"The CE mark is placed on a product as the manufacturer’s visual identifier that the product meets the requirements of relevant European Directives. It is mandatory for a wide range of products sold within or exported to the European market"
The CE marking (an acronym for the French "Conformite Europeenne") certifies that a product has met EU health, safety, and environmental requirements, which ensure consumer safety. Manufacturers in the European Union (EU) and abroad must meet CE marking requirements where applicable in order to market their products in Europe. For a list of countries that require the CE marking, see the table below: Countries that require CE Marking.
A manufacturer who has gone through the conformity assessment process, may affix the CE marking to the product. With the CE marking, the product may be marketed throughout the EU. CE marking now provides product access to 27 countries with a population of nearly 500 million.Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive list of the products that require a CE marking. Therefore, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to determine if a product requires a CE marking. The "New Approach Directives" are documents that contain the legislation issued by the European Commission on the requirements that need to be met and procedures that must be followed in order for a particular product to be CE marked for sales in the EU.
Countries That Require CE Marking
|
Austria
|
Hungary |
Poland |
| Belgium |
Iceland |
Portugal |
| Bulgaria |
Ireland |
Romania |
| Cyprus |
Italy |
Slovakia |
| Czech Republic |
Latvia |
Slovenia |
| Denmark |
Liechtenstein |
Spain |
| Estonia |
Lithuania |
Sweden |
| Finland |
Luxembourg |
Switzerland |
| France |
Malta |
Turkey |
| Germany |
Netherlands |
United Kingdom |
| Greece |
Norway |
|
Other countries are likely to adopt the Directives in the future
By affixing the CE marking, the manufacturer, or its representative, or the importer assures that the item meets all the essential requirements of all applicable EU directives. Examples of European Directives requiring CE marking include toy safety, medical devices, machinery, low-voltage equipment, R&TTE, and Electromagnetic compatibility. There are about 25 Directives requiring CE marking.
The manufacturer, whether established inside or outside the Community, is the person ultimately responsible for the conformity of the product with the provisions of the relevant Directive(s) and for the affixing of the CE marking. The manufacturer may appoint an authorized representative established in the Community to act on his behalf. The person responsible for placing the product on the market may, exceptionally, be deemed to have assumed the responsibilities of the manufacturer.
To facilitate free trade and ensure the safety of certain products, European countries have developed a series of standards, or Directives as they are called. Compliance is mandatory. It is a legal obligation on the part of the manufacturer or his agent. Penalties for failing to get CE-marking for a product can be severe.
If you wish to sell your products within the European Union member states and the European Economic Area, the product in question must comply with the Directive(s). This also applies if you are a manufacturer who wants to export products into the European Member countries.
The Directives replace individual country standards as they relate principally to the safety of these products.
There are certain exclusions, but if you manufacture any of the above types of equipment or products then one or more of the Directives almost certainly apply. Contact SZUTEST to find out which directives apply to your products.
Directives apply to 99% of all industrial and domestic products sold in Europe; it is the distinctive CE mark that signifies compliance with the applicable Directives. Without the CE mark and the correct documentation, manufacturers and importers are at an immediate disadvantage when competing against compliant competitors. |
