TB SiteMapbreadcrumb separatorERMbreadcrumb separatorERM ToR

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

 Approved at Board#101, February 2015 

1            Responsibility:

The main responsibilities of ETSI TC ERM are:

  • co-ordination of ETSI positions on an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility 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;
  • a range of ETSI deliverables dealing with radio equipment and systems where they are not undertaken by other ETSI groups;

Such ETSI deliverables may include harmonised standards intended to be used for regulatory purposes.

2            Areas of activity:

The activities of ETSI 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 used to describe the electromagnetic and/or 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 Bodies;
    • Provision of a centre of technical expertise in the radio and EMC fields within ETSI, able to offer advice to ETSI Technical Bodies, 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 Task 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 (joint with TC AERO) – Automotive and Surveillance Radar – Broadcast and ancillary communications – Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) including Private Mobile Radio (PMR) – Generic Short Range Devices including avalanche beacons, inductive data communications, wireless power transfer, Low Throughput Networks – IMT-family (joint with TC MSG) – Internet of Things (IoT) – Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) – Intelligent transport systems including transport & traffic telematics – Maritime and Radio Amateur – Reconfigurable Radio Systems (joint with TC RRS) – Medical devices – Wideband data systems – Ultra Wide Band (UWB) – Wireless Industrial Applications.

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

3            Organisation and working methods:

  • ETSI TC ERM shall work in accordance with the ETSI Directives and, in particular, the Technical Working Procedures. Therefore ETSI TC ERM has organised itself following the principles of ‘delayering’ by the creation of two permanent horizontal Working Groups; ERM WGRM (Radio Matters) and ERM WGEMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) together with a range of vertical Task Groups designated to undertake a specific task related to radio standardisation activities, as indicated above, and when the task is completed to enter a dormant mode or be disbanded as appropriate.
  • ETSI TC ERM shall provide progress reports to the ETSI Board and OCG as requested.

4            Participation:

  • Participation in ETSI 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 Chairman in line with clause 1.4 of the Technical Working Procedures.

5            Collaboration with other bodies (both inside and outside ETSI):

  • ETSI TC ERM is the formal interface in respect of radio spectrum and electromagnetic compatibility between the ETSI technical organization and EC/EFTA, including RSCOM and RSPG; other bodies in the radio and EMC field, notably the 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 ETSI TC ERM, as well as a regular meeting between CEPT/ECC and ETSI officials.
  • Co-operation with CEN/CENELEC, as well as IEC - for EMC work items and specifically mandated activities, joint groups will be established where appropriate. Same applies for ETSI Observers to specific CEN/CENELEC/IEC groups.
For specific radio activities in the area of telecommunication an exchange of information, based on the ITU MoU, is foreseen by the appointed ETSI Observers to ITU