CE Certification

‘CE’ is an administrative marking that stands for ‘Conformité Européenne’ and is European based standard that indicates conformity with environmental, health and safety standards of the products sold in EEA (European Economic Area) or the products manufactured according to EEA standards and may be sold outside the European Economic Area.

The benefit of such marking is that the consumers outside the EEA are now familiar with the CE marking making them recognized worldwide. Like FCC Declaration of Conformity in the United State, CE markings are for the European Economic Area. Any manufacturer desiring to sell its products in the European community would have to ensure that the product meet the CE compliance for the European market. European market is such a wide market over a population of 500 million. CE marking indicates that the said product is free from any health hazards and safety issues. These marking is conferred to the manufacturers of various items including electronics. These markings are the declaration of the manufacturer that the product is as per the EU standards of health, safety and environmental protection. 

Earlier, CE certification was limited to sale of electronics items only within the EEA (European Economic Area). But with the passage of time, these CE markings have been extending its footprint in the rest of the world. Though CE marking indicate the product is meeting the health, safety and environmental standards of EU, it can never be considered as a benchmark of quality for these electronic products. These said marks consists of the logo of CE and if applicable, the identification number of the identified body involved in assessment procedure of the conformity.

These CE are placed on various categories of products and are mandatory for machinery, electronic and electrical equipment’s, hazardous location equipment’s, medical devices and many other products. Any manufacturer desiring to sell electronics product in EU will require to apply for a CE mark.

Some products are subject to several EU requirements at the same time. Further, the manufacturer will be required to ensure the product compliances with the relevant requirements to proceed further in affixing of CE marking to it. The products which do not require the affixing of CE marking or for the products for which EU specification does not exist, it is forbidden for those products to affix the CE markings.

For those products for which it is mandatory, there are certain guidelines for affixing of the markings. Like, these CE marking should be visible, readable and indelible. The CE marking should have the initials "CE", both characters must be the same size and not less than 5mm (unless otherwise specified in the relevant product requirements). If the manufacturer wishes to reduce or increase the CE marking on your product, you must respect the size of the two characters.

As long as the elements are always present, CE marking can take different forms (for example color, solid or empty). If the CE mark is not affixed to the product itself, you can package it if available, or in any of the accompanying documents. If your product is subject to a number of EU guidelines / regulations that require CE marking, the accompanying documents must show that your product complies with all EU guidelines / regulations. Some other factors relating to CE marking are:

• The CE mark, or former EC mark, is a mandatory sign of the commodity of certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985.
• CE stands for Conformité Européenne (French), meaning European conformity.
• CE marking is self-identifying as the manufacturer certifies compliance with EU health, safety and environmental regulations and ensures compliance with appropriate product and requirements.
• With CE mark, a product can be sold in the EU and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
• There are six steps to marking CE: 1. Identify appropriate indicators and standards, 2. Determine specific product requirements, 3. Indicate whether independent testing (Informed Body) is required, 4. Product test, 5. Create technical documentation, and 6. Put a CE mark on the product.
• Marking CE is not proof of compliance - your technical documents / technical file.
• The manufacturer or authorized representative must keep technical records for a number of years (number depends on the type of product) after the final product has been placed on the market.
• Each EU country has a responsibility to enforce CE marking, banning products and penalizing non-compliance.
• Unsafe products are distributed in the EU via RAPEX - an instant warning system of measures taken to prevent the marketing or use of products that endanger the health and safety of consumers.
• There is a very similar logo where CE stands for Chinese Export or China Export - this has nothing to do with European consensus.
• The size of the CE mark must be at least 5 mm high. If the appearance or size of the product does not allow the CE marking to be attached to the product itself, the marking must be affixed to its packaging or accompanying documents.
• Pre-testing before a product development process can reduce marketing costs and time.

CE marking is a type of certified marking that ensures that the product is made according to EU rules and regulations. Nowadays, customers are really concerned about the reliability of the products and look at all aspects of products, including quality before buying. They care about product vulnerability and often look for similar safety prospects.

To obtain the CE certificate, there is a process that is needed to be followed and manufacturers desiring or in need of CE certificate can go through the process:

• Firstly, identify which products are needed to be certified with the CE mark and whether the particular products require such certification or not.
• There are many different directives to choose from the desired directive that would be relevant for CE markings. 

1. Low voltage directives (LVD)
2. Pressure Equipment Directives (PED)
3. Medical devices directives
4. Toys directives
5. Electromagnetic compatibility directives (EMC)
6. Construction machinery directives
7. Machinery directives
8. Lift directives 

• Selection of harmonic standards relevant for the products those seek CE certification.
• Risk assessment conduction of the standards and directives with the products that seek CE certification to certify compliances.
• Testing of products through third party certified lab or an in-house facility according to the directives selected.
• There is a provision of self-certification as well. Manufacturers are given the power to affix CE markings on their products. However, there are only specific categories of products that are entitled to self-certification.
• The manufacturer may avail CE certificate for their products through CE mark notification agency or a competent body.
• Preparation of Technical Construction File (TCF) against the products seeking CE marking/certification by the manufacturer. The said technical construction file shall consolidate the details, like: -

1. Description of device
2. Device’s Circuitry Schematic
3. Device’s general design
4. The rundowns of the standards that applies to the said product
5. Registration of standard assessments.
6. In-depth description of the logic behind the operation of the device
7. Datasheets relating to subassemblies
8. List of parts
9. Currently used markings and labels
10. Copy of maintenance guide and installation
11. Reports of the tests
12. Declaration of conformity
13. Quality control

All thanks to marking of CE, which guarantee the product for such reasons. The manufacturer there needs to keep in mind that CE Mark certificates require recognized physical certificates and the manufacturer shall make sure to comply with all the requirements to proceed further with said certification.

WHY CORPSEED?

CE marking services tailored to your product

We can support you throughout the entire conformity process to ensure compliance for all kinds of products, from radio equipment to construction products, machinery, and much more.

Work with Corpseed for:

• In-depth knowledge of all required tests and the laboratories to perform them
• Long experience of CE marking and changing EU legislation
• Ability to rapidly test products, provide you with CE marking and technical documents
• A one-stop-shop for all your product testing and CE marking needs
• Find out more about our different CE marking solutions for different categories of product by contacting us.