CE Marking
CE Marking is a self-certification procedure for manufacturers to verify product compliance with European Union directives. Learn about the 24 EU directives, manufacturer responsibilities, and compliance requirements for selling in the European common market.
CE Marking
CE is an acronym for the French phrase "Conformité Européenne" and is similar to the UL or CSA marks in North America. Unlike UL or CSA which require independent laboratory testing, the CE mark can be applied by the manufacturer through a "self certifying" procedure that verify that the products are designed to the appropriate standards.
The European Union has issued 24 directives related to the CE mark.
Key Points
- The CE mark states that the manufacturer complies the product to be within applicable EU directives.
- The CE Marking is NOT a safety mark and must not be confused with a certificate.
- CE marking will never be granted by a third party test house or a certification body.
Manufacturer Responsibility
The manufacturer is responsible for non-compliance and liable for any damage caused by the product. If the manufacturer (or his authorized representative) is not based within the EU, the importer is responsible for the product in Europe.
If a product is not in compliance with the directives, it may be restricted, prohibited from sale or even withdrawn from the market.
Important Note
Be aware that some European Directives, such as the Pressure Equipment Directive #97/23/CE, require a 3rd party ("notified body") for certain products with specific pressure and dimensional characteristics. In these cases, you are not allowed to apply the CE mark without approval from a notified body.