The Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Fluorescent Lighting Apparatus) Regulations 1978

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations (except Regulation 5) implement Council Directive No. 76/890/EEC relating to the suppression of radio interference with regard to fluorescent lighting apparatus and apply to any luminaire which is fitted with a starter and which forms, or is designed to form, part of such apparatus.

Regulation 4(1) provides that the requirements of Regulation 6 shall be complied with in the case of any luminaire which is placed on the market other than a luminaire which bears, or has affixed to it a label which bears, a statement that it is unsuppressed and designed for use in non-residential areas. Regulation 4(2) provides that in the case of a luminaire which is required by virtue of Regulation 4(1) to comply with the requirements of Regulation 6 there shall be a statement, either on the luminaire or in an accompanying document, to the effect that the luminaire complies with those requirements. However the proviso to Regulation 4(2) provides that such a statement shall not be required if use is made of a mark or certificate issued by a body which is notified in accordance with Article 3.2 of the Directive.

Regulation 5 provides that the requirements of Regulation 6 shall be complied with in the case of any fluorescent lighting apparatus used within 15 metres of residential accommodation of any kind unless it is isolated from the electrical supply to the residential accommodation by a transformer or like apparatus or unless the luminaire complies with the requirements of Regulation 6 at the date of its manufacture, assembly or importation and is maintained in reasonable working order and the fluorescent lighting apparatus is not likely to cause interference with wireless telegraphy used for safety of life services or connected purposes, or unless the fluorescent lighting apparatus was placed on the market before these Regulations came into force by any person who in the course of business manufactures, assembles or imports such apparatus and the apparatus is not likely to cause interference with wireless telegraphy.

Regulation 6 provides that the requirements to be complied with are the relevant requirements prescribed by British Standard Specification BS 5394: Part I: 1976.

A person who fails to comply with the requirements of these Regulations may be served with a notice under section 11 or 12 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and any person who contravenes the provisions of such a notice is guilty of an offence under that Act.