The European Commission proposed to update the Radio Equipment Directive to make sure all market players comply with the rules regarding the avoidance of interference. The Commission also proposes to clarify and simplify the Directive, to facilitate its application and to eliminate unnecessary burden ultimately increasing all stakeholders' confidence in the regulatory framework.

Avoiding interferences so that consumers do not have problems when opening car doors, monitoring their babies or listening to radio, is one of the objectives of the European Commission's proposal to update the Radio Equipment Directive. The Commission also proposes to clarify the directive, in particular clearly spelling out the obligations for every market player, be it manufacturer or importer, and also by limited adaptations of scope; and to simplify the directive, including through suppression of notification of certain products and other administrative obligations. In September 2012, the Commission presented its new plan to foster wireless innovation through sharing of radio spectrum.

The proposal would also introduce some specific requirements, such as ensuring that software can only be used with radio equipment after the compliance of that particular combination of software and the radio equipment has been demonstrated; and interoperability with accessories such as chargers, and/or work via networks with other radio equipment.

The number of mobile devices and wireless applications has grown spectacularly over recent years and continues to show enormous potential for further innovation and expansion. To enable the sector to further expand, the Commission highlights the need to avoid such interference and to ensure that it makes increasingly efficient use of the radio spectrum.