Terms of Reference for Technical Committee (TC) EMC and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM)

 Approved/Revised at Board#157, Date: March 2026  

Scope

The main objectives of TC ERM are:

• Co-ordination of ETSI positions on an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and an effective and efficient use of radio spectrum;
• ETSI deliverables (in whole or in part) dealing with EMC;
• ETSI deliverables (in whole or in part) dealing with radio spectrum parameters concerned with inter-system characteristics;
• ETSI deliverables dealing with radio equipment and systems where they are not undertaken by other ETSI Technical Groups;

Such ETSI deliverables may include Harmonised Standards intended to be used for regulatory purposes.

Areas of activity

The activities of TC ERM include the following broad areas:

• Horizontal areas of work across ETSI, as
  • Studies of the EMC and radio parameters and their methods of measurement - taking due account of the work in the international community and specifically IEC and ITU;
  • Preparation of ETSI deliverables as required by ETSI members or those to support mandated work from the EC/EFTA in support of EU Directives or as requested by CEPT ECC;
  • Preparation of ETSI deliverables, including harmonised standards with requirements related to the electromagnetic environment and harmonised standards with requirements related to the radio environment;
  • Co-ordination of ETSI positions on the effective and efficient use of the radio spectrum and the administration of the MoU between CEPT ECC and ETSI. These activities will be carried out in close co-operation with relevant ETSI Technical Groups;
  • Provision of a centre of technical expertise in the radio and EMC fields within ETSI, able to offer advice to ETSI Technical Groups, the ETSI Board and the ETSI General Assembly.
     
• Vertical project orientated activities, as
  • Designated parent body for project oriented (vertical) radio standardisation activities, to provide ETSI, via designated Working Groups, with a range of deliverables for sundry radio equipment and systems;
  • Designated host for radio project activities that have entered their maintenance phase.

A non-exhaustive activity list of (vertical) radio standardisation activities includes: aeronautical Air Traffic Management (ATM) equipment– automotive and surveillance radar – broadcast and ancillary communications – Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) including Private Mobile Radio (PMR) – generic Short Range Devices (SRD) including avalanche beacons, inductive data communications, wireless power transfer, low throughput networks – IMT equipment (joint with TC MSG) – Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) – Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) including transport & traffic telematics – maritime and radio amateur equipment – medical devices – wideband data transmission systems (joint with TC BRAN) – Ultra Wide Band (UWB).

All TC ERM activities have a common theme of electromagnetic and/or radio spectrum compatibility.

Organisation

TC ERM works in accordance with the ETSI Directives and, in particular, the Technical Working Procedures. TC ERM has organised itself following the principles of ‘delayering’ by the creation of two horizontal Working Groups (WGs) - TC ERM WG RM (Radio Matters) and TC ERM WG EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility) - together with a range of vertical WGs designated to undertake a specific task related to radio standardisation activities, as indicated above.
TC ERM provides progress reports to the ETSI Board and OCG as requested.
Participation in TC ERM is open to all ETSI members in accordance with the Technical Working Procedures. Observers and non-members may participate at the discretion of the Chair in line with clause 1.4 of the Technical Working Procedures.

Annex (informative): Collaboration with other bodies

TC ERM is the formal interface in respect of radio spectrum and electromagnetic compatibility between the ETSI technical organisation and EC/EFTA, including RSCOM and RSPG, other bodies in the radio and EMC field, notably CEPT ECC, relevant CEN and CENELEC committees, EUROCAE and EBU, relevant ICAO and ITU groups, IEC and CISPR.

For work items of a radio spectrum and/or regulatory nature subject to the CEPT/ETSI MoU, joint groups with CEPT ECC and its Working Groups are planned if needed to facilitate the necessary coordination. A permanent exchange of information is established by ETSI Liaison Officers to CEPT ECC and a permanent CEPT ECC representative within TC ERM, as well as a regular meeting between CEPT ECC and ETSI officials.
For EMC work items and, specifically, mandated activities, co-operation with CEN/CENELEC as well as IEC will be established, based on the respective partnership agreement, including joint groups where appropriate. TC ERM may appoint ETSI Observers to specific CEN/CENELEC/IEC groups. TC ERM may also nominate participants in CEN/CENELEC/IEC meetings representing ETSI. The rules of CEN, CENELEC and IEC for meeting registration apply.

For specific radio activities in the area of telecommunication, an exchange of information with ITU, based on the MoU, is foreseen. TC ERM may appoint ETSI Observers to specific ITU groups. TC ERM may also nominate participants in ITU meetings representing ETSI. ITU rules for meeting registration apply.