eSafety Compendium

The 24 GHz range radio spectrum band is made available for automotive short-range radarequipment on a non-protected basis. This means that no claim may be made for protectionfrom harmful interference received from other systems or services operating in that band.(4) Elements of the Commission DecisionBased on the technical conditions recommended by CEPT in its report of 9 July 2004 to theEuropean Commission under the mandate of 5 August 2003, the Decision, intends to:• harmonise conditions for temporary usage of 24 GHz for SRR and for co-existencebetween SRR and other 24 GHz users;• set a Reference Date by which time the harmonised use of 24 GHz would no longer beallowed for new SRR devices to be put on the market- while leaving the existing 24 GHzequipment unaffected. This gives the relevant target date for the development of the 79GHz long term solution;• define the modalities required to monitor penetration of 24 GHz SRR in the EU; theCommission and RSC are to undertake a reviewing process, notably to ensure that theevolution of the SRR market will not or will most likely not cause harmful interference.At any moment, where justified to avoid harmful interference to protected radio services, theCommission may propose a new Decision to the Radio Spectrum Committee to anticipate theReference Date and thus to terminate putting on the market 24 GHz SRR.(5) Closure of the 24 GHz band to automotive SRR from the Reference DateClosing the 24 GHz band from the Reference Date will be legally ensured in three ways:From the radio spectrum point of view: article 3 of the Commission Decision stipulates:“The 24 GHz range radio spectrum band shall remain so available until the Reference Date,subject to the provisions of Article 5. After that date, the 24 GHz range radio spectrum bandshall cease to be available for automotive short-range radar equipment mounted on anyvehicle except where that equipment was originally installed, or is replacing equipment soinstalled, in a vehicle registered, placed on the market or put into service before that date inthe Community.”Therefore, once the period defined by the Reference Date is concluded, Member States willbe required to take all necessary actions to ensure the band is closed for the operation of newautomotive SRR systems anywhere in the EU. Failure to do so would be an infringement ofthe Commission Decision. The Commission will encourage exchange of information on theprocedures implemented in Members States in order to ensure that the necessary measureswill be adopted on time.While the Reference Date is specified in Art.3 of the 24 GHz Decision to be subject toprovisions of Art. 5 of the 24 GHz Decision, this is not to be interpreted as a means for thedate to be postponed, as well as being brought forward, but rather to emphasise that the use ofSRR in the 24 GHz band is predicated on the continued absence of harmful interference.From the equipment point of view: SRR systems that are placed on the market integratedwithin vehicles are radio equipment in the sense of the R&TTE Directive. The avoidance of4