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Definition of CE Marking
Essentially CE markings symbolize that manufactured equipment complies with all requirements relating to safety, public health, consumer protection, or other requirements defined in directives issued by the European Commission. It is neither an agency approval nor a quality mark. The letters “CE” appear on many products traded on the extended Single Market in the European Economic Area (EEA). The mark signifies that products sold in the EEA have been assessed to meet high safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. When you buy a new computer, TV or phone within the EEA, you can find the CE mark on them. The CE mark also supports fair competition by holding all companies accountable to the same rules.
Responsibility for the CE Marking
The CE marking is a key indicator of a product’s compliance with the European Union legislation and enables free movement of products within the European Economic Area. The manufacturer does not have to be located within the EU but is ultimately responsible for the product. According to the Official Journal of the European Union, “By affixing the CE marking on a product, a manufacturer is declaring, on his sole responsibility (and irrespectively of whether a third-party has been involved in the conformity assessment process), conformity with all of the legal requirements to achieve the CE marking.”
How to Obtain the CE Markings
As the product's manufacturer, you bear sole responsibility for declaring conformity with all requirements. You don't need a license to affix the CE marking to your product, however, before doing so, you must:
- Ensure conformity with all relevant EU-wide requirements.
- Determine whether you can assess your product by yourself or if you have to involve a notified body.
- Put together a technical dossier documenting conformity.
- Find out about technical documentation and draft and sign an EU declaration of conformity.
Once your product bears the CE marking—if the competent national authority requests—you must provide them with all the information and supporting documentation concerning CE marking.
Affixing the CE Marking
According to the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, the following are rules and conditions for affixing the CE marking:
“The CE marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly, and indelibly to the electrical equipment or to its data plate. Where that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of the electrical equipment, it shall be affixed to the packaging and to the accompanying documents.”
“Member States shall build upon existing mechanisms to ensure correct application of the regime governing the CE marking and shall take appropriate action in the event of improper use of that marking.”
Marking of Electrical Products Being Attached to Electrical Equipment
According to the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU Guidelines, “When a power cord set has not been placed on the market and is sold together with another item that is also covered by the LVD, there is no need to affix the CE marking on the cord set, if this is provided for use only with the main article and the CE marking must be affixed on the main article only.”
Additional Resources:
European Commission’s website on the CE marking
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/ce-marking_en
Information on the CE marking for manufacturers
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/ce-marking/manufacturers_en
Member Countries of the EU
https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries_en
