The CE Marking is an abbreviation of the French word “Conformité Européene”, meaning “European Conformity” originally this was referred to as the “EC Mark” but changes in the Directive 93/68/EEC in 1993 meant the EC Mark was replaced with the “CE Marking” and is now used in all official EU documents.
The CE Marking is a declaration from the Manufacturer that the product they have created complies with the essential and relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislations, also known as the Product Directives.* Included in these directives there are requirements that must be adhered to, ‘essential requirements’ and/or ‘performance levels’ including ‘Harmonised Standards’ to which the products must conform. The Harmonised Standards are technical specifications (European Standards or Harmonisation Documents) which have been established by several European standards agencies including the : CEN and CENELEC.
- CEN = European Committee for Standardisation.
- CENELEC = European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation
By adding the CE Marking to a manufacturers product is indicates to government officials that the product can legally be placed on the market in their country. It also allows for the product to have free movement within the EFTA & European Union (EU) which is currently 28 countries and means that all non-conforming products can be withdrawn from the market by customs and enforcement authorities.
As with all directives and enforcements updates it mean that more and more products have to bear the CE Marking to gain access to the EFTA and European Union Market. All non- EU exporters are still unaware or unsure of this and how it impacts their export business.
About the CE Marking;
- The manufacturer or authorised representative will affix the CE Marking
- Products that comply with the Community harmonisation legislation can only have the CE marking, no other products.
- The CE marking shows that the manufacturer takes responsibility for the conformity of the product, meeting all applicable and necessary requirements.
- The CE marking is only affixed to the products that conform to the requirements of the relevant Community harmonisation legislation
- Other markings may be added to a product provided the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking is not impaired in any way, shape or form.
- Member States have the authority to provide penalties for infringements, which may include criminal sanctions for serious infringements. These penalties are awarded proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and constitute as an effective deterrent against improper use.
At Channel we ensure that all of our products have the appropriate CE Markings and we take full responsibility of our legitimacy within the market place. Our products are designed and manufactured to high regulatory standards and we are fully aware of the consequences that may be put on us should we fail to provide a satisfactory product.
Interested in our products? Take a look:
*http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumers_safety/product_safety_legislation/general_product_safety_directive/index_en.htm
