The general requirements for the design of electrical appliances are based on the statutes and standards concerning electrical appliances. The EU Low Voltage Directive and the EMC Directive are the key directives applied, but the RoHS Directive, the Directives on Energy Labelling and in future also other Directives aimed at protecting the environment may also become applicable. The design stage is crucial to product safety, as less of an impact on safety is made at subsequent stages.
Manufacturers have primary responsibility for the conformity of electrical appliances. Manufacturers are the individuals or organisations responsible for the planning, manufacture, testing and inspection of electrical appliances or the electrical system as a whole, with the aim of creating a final product that is safe to use. Manufacturers may subcontract one or more of the tasks mentioned above at their own risk.
Tukes advises and supervises Finnish manufacturers. However, as most manufacturers of electrical appliances are international actors, Tukes has relatively few activities targeting manufacturers directly. Nevertheless, utilisation of the reactive instruments of market surveillance often recalls products from the retail market back to this stage. The clearest form of influence at the design and manufacture stage is the national and international cooperation in which Tukes engages. Through cooperation, Tukes is able to influence the content of binding statutes and voluntary standards.