Explanatory note

These Regulations implement Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity.

Regulation 3 applies the Regulations to all radio or telecommunications terminal equipment (“RTTE equipment”) except for apparatus covered by certain other Directives or Regulations, apparatus used for purposes of public security, defence or criminal enforcement and equipment specified in Schedule 1.

Regulation 4 prescribes the essential requirements that must be satisfied by RTTE equipment.

Regulation 5 prohibits RTTE equipment from being placed on the market or put into service until certain provisions have been complied with, except where it is for export, reprocessing or display at a trade fair (regulation 6), where public telecommunication operators to refuse connection in order to protect the network (regulation 7) or where, during a one-year transitional period, it complies with the provisions being superseded by these Regulations (regulation 8).

Regulations 9 to 13 provide for conformity assessment, CE marking, accompanying information, notices to the Secretary of State and publication of information.

Regulations 14 to 16 provide for notified bodies to carry out conformity assessment and for their fees.

Regulation 17 modifies existing telecommunication licences in compliance with the Directive.

Regulations 18 to 23 provide for enforcement.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment is available and can be obtained from Communications and Information Industries Directorate, Department of Trade and Industry, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS.