Lithuania Amends Technical Regulations for Radio Equipment

This blog was originally posted on 18th October, 2023. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

AUTHORED BY CONOR O’DONOGHUE, REGULATORY ANALYST, COMPLIANCE & RISKS

On 29 September 2023, the Communications Regulatory Authority published Resolution No. TN-466 which amends Order No. IV-670 of 2016 on Approving Technical Regulations for Radio Equipment. The aim of the amendment is to implement the following amendments to the EU Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU):

Regulation (EU) 2023/1717 on technical specifications for the charging receptacle and charging communication protocol for wired charging of radio equipment; and
Directive (EU) 2022/2380 on the making available on the market of a common charger for electronic devices.

Resolution Amendments

A new Article 6(1) states that radio equipment of the categories or classes referred to in Chapter I of Annex 7 shall be constructed in such a way that they comply with the specifications of the relevant category or class of radio equipment set out in Annex 7 in relation to charging capabilities.

Article 7.1.1 stipulates that radio communication devices must interact with auxiliary devices, with the exception of charging devices for radio communication devices of the categories or classes referred to in Chapter I of Annex 7, which shall be subject to Article 6(1) above.

A newly added Article 9(1) establishes that economic operators who offer consumers and other end-users radio communication devices specified in Article 6(1) together with a charging device must make it possible for consumers and other end-users to purchase those radio communication devices without a charging device.

Furthermore, when the manufacturer supplies the radio communication devices specified in Article 6(1) to consumers and other end users, the label must be printed in the manual of the radio communication device and on its packaging or attached to the packaging of the radio communication device as a sticker. If the package is not used, the sticker with the label must be attached to the radio communication device. The label must be visible and legible, and in the case of distance sales – displayed next to the price of the radio communication device. The label may be printed as a separate document attached to the radio communication device, only if otherwise impossible due to the size or nature of the radio communication device.

Similar requirements to those specified in the above paragraph are also outlined for importers and distributors.

The Order is also supplemented with a new Annex 7. It concerns specifications and information relating to charging applicable to certain categories or classes of radio equipment. Point 1 of this Annex states that the requirements specified in points 2 and 3 of this Annex apply to radio communication devices of the following categories or classes:

Portable mobile phones;
Tablet computers;
Digital cameras and video cameras;
Headphones;
Headphones with a build-in microphone;
Portable video game consoles;
Portable speakers;
e-Readers;
Keyboards;
Mice;
Portable navigation systems;
Wireless headphones; and
Laptops.

The technical requirements outlined in the Annex relate to: load capacity; information on charging capacity specifications and compatible charging devices; the icon indicating whether the radio is sold with a charger; and the label contents and format.

This Resolution entered into force on 30 September 2023.