M/452 - Safety of music players

Purpose

This mandate aims to develop harmonised standards addressing health and safety aspects related to personal music players and mobile phones with music playing functions. It specifically supports the implementation of the Directives 1999/5/EC (Radio Equipment Directive), 2006/95/EC (Low Voltage Directive), and 2001/95/EC (General Product Safety Directive), ensuring that such devices meet common safety requirements to protect consumers.

Standardisation request

The mandate requests the European standardisation organisations CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI to collaborate in preparing standards focused on:

• Health and safety requirements for personal music players
• Health and safety aspects of mobile phones featuring music playing capabilities

These standards should comprehensively cover relevant product safety and electromagnetic compatibility issues related to these devices under the scope of the referenced EU directives.

Expected deliverables

• Harmonised European standards that support conformity assessment of personal music players and mobile phones with music playing functions
• Standards addressing electrical safety under the Low Voltage Directive
• Standards covering radio and telecommunications equipment safety and EMC under the Radio Equipment Directive
• Additional specifications to fulfill the General Product Safety Directive concerns for these product categories

These deliverables will facilitate manufacturers' compliance with EU laws and ensure consistent safety benchmarks across the internal market.

Context

With the widespread use of personal music players and multifunctional mobile phones, concerns about potential health risks and safety hazards have increased. This mandate supports the EU’s regulatory framework by encouraging the development of harmonised standards that help reduce risks such as hearing damage, electrical hazards, and electromagnetic interference associated with these consumer products. The collaboration among standardisation bodies ensures a coherent approach to safety addressing technological and market developments.