Book excerpt: In 1996, enforcement of the mandatory European Union EMI/EMC (electromagnetic interference and compatibility) began. Before that time, many designers were just beginning to worry about "EMI problems". Now, 8 years later, the same old EMI problems are still with us, and some new ones have emerged as well. Anyone selling components or equipment of any sort in Europe and therefore the world for most globally based companies requires compliance with the EMC directive. There is no alternative. The information in this book enables faster, cheaper compliance.