal production control, technical documentation, harmonised standards, EU declarations of conformity, and CE placement.
- [LVD Conformity Assessment Template](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/lvd-conformity-assessment-template.md): Template fields for documenting Low Voltage Directive scope, Annex I safety objectives, standards, technical documentation, EU declaration, CE marking, and production control evidence.
- [LVD Essential Safety Hazards and Objectives](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/essential-safety-hazards.md): EU Low Voltage Directive hazard map for Annex I safety objectives: electrical contact, heat, arcs, radiation, insulation, assembly, overload, mechanical, environmental, and foreseeable-use risks.
- [LVD Essential Safety Requirements](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/essential-safety-requirements.md): Annex I safety objectives under the EU Low Voltage Directive: safe construction, markings, instructions, electrical hazards, external influences, insulation, temperature, and technical-file evidence.
- [LVD harmonised standard update workflow](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/harmonized-standard-update-impact-workflow.md): Workflow for checking Low Voltage Directive harmonised standard updates, affected products, withdrawal dates, presumption of conformity, retesting, technical files, and declarations.
- [LVD Harmonised Standards and OJEU Citations](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/harmonized-standards.md): Track Low Voltage Directive harmonised standards by OJEU reference, presumption of conformity, restrictions, withdrawals, replacements, and technical-file evidence.
- [LVD importer obligations FAQ | Directive 2014/35/EU](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/importers.md): What importers must check before placing LVD electrical equipment on the EU market: conformity assessment, CE marking, EU declaration, traceability, storage, corrective action, and authority cooperation.
- [LVD instructions and labelling requirements | FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/instructions-and-labelling.md): What the Low Voltage Directive requires for instructions, safety information, traceability, manufacturer/importer labels, CE marking, and retained evidence.
- [LVD Internal Production Control: Module A Evidence](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/internal-production-control.md): How manufacturers document Low Voltage Directive Module A: technical documentation, safety objectives, harmonised standards, EU declaration, CE marking, and production controls.
- [LVD penalties and enforcement](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/penalties-and-fines.md): How penalties and enforcement work under the EU Low Voltage Directive: Member State penalty rules, market surveillance action, recalls, restrictions, and cooperation.
- [LVD release evidence gates workflow](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/release-evidence-gates-workflow.md): Product-release gates for EU Low Voltage Directive evidence: voltage scope, safety objectives, standards, technical documentation, EU declaration, CE marking, labelling, production control, operator checks, and post-market triggers.
- [LVD spare parts FAQ | CE marking and evidence](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/spare-parts.md): How to handle spare parts under the EU Low Voltage Directive when a part is electrical equipment, built into finished equipment, imported, modified, or documented for repair.
- [LVD Technical Documentation Checklist](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/technical-documentation.md): What to keep in EU Low Voltage Directive technical documentation: product identity, design and manufacturing records, risk assessment, standards, tests, declaration, CE marking, instructions, and authority access.
- [LVD voltage scope triage workflow](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/voltage-scope-triage-workflow.md): A concrete Low Voltage Directive scope workflow for AC/DC thresholds, intended-use claims, Annex II exclusions, components, chargers, adapters, and RED, EMC, or Machinery routing.
- [LVD voltage thresholds: 50-1000 V AC and 75-1500 V DC](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/voltage-thresholds.md): How the EU Low Voltage Directive voltage limits work for rated input and output voltage, battery-powered equipment, chargers, Annex II exclusions, and RED, EMC, or Machinery routing.
- [LVD vs MSR: Low Voltage Directive and Market Surveillance Regulation](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/lvd-vs-msr.md): Compare LVD electrical-equipment conformity duties with Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 market surveillance, economic-operator cooperation, corrective action, online sales, and border controls.
- [LVD vs RED: electrical safety and radio equipment scope](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/lvd-vs-red.md): Compare the Low Voltage Directive and Radio Equipment Directive for electrical safety, radio scope, CE files, chargers, adapters, and harmonised standards.
- [LVD vs RoHS: electrical safety vs substance restriction](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/lvd-vs-rohs.md): Compare LVD and RoHS at the CE file boundary: electrical safety evidence, hazardous-substance restriction, declarations, standards, and documentation overlap.
- [What happens when an LVD harmonised standard is withdrawn or replaced? | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/standards-withdrawal.md): How LVD manufacturers should handle OJEU standard withdrawals, replacement references, presumption of conformity, technical documentation updates, and transition dates.
- [When are battery-powered products covered by the Low Voltage Directive? | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/battery-powered-products.md): LVD FAQ explaining when battery-only products, bundled chargers, adapters, external power supplies, and integrated supplies fall inside or outside Directive 2014/35/EU.
- [Which AC and DC voltage thresholds bring equipment into the Low Voltage Directive? | LVD FAQ](/artifacts/eu/low-voltage-directive/faq/ac-and-dc-thresholds.md): LVD FAQ explaining the 50-1000 V AC and 75-1500 V DC scope thresholds, input and output ratings, exclusions, and common product edge cases.


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