CE Marking

CE marking represents the Trade Passport to Europe and it applies to a wide range of products that are regulated by European health, safety and environmental protection legislation. It is mandatory and ensures that the product meets all the standards and directives set out by the authority. The manufacturers mark their product so that if given permission, they can sell their product in the European market. CE stands for Conformité Européenne, which is the French for the word European Conformity. It is a declaration that the product has met the standards and has also passed the Conformity assessment. This mark though is not a mark that would ensure quality. It just means that the product fulfills all the legal requirements.

Why is CE marking required?

It is introduced so that a standard of safety can be set regarding the designs of the product. It is also a way to bring all the national regulations for consumer and industrial products on one level so that a common market can be set up for all European Member States. It has also provided a set standard, which is used like a uniform yardstick to check same products manufactured by different companies.

CE was introduced when a single market for fifteen European member countries was made in the year 1992, which was aimed at getting rid of the barriers between countries with the help of trade and commerce. Till that time there were number of measures enacted by the European Parliament, which were introduced with the intention to make the concept of Single market practicable. The new directives that were formed stated the controls on product designing and documentation in minute details. It had all the standards clearly mentioned.

CE Marking Standards: How do I get a product CE marked?

To get a product CE marked, it has to be shown that the necessary requirements related to any relevant directives have been met and fulfilled. The requirements are divided in two sections, one is Protection Requirement and other is Administrative Requirement. The latter deals with the way the products are to be marked which implies that the manufacturer has to obtain a Declaration of Conformity with the CE mark to the product. The former Deals with the design of the particular product that can be illustrated by checking it against the standards.

One should also know about the CE marking directives when trying to get the product CE marked. These are directives that are documents printed and promulgated by the European Commission, which specify the protection requirements regarding design safety and the administrative essentials for products that are to be manufactured or imported into the European Union or the EU. There are quite a few Directives, covering a large range of products manufactured but they all fundamentally consist of two distinct sets of requirements. The directives however do not mention anything regarding how the specified requirements are to be achieved. It is for the individual to decide that how they want to achieve the objectives.

There are approximately thirty directives that are to be considered when trying to get the product CE marked. CE marking helps the consumers also to get the right kind of products since it signifies that the product being bought is safe, thus promoting Public safety. It increases the credibility of the product and also the level of customer service. It is a legal requirement that includes most of the products that are being manufactured and sold.

I hope this answers the basic questions related to CE marking and its standards, which is growing more and more important for a manufacturer to sell his product in the European market.