1. Laboratory overview
In 1966 the Hellenic Electro-technical Union (EHE) was founded under the initiative of Public Electricity Corporation (DEH) and the support of other associations (OTE, SEB, TEE), individual industrial enterprises (VIOHALCO, IZOLA, EVIOP-TEMPO, FULGOR) and the academic community. The objective of this foundation was the development of National Standardization in our Country in the electro- technical field, the national participation to the international standardization organizations and the granting of approval marks for items fulfilling the EHE specifications. In 1978, after the establishment of ELOT, all the EHE responsibilities, including the Low Voltage Laboratory, came under the umbrella of ELOT, in order for the State to acquire the necessary laboratory infrastructure for entering to the European Union (EU).
In 1994 the Low Voltage Laboratory after having become a signatory to the CENELEC Certification Agreement, and also an IEC Certification Body (IECEE CB-Scheme), it was recognized as the only Hellenic Laboratory participated in these agreements. This participation means that the test reports issued by ELOT and the ELOT approval mark are recognized mutually by more than 80 countries participating on the above mention agreements, thus obviating the need to repeat the tests or the Certification procedure.
At the ELOT Low Voltage Laboratory, tests are carried out on electric household appliances, luminaires and plugs and socket-outlets according to national/ European/ international standards. The Low Voltage Laboratory is based in Athens, in an area of 1.100 m2 together with the Toys Safety Laboratory and the Cables Testing Laboratory. It is equipped with modern instruments of high technology and accuracy, which are systematically calibrated. The equipment is being continuously upgraded and adjusted to the new editions of the testing standards.
The Ministry of Development uses the services of Laboratory for market surveillance activities, carried out under the Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC) and the National Legislation for plugs and socket-outlets.
The Laboratory is accredited by the National Accreditation System (ESYD), Certificate Nr. 218, according to the standard ELOT EN ISO/IEC 17025-2005, demonstrating officially that it fulfills all essential conditions (independence, confidentiality, impartiality, and technical competence) for valid and reliable test results.
2. Provided Services
1. Carrying out tests according to National standards (ELOT), European standards (EN), International standards (IEC).
2. Issue of Test Reports which prove the safety of electro-technical products, according to the valid Legislation.
3. Carrying out “type-testing” and “re-testing” for Certification purposes.
4. Conducting tests for market surveillance.
5. Providing technical assistance and information:
• for preparing the technical file for CE marking
• for compliance of produced products to the applicable standards
• for equipment necessary for routine tests
• for the upcoming modifications of the standards and improvements to be made to existing products according to the available information of the ELOT standardizers by their participation in the European/international standardisation bodies meetings, as well as in the European/international laboratorial committees.
3. Capabilities of the Laboratory
In the Low Voltage Laboratory tests are carried out for electric household appliances according to the standard series EN 60335, for luminaires according to the standard series EN 60598 and for plugs/socket-outlets according to the standard ELOT 1413-1 (IEC 60884-1) and others.
Tests are carried out on a representative sample of each type of product and the issued Test Report concerns only the tested item and not the entire production of that type. ELOT has developed a Certification system for granting safety approval mark, which refers to the entire production of the tested type. The approval mark is stamped on the marking plate of the product, it can be advertised and it is an international passport for the product. The Certification Body re-assesses the certified products, making annual inspection to the factory and sampling of product for retesting. The certification of products is voluntary except for plugs and socket-outlets where it is obligatory according to National Legislation (FEK B΄ 67/28-01-2000).
4. Regulatory Framework
The regulatory framework, related to the electrotechnical products operated in defined Voltage limits (75V to 1000Vac and 75V to 1500Vdc), is referred in the Directive 2006/95/EC (December 2006). According to the Directive, manufacturers producing electrotechnical products are obliged to put on the marking plate of the product the CE marking under their responsibility.
For affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer has to prepare a technical file with all necessary documents regarding the safety of the product. In particular the file must contain:
a) Detailed technical prescription of the product, referring the technical data of the components and composition of insulating parts.
b) Constructional drawings of the product, photos, electric diagram and complete list of components.
c) Test reports for safety and for electromagnetic compatibility (if applicable), according to relevant European standards.
d) Declaration of Conformity signed and stamped by the manufacturer.
e) One instruction manual, a marking plate and certificates of components shall be included in the file.
The technical file is kept by the manufacturer at the manufacturing location and it must be presented on request to the Authorities.
Plugs and socket-outlets in particular are exempted from the Low Voltage Directive and they must comply with National Legislation YA 529/FEK 67/B/28-01-2000 as it is modified by YA 4822/FEK 352/B/17-03-2000. This defines that plugs and socket-outlets must be certified by a recognized European Certification Body, according to the standard ELOT 1413-1 (IEC 60884-1).
5. Advantages of Cooperation with Low Voltage Laboratory
1. Cooperation with the oldest Electric Laboratory in Greece, which is assessed by National, European and International bodies in the field of CENELEC-CCA and IECEE CB-Scheme Agreements.
2. Long-term experience in electric items testing.
3. Scientific collaboration with experienced and specifically trained personnel.
4. Cooperation with European/International bodies.
5. Participation in international inter-laboratory testing.
6. Valid information on the latest developments in the sectors of Standardization /Quality /Safety.
7. Use, in other countries, of our Test Reports issued in Hellenic/English version.
8. Granting of (Safety) Approval Mark, which is a guarantee and a European/International passport for the national products.
9. Issue of Test Reports officially recognized by the Authorities and European/International Certification Bodies.
6. Procedure for Testing
1. Submission of a complete sample for each type of product one is interested in testing.
2. Completion of an application form provided by the Laboratory or available electronically at the ELOT web page (www.elot.gr).
3. Payment of testing fees at ELOT Accounting Dept. (Acharnon 313- 3rd floor/Mo-Fr. 09.00-13.00) or through the ELOT banking account NATIONAL BANK OF GREECE 134/507000-78 (deposit proof must be sent by fax to the Low Voltage Laboratory).
4. Carrying out of tests / issue of Test Report.
5. Submission to the Laboratory a copy of constructional drawings of the tested sample.
6. Issuing and sending of Test Report or “EC type” examination certificate to the applicant.