The CE mark is a mandatory European marking for certain product groups to indicate conformity with the essential health and safety requirements set out in European Directives. The letters 'CE' are an abbreviation of Conformité Européenne, French for European conformity. The CE mark must be affixed to a product if it falls under the scope of so called 'New Approach' Directives. Without the CE marking, and thus without complying with the provisions of the Directives, the product may not be placed in the market or put into service in the member states of the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. However, if the product meets the provisions of the applicable European Directives, and the CE mark is affixed to a product, these countries may not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing in the market or putting into service of the product. Thus, CE marking can be regarded as the products trade passport for Europe.

The CE mark is not a quality-mark. First, it refers to the safety rather than to the quality of a product. Second, most quality markings are voluntary opposite to the CE marking, which is mandatory for the products it applies to. CE indicates conformity with mandatory European safety requirements. European conformity is certified by following clear and understandable procedures, the so-called ‘conformity assessment procedures’.

 The CE Mark is a conformity marking consisting of the letters CE. The CE Marking applies to products regulated by certain European health, safety and environmental protection legislation. The CE Marking is obligatory for products it applies to: the manufacturer affixes the marking in order to be allowed to sell his product in the European market.

CE is an abbreviation for Conformité Européenne, French for European Conformity. The CE Mark indicates that the product it is affixed to conforms to all relevant essential requirements and other applicable provisions that have been imposed upon it by means of European directives, and that the product has been subject to the appropriate conformity assessment procedure(s). The essential requirements refer, among other things, to safety, public health and consumer protection.

Please note:

1. The CE Marking is not a quality-mark.

First, it refers to safety rather than to the quality of a product. Second, CE Marking is mandatory for the product it applies to, whereas most quality markings are voluntary.

2. Many people use the term CE Mark. Initially, this was the phrase used to indicate this conformity marking. However, CE Mark was officially replaced by the term CE Marking in 1993. Thus, it is better to speak of CE Marking.