The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) affects all electrical equipment designed for use with a voltage rating of between 50 – 1000 V for alternating current and between 75 – 1000 V for direct current.

Electrical equipment are for example generators, transformers, luminaries, household appliances, engines, i.e. all appliances and equipment designed to generate, conduct, distribute, store, transform or consume electric energy.

According to Directive 73/23/EWG, binding regulations have been in effect since the 1970s.  This directive was published and referred to as the (German) Product Safety Law, the first decree to the “Act on Technical Work Equipment”, and has been legally binding since then. Selling of electrical equipment without CE marking is prohibited in the European Union since January 01, 1997. An amended version of the Low Voltage Directive, titled 2006/95/EG has been released on December 27, 2006. If a product satisfies all safety objectives as listed in the Low Voltage Directive, the CE marking of conformity must be affixed to the product. Generally that means compliance with technical regulations as mentioned in a harmonized standard.