EU Radio Equipment Directive Article 10 labelling and restrictions

Start with the Article 10 obligation that matches the physical artefact. The manufacturer must keep the technical documentation and EU declaration for 10 years after the equipment is placed on the market. The radio equipment must bear a type, batch, serial number, or other identifier; only when the equipment's size or nature prevents that placement may the identifier move to the packaging or an accompanying document. The same placement exception applies to the manufacturer's name or registered mark and single postal contact point. Convenience or artwork preference is not the legal exception.

Article 10 also requires instructions and safety information in a language easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. For radio equipment that intentionally emits radio waves, the instructions must state the operating frequency bands and maximum radio-frequency power transmitted in those bands. Each item must also be accompanied by either the full EU declaration of conformity or the simplified declaration, which must give the exact internet address for the full text.

For equipment subject to the common-charger rules in Annex Ia, Article 10(8) adds charging-capability and compatible-charger information to the instructions and requires the prescribed label in the instructions and on or affixed to the packaging. With no packaging, affix the label to the equipment; for distance sales, display it visibly and legibly close to the price. These rules have applied to the first 12 listed categories since 28 December 2024 and to laptops since 28 April 2026; check the exact category, rechargeable-battery condition, and wired-charging capability.

Importers add their own name or registered mark and postal address to the equipment or, where the Directive permits, its packaging or an accompanying document. Before placement, they must verify the manufacturer's conformity assessment, technical documentation, CE marking, and Article 10 information. Distributors must verify the CE marking and required accompanying documents before making the equipment available.

Article 10(10) applies when there are restrictions on putting the radio equipment into service or requirements for authorisation of use. These are radio-use conditions, such as a band or authorisation condition in an intended market, not every product warning or sales limitation. The packaging must identify the Member States or the geographical area within a Member State where the condition exists, and the instructions must state the actual restriction or authorisation requirement.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1354 specifies the packaging presentation. If the equipment is subject to those restrictions or authorisation requirements in at least one Member State, packaging must visibly and legibly show either the required pictogram or the words "Restrictions or Requirements in" followed by the relevant Member State abbreviations.

Run Article 10 as a packaging and documentation gate before the product is placed on the market. The output should identify the responsible manufacturer, importer, and distributor checks; show what appears on the equipment; justify any information moved to packaging or accompanying documents because of size or nature; and state whether Article 10(10) restriction information is needed.

Article 10 is a legal-information requirement. The packaging, product label, instructions, charging label where applicable, and declaration link must match the assessed radio configuration and each market where the equipment will be made available. Missing Article 10 information is formal non-compliance and can lead authorities to require correction; persistent non-compliance can lead to restriction, withdrawal, or recall.