EU directive
Low Voltage Directive (LVD) – 2014/35/EU
Background
Safety of electrical equipment
LVD covers electrical equipment designed for 50–1,000 V AC or 75–1,500 V DC, subject to stated exclusions. It protects people, domestic animals, and property against electrical and other safety risks.
Scope
Manufacturers and importers of electrical equipment
Businesses manufacturing or importing mains-powered and other equipment within the voltage limits need to assess LVD. Products under RED address equivalent safety objectives through RED and should not be double-declared under LVD.
Requirements
Safety objectives and technical evidence
The manufacturer identifies hazards, designs the product safely, performs conformity assessment, and compiles technical documentation. Harmonised standards can provide presumption of conformity, but their use is voluntary and the correct edition must be verified.
Timeline
An established but living framework
LVD has applied since 20 April 2016. The Directive is stable, but harmonised-standard references and transition dates change. Product modifications may also trigger a new assessment.
Compliance
The manufacturer carries the safety responsibility
Non-compliance can lead to sales restrictions, corrective action, recall, and product liability. A test-report number without a clear link to the correct product variant and standard edition is not sufficient evidence.
Action plan
Build a complete LVD file
- Confirm voltage, scope, and exclusions
- Document risk assessment and safety objectives
- Select and verify standard editions
- Plan testing for actual product variants
- Collect drawings, component data, and reports
- Issue the EU declaration and check CE marking
Verca
Traceable electrical-safety documentation
Verca brings product versions, selected LVD requirements, standards, test reports, and the EU declaration into one workflow. The technical and legal compliance decision remains with the manufacturer.