DAB+ is a digital audio broadcasting upgrade – based on ETSI EN 300 401 – using HE‑AAC v2 audio coding. Compared to FM, it offers better interference immunity, plus slide‑show text and emergency‑broadcast capability – most European in‑vehicle receivers now include it.

Many manufacturers of in‑vehicle radio modules exporting to the EU confuse CE‑RED statutory compliance with WorldDAB logo certification. DAB receivers are receive‑only radio equipment – CE‑RED comes first – WorldDAB is an industry brand licence – treat them as separate.

1. DAB+ Certification Process – Step by Step

1.1 CE‑RED compliance

DAB+ is a pure receiver – no RF transmission – so RED Article 3.2 does not apply. Only Article 3.1(b) EMC requirements apply – the harmonised standard is EN 303 345.

The standard has multiple parts:

‑1: General.

‑2: AM.

‑3: FM.

‑4: DAB digital broadcast.

For triple‑band products, each sub‑part must be tested – they do not substitute for each other.

Ordinary in‑vehicle DAB receivers are low‑risk – use an ILAC‑accredited lab for receiver performance + EMC – manufacturer issues DoC – affix CE mark – no Notified Body required. Only high‑power broadcast transmitters mandate NB involvement.

・What does EN 303 345 actually test?

Focus on receiver metrics:

·Sensitivity, adjacent‑channel selectivity, blocking immunity.

·EMC: radiated and conducted emissions.

In‑vehicle radio challenges: weak‑signal locking, multi‑path interference – strongly tied to antenna hardware design – bench‑test passing doesn't guarantee real‑vehicle stability.

1.2 WorldDAB logo certification

To use the WorldDAB logo, you must pass the Alliance's tests.

·Version 4.0 was published in November 2025 – from 1 March 2026, all new applications must use Version 4.0.

·Compared to old Version 3.1: EPG recovery, slide‑show reception, HE‑AAC v2 parametric stereo, and EWF emergency broadcast are now mandatory.

·EWF alert: switch to emergency channel within 2 seconds – required for logo authorisation.

·UN R160 also assesses EWF – but it's not an EU RED customs‑clearance mandate.

  2. Chip Registration Database – Not a Barrier

Some claim that chips not registered in the WorldDAB database significantly increase testing workload. The database is voluntary – EU statutory access does not check it.

Not being registered simply means the logo stage requires additional chip‑baseline testing – not affecting CE‑RED. Registered chips save some upfront work – but registration does not exempt the whole product from full logo testing.

  3. Multi‑Country Data Reuse

·EN 303 345 test reports: EU CE and UK UKCA test data can be reused – but UKCA requires separate technical files, separate DoC, and a UK‑based responsible person – cannot directly use the CE package – there is no 2028 CE‑UKCA parallel transition.

·Australia ACMA: references AS 4943.2 – based on EU reports – supplement local band testing.

·Gulf GSO SABER: reports are not directly valid across all seven GCC countries – standard‑difference assessments are required.

  4. DAB vs. DAB+ – Don't Confuse Them

·Legacy DAB: MP2 encoding.

·DAB+: HE‑AAC v2 – more than double the spectral efficiency – current mainstream.

Certification: DAB+ requires HE‑AAC v2 decode verification. Hardware supporting only v1 is exempt – dual v1/v2 support requires full testing – sample versions must match declared specifications.

  5. In‑Vehicle Deployment Considerations

When integrating DAB modules into head units – ensure antenna and power‑supply matching – account for the whole‑vehicle EMC environment. Bench‑test passing doesn't guarantee real‑vehicle performance – we recommend road testing at the vehicle stage.

  6. How to Choose a Lab

·CE‑RED: ILAC‑accredited lab capable of EN 303 345 – no NB required.

·WorldDAB logo: must use Alliance‑recognised labs.

Combine both tests in one schedule – one sample submission outputs two reports – saving shipping time.

  7. Five Steps from Standards to Compliance

·Confirm product band combination – determine applicable standard sub‑parts.

·ILAC lab: receiver performance + EMC testing.

·Manufacturer issues DoC – affix CE mark.

·If logo required: WorldDAB 4.0 testing.

·Retain technical files.

Retention period: 10 years after the last product batch is placed on the market.

  8. Timeline and Samples

·With chip pre‑test records, clean testing + documentation: 3–5 weeks.

·One remediation round adds 1–2 weeks.

No mandatory sample quantity – WorldDAB testing generally recommends 2–3 units. Internal‑antenna products use coupling testing – no SMA connector soldering required. Version inconsistencies are the most common documentation rejection reason.

  9. WorldDAB Logo – Market Value

European OEMs and major retail channels value the logo. For small‑volume aftermarket shipments, CE‑RED self‑declaration is sufficient for customs – the logo is a plus – not mandatory.

  10. Customs Clearance and Evidence

·DAB receivers: customs checks CE marking + supporting technical files.

·There is no standalone DAB official certificate. CE + DoC is the statutory EU evidence – no central database – reports must be quickly retrievable when audited.

·WorldDAB logo: searchable in the Alliance database – mainly for OEM audits.

Manage the two evidence sets separately.

  11. Selection Reminder

HE‑AAC v2 decode capability is chip‑hardware‑dependent – confirm chip specifications at the selection stage – cannot be added via software later. Using test‑plan templates reduces missing test items.

For DAB+ certification, contact BlueAsia at 13534225140 (King) or email king.guo@cblueasia.com.