Product type
Industrial sensors & IIoT: which EU regulations apply
e.g. LoRaWAN environmental sensors, vibration monitors, PLC-connected gateways
Devices for industrial and infrastructure use — often long-lived, sometimes wired rather than wireless, and deployed in demanding environments.
Regulations that typically apply
- EMCmandatory
Electromagnetic-compatibility requirements apply to all electronics — under the EMC Directive for wired equipment, or folded into the RED for wireless sensors.
Open reference → - RoHSmandatory
It is electrical and electronic equipment.
Open reference → - CRAusually
Connected sensors with firmware are products with digital elements.
Open reference → - REDconditional
Applies when the sensor transmits wirelessly (LoRaWAN, cellular, BLE); wired-only sensors fall outside RED.
Open reference → - LVDconditional
Applies when mains-powered within the LVD voltage range; PoE at ~48 V sits below the LVD floor, so PoE-only devices are typically outside it.
Open reference → - GDPRconditional
Applies only if the sensor data can identify a person; most process-telemetry does not.
Open reference →
A starting map, not a binding assessment — applicability depends on your product’s exact features and target markets.
What’s different about compliance here
Industrial sensors are frequently wired, so RED may not apply at all — but their long deployment life makes the CRA vulnerability-handling and update obligations the harder commitment to plan for. Equipment intended for potentially explosive atmospheres additionally falls under ATEX, and a sensor built into machinery may be pulled into the Machinery Regulation through that assembly.
Full guide
From the Library
Check your specific product