ECE R10 – Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulation is a type approval test for European automotive electronics. It encompasses various tests including RF immunity and emissions, transient immunity and emissions, as well as requirements for surges, fluctuations, harmonics, and vibrations. It provides recommendations and requirements for electric vehicles and applies to vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels (including 2-wheeled, 3-wheeled vehicles), cars, trucks, coaches, etc., as well as motor vehicles and intended separate technical units installed on these vehicles. These are subject to this procedure concerning electromagnetic compatibility.

ECE R10 has replaced Directive 2004/104/EC, which had the ‘mark’. This Regulation introduces ‘E’ type approval applied to the European market and beyond (covering more than 50 countries including Europe, Australia, Japan, the Russian Federation, etc.).

With the increase of sensitive receivers and strong transmitters around vehicles, electromagnetic compatibility in vehicles has become crucial and even mandatory. All electrical/electronic devices within the European Union must adhere to this regulation on electromagnetic compatibility. The scope of the regulation includes:

– Electromagnetic compatibility of L, M, N, and O category vehicles falls within the scope of the EMC Directive.
– It covers the electromagnetic compatibility of parts and separate technical units designed to be installed on these vehicles.
– It includes the elimination of faults propagated and transmitted concerning functions directly related to the control of the vehicle, ensuring the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and other road users, and resolving confusion arising from vehicle data bus functionality and confusion from standard vehicle data.
– It encompasses the control of emitted and transmitted emissions causing unwanted radiation for maintaining the intended use of electric or electronic equipment and controlling malfunctions in subsequently installed accessories.
– It includes additional requirements for vehicles enabling the charging of REESS (Rechargeable Energy Storage Systems) and ESAs (Electric Sub-Assemblies), concerning the control of emissions and exemptions arising from the connection between the vehicle and the power line.

ECE Regulation R10 covers immunity-related requirements against disturbances propagated and transmitted concerning the direct control of the vehicle, driver, passenger, and other road users’ protection. The regulation addresses disturbances that could cause confusion for the driver or other road users regarding the functionality of the vehicle data bus.

Additionally, ECE Regulation R10 addresses requirements for controlling unwanted emitted and transmitted emissions to protect the intended use of electric or electronic equipment from nearby or adjacent vehicles and control faults arising from subsequently installed accessories on the vehicle.