Reference layouts and CE certification

[Salvador Sancha]

Hi

Is it necessary to certify a new product for CE compliance if we use a reference layout as a base for our design? In particular, we want to design a USB dongle using the nRF24LU1+.

Many thanks

Salvador

[Eric Stutzenberger]

Hi Salvador,

Yes, you will still have to certify for CE compliance. A reference design is simply a reference for how to put down the chip on your design. If you want to avoid performing your own certification, you'll have to use a pre-certified module which already has CE compliance.

Hope this helps,

Eric

[Gustavo - Argenox]

Hi Salvador,

Reusing a reference design for CE compliance can work, but you would have to use the exact same design, exact substrate, stackup etc. In many cases it's not practicable because there are differences. It sometimes falls in a gray area. You could self declare but that could be dangerous if there are issues of the design (and the design never was checked for CE). Ultimately it's almost always best to certify to avoid issues.

If you're looking to have a design certified, we have experience and can help you get it done. We help customers certify modules and products. Feel free to get in touch [email protected]

Regards, Gustavo

[Salvador Sancha]

Thank you for your answers. That's what I thought: reusing the reference design would necessarily imply modifying the layout to some extent, so it makes sense that the original certification is no longer valid.

We plan to manufacture a small batch, so we will probably use a pre-certified module.

Regards

Salvador