REDApplicability

EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Applicability Test

Decide scope and document it in under 15 minutes.

Output: an in-scope / out-of-scope result plus a list of the next pages to use.

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Author

Sorena AI

Published

Feb 21, 2026

Updated

Feb 21, 2026

Sections

Structured answer sets in this page tree.

Primary sources

Cited legal and guidance references.

Publication metadata

Sorena AI

Published Feb 21, 2026

Updated Feb 21, 2026

Overview

Use this applicability test to lock down RED scope early. The goal is not just in scope or out of scope, but what is triggered and what evidence do we need. Save the output as a scope memo in your technical file.

Section 1

Step 1 - Is it radio equipment? (definition check)

Start with the radio facts: does the equipment intentionally transmit and/or receive radio waves for radiocommunication or radiodetermination?

If a radio module is integrated into a larger product, the product can still be in scope depending on how it is made available and intended to be used.

Does it intentionally transmit radio waves (Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, LPWAN, GNSS, etc.)?
Does it intentionally receive radio waves as part of its intended function?
Is the radio function part of the product placed on the market (not a lab-only prototype)?

Section 2

Step 2 - Are you excluded? (don't guess)

RED has exclusions and special cases. If you claim an exclusion, document the legal basis and keep it with the technical file.

If you are unsure, treat it as in-scope until proven otherwise - it prevents late-stage redesigns.

Is it fixed-line terminal equipment, marine equipment, or an airborne product covered by another Union regime?
Is it a custom-built evaluation kit for professionals used solely at a research and development facility?
Is it radio-amateur equipment that is not being made available on the market?
Is the radio function absent in the shipped configuration (and can end users enable it)?

Section 3

Step 3 - What essential requirements are triggered?

All in-scope radio equipment must meet the core essential requirements (safety/health, EMC, spectrum efficiency).

Additional requirements can apply depending on product characteristics and whether they have been activated via delegated acts (notably cybersecurity).

Core: safety/health, EMC, efficient use of spectrum
Additional: interworking, access to emergency services, privacy/data protection, fraud protection, software/feature-related requirements (depending on activation and product type)
Cybersecurity: check Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 applicability (applies from 1 Aug 2025)

Section 4

Step 4 - Does the cybersecurity delegated act apply to you? (EU) 2022/30

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 activates the essential requirements in Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f) for defined equipment categories.

Treat this as a product classification exercise tied to your architecture and data flows.

Internet-connected radio equipment: network protection requirement (Article 3(3)(d))
Equipment processing personal data / traffic data / location data: privacy/data protection requirement (Article 3(3)(e))
Internet-connected equipment enabling transfer of money/monetary value/virtual currency: fraud protection requirement (Article 3(3)(f))
Effective date: applies from 1 Aug 2025 after the postponement in Regulation (EU) 2023/2444

Section 5

Outcome summary (copy/paste for your technical file)

Write a short scope conclusion and list what you will use as evidence. This prevents rework later.

If you are 'partially in scope' (variants differ), document which variants are in/out and why.

Scope conclusion: in scope / out of scope / mixed (variants)
Triggered requirements: core + any additional/cybersecurity triggers
Evidence route: harmonised standards used + test plan + conformity assessment module + documentation owner
Next pages: requirements -> standards/test plan -> conformity and CE -> cybersecurity guide (if triggered)

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