There are a number of issues to consider when doing business in the international market, particularly Europe.

Voltage Issues
Main voltages vary from country to country as detailed on the International Voltage Chart. Call E.D.S. for assistance should a specific country not be listed on the chart.


Approval Issues

All E.D.S. products designed for 220-240 volt operation can be marked with the CE logo indicating compliance with the Low Voltage Directive. The CE mark has eliminated the need to certify a product in every country since this certification is recognized throughout Europe. It should be noted that the Low Voltage Directive is only one of 13 directives. Other directives, like the Medical Device Directive or the EMC Directive, may apply to your product and should be considered when marketing in Europe. (Reference New Approach Directives)
 
Mechanical Issues
Most companies quickly realize that attempting to ship a single power supply/battery charger overseas can be a challenge because of the various input plug configurations, as detailed on the International Voltage Chart. Several common approaches to address this issue are:
1) Desk Top Unit with IEC Inlet (Example)
This configuration allows the use of a single overseas unit in countries with similar voltage/frequency ratings.
2) Wall Plug-In Unit (Example)
E.D.S. can supply direct wall plug-in units that will mate with the various mains style receptacles throughout Europe. Because of the various receptacles, a client using a wall plug-in unit to supply the overseas market will require more than a single unit.
 
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Last updated: 01 08 07