In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission establishes and regulates the requirements for the amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Since January 1, 1996, the European Union (EU) has enforced the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 89/336/EEC, which governs the permissible levels of both EMI and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) emitted by products or the levels they must repel to function acceptably.
Given the constant evolution of requirements and standards for electromagnetic compatibility in enclosures, particularly with the advent of innovative electronics for industrial process control, information processing, and communication equipment, staying abreast of these developments is crucial.
It's worth noting that the physical enclosure itself is not subject to these requirements. However, once electronic equipment is installed within the enclosure, the entire system must comply with the relevant EMI/RFI directives. Shielding and electromagnetic compatibility involve highly specialized terminology.