CE Marking

• EMC Directive 2014/35/EU
• Low Voltage Directive (Electrical Safety) 2014/35/EU
• Machinery Safety Directive 2006/42/EC
• Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU
• Equipment for explosive atmospheres (ATEX) 2014/34/EU
• Regulatory planning, test planning, project management, training courses

Free movement of goods and products is a cornerstone of the single European market. The mechanisms in place to achieve this goal are based upon mutual recognition and technical harmonization. A new regulatory technique and strategy was laid down by the EU parliament which resulted in the “New Approach” to technical harmonization and standardization.

However, there was consensus to further enhance this approach.  The major elements needing attention were overall coherence and consistency, the notification process, accreditation, the conformity assessment procedures (modules), CE marking, and market surveillance (including revision of the safeguard clause procedures).

Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and Decision No 768/2008/EC brought together, in the New Legislative Framework (NLF), all the elements required for a comprehensive regulatory framework to operate effectively for the safety and compliance of industrial products with the requirements adopted to protect the various public interests and for the proper functioning of the single market.

The NLF takes account of the existence of the economic operators in the supply chain – manufacturers, authorised representatives, distributors, and importers – and their respective roles in relation to the product. The importer now has clear obligations in relation to the compliance of products, and where a distributor or an importer modifies a product or markets it under their own name, they become the equivalent of the manufacturer and must take the latter’s responsibilities in relation to the product.

Products in compliance with all provisions of all applicable NLF directives can affix the “CE Mark” to indicate that the product has been subject to the appropriate conformity assessment procedures of the applicable directives.  An EU Declaration of Conformity must be drawn up before the CE mark is affixed to the product.

CE marking of machinery is mandatory and must be affixed before the product is placed on the EU market.  Where products are subject to several directives, conformity must be established to the provisions of all of these directives.

CE marking must be affixed by the manufacturer or by their authorized representative. The CE mark must be affixed to the product, its data plate, or if this is not possible, it must be affixed to the packaging and accompanying documents.  The CE mark must be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly, at least 5 mm in height and take the form described in EU legislation.

Directives aligned to the NLF include but are not limited to:

• Toy Safety – Directive 2009/48/EU
• Transportable pressure equipment – Directive 2010/35/EU
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Directive 2011/65/EU
• Construction products – Regulation (EU) No 305/2011
• Pyrotechnic Articles – Directive 2013/29/EU
• Recreational craft and personal watercraft – Directive 2013/53/EU
• Civil Explosives – Directive 2014/28/EU
• Simple Pressure Vessels – Directive 2014/29/EU
• Electromagnetic Compatibility – Directive 2014/30/EU
• Non-automatic Weighing Instruments – Directive 2014/31/EU
• Measuring Instruments – Directive 2014/32/EU
• Lifts – Directive 2014/33/EU
• ATEX – Directive 2014/34/EU
• Radio equipment – Directive 2014/53/EU
• Low Voltage – Directive 2014/35/EU
• Pressure equipment – Directive 2014/68/EU
• Marine Equipment – Directive 2014/90/EU
• Cableway installations – Regulation (EU) 2016/424
• Personal protective equipment – Regulation (EU) 2016/425
• Gas appliances – Regulation (EU) 2016/426