German Federal Network Agency sanctions over 15 million defective products in 2022

In 2022, the German Federal Network Agency sanctioned more than 15 million products that did not comply with legal requirements and may cause radio interference or had significant defects. As the market surveillance authority, it monitors compliance with the directives on electromagnetic compatibility and on radio equipment for the German market.

In the area of EMC, the number of products objected to in 2022 rose from 43 percent in the previous year to just under 60 percent (corresponding to 1,332 products). Of the 1,332 products, 743 products were not in order from a formal point of view and 535 products were not in order from a metrological point of view.

In the area of RED, as many as 70 percent of the nearly 2,000 products were not in order in 2022. In the previous year, the proportion was still 63 percent.

In online retail, 6 million devices were found to have formal defects. These include:

• Incorrect CE markings
• Missing German operating instructions
• Lack of a responsible European contact person

Of particular concern were approximately 2 million devices, such as handheld transmitters or radio remote controls, which were found to have unauthorized frequency use in military frequency ranges. In the previous year, there were 7.7 million radio headsets that had attracted attention due to unauthorized use of frequencies, among other things.

In the retail sector, 23 sales bans were issued and 1,145 orders to remedy defects were issued; of these, 1.72 million devices were affected.  Battery chargers were particularly conspicuous here.

Another increase concerned products reported by customs (over 50 percent, from 320,000 to 720,000). Of the 720,000 products, 91 percent did not receive European market approval.

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