The CE Mark, CE Marking and CE Certification

If you are manufacturer and are planning to export a product which falls within the scope of one or more of the markets in any of the member states of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) then it is necessary that you apply for CE marking of your products against the essential requirements of all the applicable directives. Please note that CE Mark is a mandatory mark for most (around 70%) of the products sold on the EU market (totaling 28 countries).

The New Approach Directives will provide a range of compliance routes for your product and show you, usually in a modular format, the available routes to compliance. You must then decide which is the best fit for your company set up and follow the routes detailed in the Directive. In many cases the compliance route will require you to use a Notified Body to assist with your certification. The essential requirements of the New Approach Directives differ from directive to directive and product to product.

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.

· Introduction

1. What is CE marking

2. Why CE marking is needed

3. Benefits

4. Which products require CE marking and where the products can be marketed

5. CE marking process