CE

CE

CE Marking

Passport for entry in Europe

 

CE Marking is the symbol CE as shown on many well-known products. The letters "CE" are the abbreviation of French phrase "Conformité Européene" which literally means "European Conformity". The term initially used was "EC Mark" and it was officially replaced by "CE Marking" in the Directive 93/68/EEC in 1993. "CE Marking" is now used in all EU official documents."CE Mark" is also in use, but it is NOT the official term.

  1. CE Marking on a product is a manufacturer's declaration that the product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation, in practice by many of the so-called Product Directives. Product Directives contains the "essential requirements" and/or "performance levels" and "Harmonized Standards" to which the products must conform. Harmonized Standards are the technical specifications (European Standards or Harmonization Documents) which are established by several international standards agencies (IEI, CEN, CENELEC, etc).
  2. CE Marking on a product indicates to governmental officials that the product may be legally placed on the market in their country.
  3. CE Marking on a product ensures the free movement of the product within the EFTA & European Union (EU) single market (total 28 countries), and
  4. CE Marking on a product permits the withdrawal of the non-conforming products by customs and enforcement/vigilance authorities.

 

Along with more directives' becoming effective, more and more products are required to bear the CE Marking for gaining access to the EFTA & European Union market. However, many non-EU exporters are still unaware of or unsure about this fact and its impact on their business.

 

General principles of the CE marking

  1. The CE marking shall be affixed only by the manufacturer or his authorized representative.
  2. The CE marking shall be affixed only to products to which its affixing is provided for by specific Community harmonization legislation, and shall not be affixed to any other product.
  3. By affixing or having affixed the CE marking, the manufacturer indicates that he takes responsibility for the conformity of the product with all applicable requirements set out in the relevant Community harmonization legislation providing for its affixing.
  4. The CE marking shall be the only marking which attests the conformity of the product with the applicable requirements of the relevant Community harmonization legislation providing for its affixing.
  5. The affixing to a product of markings, signs or inscriptions which are likely to mislead third parties regarding the meaning or form of the CE marking shall be prohibited. Any other marking may be affixed to the product provided that the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking is not thereby impaired.

 

How does CE Marking affect the export to Europe? 
If the new product directives apply to your products and you want to continue to export to the European market (or introduce new products), then CE Marking will be crucial to your success. 
It is NOT unusual nowadays that non-EU manufacturers and exporters have had their product(s) seized by customs officials in the European Union at the worst or returned to them because they do not have the CE marking affixed to the product(s). 

 

The CE Marking can be, at the same time, of both benefits and disadvantages.

 

Benefits: 

  • With this "passport" your products can easily gain access to the entire European Union (EU) plus European Free Trade Association (EFTA) market.
  • There will be only one set of laws and regulations for the entire marketplace which guide the designing, manufacturing and labeling of products. The multiple and conflicting national restrictions on regulated products will be eliminated. Thus the CE Marking on your product will make your trade with EU countries cheaper and easier. 
  • Your product will be made safer for consumers and thus the damage claims and liability premiums will be reduced.

 

Disadvantages:

  • New product directives may exceed the current national laws and regulations. It may cost a manufacturer extra to modify the currently existed design and/or production line in order to continue exporting to or gain access to this huge European market.
  • Extra costs in obtaining the product Certificate of Registration for CE Marking and any, if applicable, required testing certification. 

 

The necessary areas of the CE conformity assessment include the following:

. Type approval testing

. Compatibility tests (electromagnetic, biological compatibility or etc.)

. Safety tests in IEI’s testing laboratories

. Examination of product design

. Preparation of expert appraisal reports

. Certification of quality systems

 

IEI assist companies at the earliest development stage of new products by answering all questions related to the application of regulations, occupational safety and health provisions connected with the safety of equipments.