EN55022 - Why the 1998 version is still in force!

You may, as we are, be puzzled why regulations from 1998 are still in force when perfectly acceptable regulations from 2006 are ready to be used. For the answer to that, we need to take the PLT lobby, a large pile of Grade-A bullplop, a whole load of spin and a gaggle of gullible EU bureaucrats.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2009-2260+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN

2 April 2009

WRITTEN QUESTION by Alejo Vidal-Quadras (PPE-DE) , Fiona Hall (ALDE) , Satu Hassi (Verts/ALE) , Pilar del Castillo Vera (PPE-DE) and Erika Mann (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Standard EN55022 relating to smart grids deployment

Recent amendments to European standard EN55022 throw into jeopardy the future of powerline communications (PLC) technologies by imposing artificially low electromagnetic emissions limits that will make it impossible to place PLC equipment on the EU market from October 2009. PLC technologies enable important applications, including cost-effective smart grid technologies, through their capacity to ensure efficient management of the energy grid, integrate renewable energy sources, and enable sustainable consumer behaviour. Smart grid technology has been endorsed in the EU's Strategic Energy Technology Plan and has a key role to play in helping Member States meet the European Union's 20-20-20 climate change commitments.

What actions is the Commission taking to ensure that the changes to the standard do not disrupt the deployment of powerline communications technologies from October 2009?

Can the Commission confirm that it intends to scrutinise the decision-making process within the relevant CENELEC working group to establish if the decision-making process complies with the requirements for transparency laid down in Directive 98/34/EC(1)?

Does the Commission agree that it would be appropriate to maintain the existing EN55022:1998 standard beyond the expiry date of October 2009 to allow time for all relevant stakeholders to jointly review the impact of the changes introduced in 2006, and for the relevant CENELEC working group, specifically established for that purpose, to run its course?

Does the Commission agree that allowing the EN55022:2006 standard to be the only way of demonstrating product conformity from October 2009 will disproportionately affect PLC technologies at a time when Europe needs all relevant technologies to remain available if the EU is to achieve its climate change commitments, and be competitive in the multibillion Euro smart grid industry?

(1) OJ L 204, 21.7.1998, p. 37.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2009-2260&language=EN

12 June 2009

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

The Commission agrees with the assessment of the Honourable Members that powerline communications (PLC) are a promising technology for a wide range of important applications, as e.g. one of the options to ensure communication of components of a smart grid and that their development should not be unduly hampered.

PLC are subject of the European standard EN 55022 published under the EMC Directive(1). Currently both, its 1998 and 2006 versions can be used. As of October 2009 onwards the 1998 version is foreseen to be withdrawn and the 2006 version will be the only one giving presumption of conformity.

While there was not a significant number of interference cases caused by PLC in the past, the 2006 standards imposes very stringent limits to PLC. However, some new promising networks standards suitable for PLC are developed in the ongoing standardisation process following a Commission mandate to Cenelec to adopt standards for emissions from powerline networks rather than from powerline devices.

Therefore, the Commission will consult Member States and stakeholders in the context of the EMC Directive Working Party of 30 June 2009 on the consequences of the current situation. One of the possible options would be to maintain the 1998 standard for a longer period, pending the final adoption of the new emerging network standards that will be compatible with powerline communications networks. Another option would be to amend the 2006 version in a way to avoid that its limits unduly hamper PLC.

As to the transparency of the procedures in Cenelec the Commission does not have indications, that the processes that have led to the revision were not accessible to all stakeholders but were in line with the requirements of transparency laid down in Directive 98/34/EC(2).

(1) Directive 2004/108/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility and repealing Directive 89/336/EEC OJ L 390, 31.12.2004.

(2) Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations, OJ L 204, 21.7.1998.

Our emphasis. Funny, by our calculations, PLT will burn through more energy than it can possibly hope to save! Not content with destroying the radio spectrum in and around your house, the PLT lobby want to see their "technology" in your fridges, freezers, washing machines, ovens, heating system, and so on, and resurrect Broadband over Power Line (BPL) from the dead. All in the name of "saving the planet".

Further reading: http://www.incompliancemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123

Spectrum

Page updated: 4th May 2011

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EN55022 - Why the 1998 version is still in force!