EMC testing standards

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing ensures that electronic devices operate without causing or being affected by electromagnetic interference. Whether you're developing a mobile device, automotive component, military equipment or even a simple table lamp, your product must meet the EMC requirements set by standardization organizations such as IEC, CISPR, ISO, IEEE, CENELEC, ETSI, FCC, ANSI, RTCA and the MIL-STD committee.

For over fifty years, Rohde & Schwarz has been at the forefront of EMC testing. Our EMC experts are active members of standard-defining committees. We collaborate closely with standardization organizations to ensure that EMC standards are accurately implemented in the products we develop.

This page has updated information on three major standardization organizations: CISPR, IEC and ISO.

Testing for CISPR standards

Let’s begin with CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference). CISPR is a key organization within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on developing and maintaining EMC standards. It plays a vital role in ensuring that electronic devices and systems operate without causing or being susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can disrupt the functionality of electronic equipment and communications.

CISPR has developed numerous standards covering a wide range of electronic devices and applications. Some of the most prominent ones include:

CISPR 11: emission measurement requirements for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment
CISPR 12: emission measurement requirements for road vehicles, boats and devices with internal combustion engines or traction batteries for the protection of off-board receivers
CISPR 14-1: emission measurement requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus
CISPR 14-2: immunity testing requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus
CISPR 15: emission measurement requirements for electrical lighting and similar equipment
CISPR: 16: basic standard specification for emission and immunity measuring apparatus and measurement methods
CISPR 25: emission measurement requirements for road vehicles, boats and devices with internal combustion engines or traction batteries for the protection of on-board receivers
CISPR 32: emission measurement requirements for multimedia equipment such as computers, monitors and printers
CISPR 35: immunity testing requirements for multimedia equipment such as computers, monitors and printers to ensure reliable operation
CISPR 36: emission measurement requirements for electric and hybrid electric road vehicles for the protection of off-board receivers below 30 MHz

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with CISPR standards.

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Meet our CISPR standards expert

Jens Medler, Product Manager for EMI Test Equipment

Jens has been working for Rohde & Schwarz since 1996, managing standardization and application support of EMI test receivers and accessories. He is a senior member of the IEEE EMC Society and vice chair of the IEEE EMC Standards Development and Education Committee. He is active in multiple CISPR subcommittees:

CIS/A: EMC measurement instrumentation and methods
CIS/D: Equipment for vehicles
CIS/I: Information technology

Since 2017, he has been a convener of CIS/A WG2, focusing on EMC measurement methods, statistical techniques and uncertainty. Jens is a recipient of the IEC 1906 Award.

Expert insights into CISPR standards

Learn what’s new in CISPR 11

Webinar: Latest developments in CISPR Automotive EMI standards

Learn what’s new in CISPR 12

Learn what’s new in CISPR 14-1

Learn what’s new in CISPR 15

Learn what’s new in CISPR 25

Learn what’s new in CISPR 32

Testing for IEC standards

The parent organization of CISPR is International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): the global leader in publishing consensus-based international standards that manages conformity assessment systems for electrotechnology. IEC publications serve as a basis for national standards and as a reference when drafting international tenders and contracts.

Standards like IEC 61000 ensure electromagnetic compatibility, fostering reliable and interoperable electronic systems worldwide. IEC Technical Committee 77 (TC77) prepares EMC standards and technical reports, with a focus on general application and use by product committees. It has three horizontal functions:

To give guidance on the selection and application of immunity tests
To prepare and maintain the generic immunity standards
Specifies EMC requirements that are relevant for safety

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with IEC standards.

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Meet our IEC standards expert

Dr. Ralf Heinrich, Product Manager for RF Power Amplifiers

For over 20 years, Ralf has been an active member of several international IEC and national DKE working groups in radiated and conducted immunity. He was awarded the IEC 1906 award in recognition of his technical contributions to basic EMC immunity standards as applied to RF fields.

Expert insights into IEC standards

IEC 61000-4-41 Broadband radiated immunity tests

Testing for ISO standards

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is another organization that develops a wide array of standards across industries to promote international trade and ensure product safety. ISO recognizes IEC standards and vice versa, helping to create a cohesive global standardization landscape. The two organizations harmonize their standards to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure consistency.

When it comes to EMC, ISO is prominently involved in specific sectors, with a significant focus on the automotive industry. EMC standards for the automotive industry are constantly changing, driven by new requirements, applications and technologies. Key ISO EMC standards for automotive applications include:

ISO 11452 series: ensures immunity of automotive electronic components to radiated electromagnetic fields
ISO 7637 series: addresses electrical disturbances from conduction and coupling on vehicles buses
ISO 10605: specifies testing methods for electrical disturbances from electrostatic discharge (ESD) in vehicles

These standards ensure that automotive electronics, such as infotainment systems, sensors and control units, operate reliably in real-world driving conditions.

While ISO EMC standards are focused on the automotive sector, it also addresses EMC requirements in other industries through specialized standards or by collaborating with other standardization bodies like IEC.

Reach out to learn more about how we can help you comply with ISO standards.

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Meet our ISO standards expert

Reiner Goetz, Product Manager for EMC Software

Reiner has been working at Rohde & Schwarz for more than 20 years. As a product manager for EMC test and automation software products, Reiner works with engineers to design automotive turnkey test systems according to ISO standards. He is well-versed in the requirements and challenges that test laboratories and engineers encounter during EMC testing.

Expert insights into ISO standards

An overview of ISO immunity test standards for automotive EMC

An overview of automotive EMC standards covering UN ECE R10, ISO 11451 and ISO 11452 updates

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