---
title: "RED notified body route selection under Article 17"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/notified-body-route-selection"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/notified-body-route-selection"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "Decide when RED radio equipment can use internal production control and when Article 17 requires Annex III EU-type examination or Annex IV full quality assurance."
published_at: "2026-05-09"
updated_at: "2026-05-09"
keywords:
  - "RED notified body"
  - "Radio Equipment Directive Article 17"
  - "RED Annex III"
  - "RED Annex IV"
  - "EU-type examination"
  - "harmonised standards radio equipment"
  - "EU Radio Equipment Directive"
  - "RED"
  - "Directive 2014/53/EU"
  - "notified body route selection"
  - "Article 17"
  - "Annex III"
  - "Annex IV"
  - "RED compliance"
  - "harmonised standards"
---
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---

# RED notified body route selection under Article 17

Decide when RED radio equipment can use internal production control and when Article 17 requires Annex III EU-type examination or Annex IV full quality assurance.

*Artifact Guide* *EU*

## EU Radio Equipment Directive Notified Body Route Selection

Article 17 lets manufacturers use internal production control for Article 3(1), and for Article 3(2) or 3(3) only when the relevant OJEU-cited harmonised standards are applied.

Use this page to choose between internal production control, Annex III EU-type examination plus conformity to type, and Annex IV full quality assurance without treating voluntary certificates as RED evidence.

RED notified-body route selection starts with Article 17. For Article 3(1) safety and EMC, internal production control remains one available route. For Article 3(2) efficient spectrum use and Article 3(3) activated requirements, the route changes when OJEU-cited harmonised standards are missing, not applied, or only partly applied: the radio equipment must go through Annex III or Annex IV for those essential requirements.

## Article 17 route decision

First split the assessment by essential requirement. Article 17(2) allows the manufacturer to demonstrate Article 3(1) compliance through Annex II internal production control, Annex III EU-type examination followed by conformity to type, or Annex IV full quality assurance.

For Article 3(2) and Article 3(3), internal production control is available only when the manufacturer has applied harmonised standards whose references are published in the Official Journal for the requirements being assessed. If those standards are not applied, are only partly applied, or do not exist for the relevant requirement, Article 17(4) removes Annex II for that part of the assessment and requires either Annex III or Annex IV.

- Map each radio, receiver, transmitter, module, or kit configuration to Article 3(1), Article 3(2), and any applicable Article 3(3) requirement.
- For Article 3(2) and Article 3(3), record the exact OJEU-cited harmonised standard, edition, covered clauses, and whether it is applied in full or in part.
- If the standards position is incomplete for a relevant Article 3(2) or 3(3) requirement, choose Annex III or Annex IV before market placement.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32014L0053&ref=sorena.io) - Article 17 sets the RED conformity-assessment choices and the notified-body trigger when Article 3(2) or 3(3) harmonised standards are absent, partial, or not used.
- [European Commission - harmonised standards for radio equipment](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/radio-equipment_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission page for OJEU-published RED harmonised-standard references and the consolidated summary list used to verify presumption of conformity.

## Choosing Annex III or Annex IV

Annex III is the product-design route: a single notified body of the manufacturer's choice examines the technical design through the technical documentation and supporting evidence, without examination of a specimen. When the type meets the applicable RED requirements, the notified body issues an EU-type examination certificate; conformity to type is then handled through internal production control.

Annex IV is the quality-system route: the manufacturer uses an approved quality system for design, manufacture, final inspection, and testing, and the notified body assesses and surveils that system. Annex IV also affects marking because the CE marking is followed by the notified body's identification number when Annex IV is applied.

- Use Annex III when the compliance question is mainly whether the technical design and supporting evidence demonstrate the applicable Article 3 requirement.
- Use Annex IV when the release model depends on an approved design and manufacturing quality system with notified-body surveillance.
- Do not lodge the same Annex III or Annex IV application with more than one notified body; both annexes require a written declaration on that point.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32014L0053&ref=sorena.io) - Annex III defines EU-type examination plus conformity to type; Annex IV defines conformity based on full quality assurance and notified-body surveillance.
- [European Commission - notified bodies](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/building-blocks/notified-bodies_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission overview explaining that manufacturers may choose any legally designated notified body for the relevant conformity-assessment procedure.

## Evidence to keep in the technical file

The route-selection memo should be readable without project history. It should show the product configuration assessed, the Article 3 requirements in scope, the harmonised-standard status for each requirement, and the reason Annex II, Annex III, or Annex IV was selected.

Annex III evidence should include the EU-type examination application package, the technical documentation, supporting evidence, the notified body's evaluation outcome, the EU-type examination certificate and annexes if issued, and later approvals for modifications that affect conformity or certificate validity. Annex IV evidence should include the quality-system documentation, technical documentation for each radio equipment type, notified-body decisions, audit reports, visit reports, and approved quality-system changes.

- Keep the standards matrix specific: standard reference, OJEU status, requirement coverage, full or partial application, and any alternative technical specifications.
- Keep test reports, calculations, risk assessment, firmware or software versions affecting compliance, user information, marking records, and EU declaration records with the route decision.
- Reopen the record after design, firmware, component, radio function, intended operating condition, harmonised-standard, or quality-system changes.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32014L0053&ref=sorena.io) - Article 21 and Annex V define technical-documentation content, including applied harmonised standards, alternative solutions, and Annex III certificate records where applicable.
- [European Commission - harmonised standards for radio equipment](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/radio-equipment_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission standards page used to verify the OJEU-published references relied on in the technical file.

*Recommended next step*

*Placement: after implementation section*

## Turn the route decision into a technical-file record

Use this RED route guide to document why Annex II, Annex III, or Annex IV was chosen for each Article 3 requirement, and keep the standards matrix, notified-body evidence, and review triggers together.

- [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Answer RED scope, timing, and interpretation questions with cited outputs.
- [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review your scope, evidence model, controls, and next actions.

## Mistakes that create route risk

The most common mistake is treating a voluntary certificate or a generic test report as a substitute for the RED conformity-assessment route. The Commission warns that voluntary or other additional certificates are not a recognised means to prove compliance unless specific legislation provides for them.

A second mistake is assuming that any standard with a familiar title gives full presumption of conformity. Route selection depends on the references published in the Official Journal and on the exact Article 3 requirement covered. A partly applied or non-OJEU specification can still be useful evidence, but it does not by itself preserve the Annex II route for Article 3(2) or 3(3).

- Do not choose a notified body unless it is designated for RED and for the relevant tasks; check the Commission notified-body list rather than a marketing certificate.
- Do not use Annex III certificate language for Annex IV quality-system approvals, or add a notified-body identification number to the CE marking except where the applied route requires it.
- Do not leave the route decision stale after a new radio variant, firmware update, supplier change, standard withdrawal, or Article 3(3) requirement activation.

Sources for this answer:

- [Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32014L0053&ref=sorena.io) - Article 20 and Annex IV explain when the notified body's identification number follows the CE marking.
- [European Commission - Radio Equipment Directive](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/radio-equipment-directive-red_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission RED overview warning that voluntary certificates are not a recognised means to prove compliance and pointing to RED notified bodies.
- [European Commission - RED notified bodies list](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/single-market-compliance-space/notified-bodies/notified-body-list?filter=legislationId:154428,notificationStatusId:1&ref=sorena.io) - Commission listed RED notified bodies source for checking designation before relying on a body for Annex III or Annex IV work.

## Primary sources

- [Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX%3A32014L0053&ref=sorena.io) - Binding RED source for Article 17 route selection, Annex III EU-type examination, Annex IV full quality assurance, technical documentation, EU declaration, and CE marking rules.
  - Quote: "Conformity assessment procedures"
- [European Commission - harmonised standards for radio equipment](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/european-standards/harmonised-standards/radio-equipment_en?ref=sorena.io) - Official Commission page for OJEU-published RED harmonised-standard references and the consolidated standards summary list.
  - Quote: "references of harmonised standards"
- [European Commission - notified bodies](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/goods/building-blocks/notified-bodies_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission overview of notified-body role, manufacturer choice, control, and NANDO listing.
  - Quote: "legally designated"
- [European Commission - Radio Equipment Directive](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/radio-equipment-directive-red_en?ref=sorena.io) - Commission RED overview page with RED notified-body link, standardisation context, and warning about unregulated voluntary certificates.
  - Quote: "voluntary certificates"
- [European Commission - RED notified bodies list](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/single-market-compliance-space/notified-bodies/notified-body-list?filter=legislationId:154428,notificationStatusId:1&ref=sorena.io) - Commission RED notified-body list used to verify whether a body is designated for RED tasks.
  - Quote: "Notified bodies relating to the RED"

## Related Topic Guides

- [Are radio kits and evaluation boards covered by the RED? | RED FAQ](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq/kits.md): RED FAQ for radio kits, construction kits, amateur-radio kits, and custom-built professional R&D evaluation boards under Directive 2014/53/EU.
- [EU Radio Equipment Directive Timeline: practical guide](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/timeline.md): EU Radio Equipment Directive guide to Timeline with scope decisions, owner actions, evidence records, source-linked citations, and practical next steps.
- [EU RED Applicability Test for Radio Equipment](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/applicability-test.md): Decide whether Directive 2014/53/EU applies to a connected product, which RED requirements are triggered, and what evidence belongs in the technical file.
- [EU RED Common Charger FAQ: Which devices need USB-C?](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq/common-charger.md): FAQ on EU RED common charger scope, 28 December 2024 and 28 April 2026 dates, USB-C, USB Power Delivery, charger unbundling, labels, pictograms, and evidence.
- [EU RED Common Charger Obligations: USB-C scope, dates, labels](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/common-charger-obligations.md): source-linked RED common charger guide covering in-scope device categories, 28 December 2024 and 28 April 2026 dates, USB-C, USB PD, charger unbundling, labels, pictograms, and evidence.
- [EU RED compliance evidence guide](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/compliance.md): Build a Radio Equipment Directive compliance file with Article 3 requirement mapping, harmonised-standard checks, conformity assessment evidence, EU declarations, CE marking, and RED source links.
- [EU RED Cybersecurity Product Categories: 2022/30 scope](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/cybersecurity-delegated-act-product-categories.md): source-linked guide to RED Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 product categories for Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f), carve-outs, 1 August 2025 application, and release evidence.
- [EU RED FAQ: Scope, CE and USB-C](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq.md): Answers to common EU RED questions on radio equipment scope, Article 3 requirements, cybersecurity, USB-C common charger rules, CE marking, and technical-file evidence.
- [EU RED Radio Equipment Scope: products and exclusions](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/radio-equipment-scope.md): Decide whether a product is radio equipment under Directive 2014/53/EU, with RED scope tests, exclusions, examples, and evidence records.
- [EU RED Requirements Map: CE and Article 3](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/requirements.md): Map Radio Equipment Directive requirements for radio products: Article 3 safety, EMC, spectrum, selected Article 3(3) duties, common charger rules, conformity assessment, CE marking, EU declaration, and technical documentation.
- [EU RED Scope and Classification](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/scope-and-classification.md): Classify products under the EU Radio Equipment Directive with source-linked tests for radio equipment scope, exclusions, Article 3 requirement buckets, cybersecurity, common charging, and evidence records.
- [EU RED Scope Classification Workflow](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/red-scope-classification-workflow.md): Classify products under the EU Radio Equipment Directive with a source-linked workflow for RED scope, exclusions, Article 3 requirements, standards, CE evidence, cybersecurity, and common-charger triggers.
- [RED Article 10 labelling, instructions, and restrictions](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/article-10-labelling-and-restrictions.md): source-linked RED Article 10 guide for radio equipment labels, manufacturer contact details, instructions, DoC statements, frequency information, and use restrictions.
- [RED Article 3 requirement selection workflow](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/article-3-requirement-selection-workflow.md): Select the right RED Article 3 branches for radio equipment: safety, EMC, spectrum, delegated Article 3(3) duties, cybersecurity, common charging, evidence, and conformity assessment.
- [RED Article 3 Requirements: Safety, EMC, Spectrum and Cyber](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/article-3-1-3-2-and-3-3-requirements.md): Map Radio Equipment Directive Article 3(1), 3(2), and 3(3) requirements to safety, EMC, spectrum, interoperability, emergency, software, and cyber evidence.
- [RED Compliance Checklist for Radio Equipment](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/checklist.md): source-linked RED checklist for radio equipment scope, Article 3 requirements, technical documentation, DoC, CE marking, cybersecurity, common charger, and notified-body decisions.
- [RED compliance deadlines calendar: 2016, 2024, 2025 and 2026 dates](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): Calendar the EU Radio Equipment Directive deadlines that affect launches: RED applicability, transition end, common charger dates, cybersecurity requirements, OJEU standards, CE marking, declarations and technical files.
- [RED conformity assessment and CE marking](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/conformity-assessment-and-ce.md): EU Radio Equipment Directive guide to Article 17 conformity modules, notified-body triggers, technical documentation, EU declarations, and CE marking.
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- [RED Cyber Compliance Workflow for Article 3(3)(d/e/f)](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/cyber-compliance-workflow.md): A source-linked RED cybersecurity workflow for internet-connected radio equipment, privacy and data safeguards, payment-fraud features, evidence packs, and CE release gates.
- [RED Cybersecurity Delegated Act Guide | Article 3(3)(d/e/f)](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/red-cybersecurity-delegated-act-guide.md): Practical guide to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 under the Radio Equipment Directive, covering Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f) cybersecurity scope, 1 August 2025 application, evidence, standards, and notified-body checkpoints.
- [RED Cybersecurity Requirements for Radio Equipment](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/cybersecurity-requirements.md): EU RED cybersecurity requirements under Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f): scope, affected radio equipment, application date, standards, notified bodies, and evidence.
- [RED DoC and CE marking file: what to include](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq/doc-and-ce.md): FAQ answer for Radio Equipment Directive declarations of conformity, CE marking evidence, technical documentation, notified-body records, and related labels.
- [RED EMC and LVD Safety Interplay for Radio Equipment](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/emc-and-lvd-safety-interplay.md): Explain how EU RED Article 3 applies LVD safety objectives and EMC requirements to radio equipment, with evidence, test-plan, and technical-file guidance.
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- [RED vs Market Surveillance Regulation: radio equipment compliance roles](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/red-vs-msr.md): Compare RED product conformity duties with EU Market Surveillance Regulation controls for radio equipment, online sales, responsible operators, customs holds, and evidence.
- [RED vs UK PSTI for connected radio products](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/red-vs-uk-psti.md): Compare EU RED duties with UK PSTI planning for connected radio products: scope, actors, evidence, cybersecurity overlap, CE marking, and separate UK product-security workstreams.
- [When do RED cybersecurity requirements apply to connected radio equipment? | RED FAQ](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq/cybersecurity-applicability.md): RED FAQ explaining when Article 3(3)(d), (e), and (f) cybersecurity requirements apply to internet-connected, childcare, toy, wearable, and payment-capable radio equipment.
- [Which receivers and transmitters are covered by RED? | Directive 2014/53/EU FAQ](/artifacts/eu/radio-equipment-directive/faq/receivers-and-transmitters.md): RED scope FAQ for products that intentionally emit or receive radio waves for radio communication or radiodetermination, including receiver-only products, transmitters, accessory-dependent products, and common exclusions.
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