Applying the Goal Structuring Notation (GSN) to Argue Compliance of Equipment With the European EMC Directive

Abstract

This letter illustrates the use of a graphical argumentation notation, more specifically, the goal structuring notation, to document and represent the different elements in the overall argumentation of why a piece of equipment is deemed to comply with the essential requirements of the EMC directive (EMCD). Such a graphical argumentation notation helps to overcome the significant bottlenecks of a pure-text-based approach by presenting the different elements of the argumentation in a clear and easy-to-understand visual format. This letter proposes several patterns to argue compliance with the EMCD corresponding to various argumentation strategies. Manufacturers can easily reuse and adapt the proposed patterns to the specifics of their equipment. Together, the different patterns provide a detailed overview of the steps to be followed in the progress toward the equipment’s declaration of conformity. As a practical example, the proposed patterns are applied to the use case of a power drive system inside an air compressor.