The CE marking stands for "Conformité Européene," which translates to "European Conformity" in French. It is a conformity marking used in the European Union (EU) to indicate that a product complies with the applicable European directives and associated requirements.
The CE marking is mandatory in many areas and product categories, including mechanical engineering, electronics, medical devices, toys, construction products, personal protective equipment, and many others. It signifies that a product meets the European requirements for safety, health, environmental protection, and consumer protection.
The CE marking indicates that the manufacturer or the person placing the product on the market has carried out a conformity assessment and that the product complies with the relevant EU directives. To use the CE marking, the manufacturer or the person placing the product on the market must follow certain steps to ensure that the product complies with the applicable directives.
These steps include conducting a risk assessment, creating technical documentation, performing conformity assessment according to the relevant standards and directives, complying with requirements for product design and production, creating a declaration of conformity, and finally affixing the CE marking on the product.
The CE marking consists of the letters "CE" arranged in a circle. It must be clearly legible and permanently affixed to the product. The size and proportions of the marking must conform to the specified requirements.
However, the CE marking alone is not a guarantee of the quality or performance of a product. It simply indicates that the product complies with the legal requirements for sale within the European Union. The responsibility for the safety and quality of the product ultimately lies with the manufacturer or the person placing it on the market.
It is important to note that the CE marking is not required for all products. There are specific exemptions and guidelines that may not necessitate the CE marking. In such cases, different conformity procedures and markings apply.
The CE marking plays a crucial role in the European internal market as it facilitates the free movement of goods within the EU. The uniform requirements and standards ensure that products from different EU countries meet the same minimum requirements, thereby ensuring the safety and protection of consumers.
