CE Marking

This section of our web site focuses on the application of harmonized standards for the presumption of conformity with applicable directives.

If you’re looking for information specific to testing for compliance with a given directive, for a particular product type, or for a known specification, in pursuit of CE marking, please visit our Learning Center section. Or feel free to contact us.

What is CE marking and why is the CE mark needed?

The CE mark enables the free movement of products into and within the European market.

By placing a CE mark on a product the manufacturer is declaring, on their sole responsibility, that the product conforms to all legal requirements to achieve CE marking.

Prior to placing the product on the European market, a manufacturer performs an assessment of the product against all applicable EU Directives, and verifies compliance with the relevant essential requirements.

Not all products require the CE mark – only products subject to specific directives must bear the CE mark.

Download a copy of the CE marking brochure published by the European Commission.

CE marking requirements

Obtaining CE certification for a product verifies that your item meets all requirements and certifications set by the European Union. Specific legislative acts or directives in the CE certification process have particular safety objectives, but the manufacturer must ultimately decide how they achieve these directives.

Steps To Obtaining A CE Mark

Compatible Electronics will walk your company through the entire CE testing process. Some of the steps we will help you perform to achieve CE marking include the following:

1. Find The CE Directive That Applies To Your Product

The first step in achieving CE marking is knowing which directive applies to your product. A trade commissioner can help you determine which regulations apply to your product.

2. Know The Essential Requirements Of Your Product

Each directive details the legal requirements or “essential requirements” for your product to be EU compliant. Some essential requirements your product may also need to meet include:

Harmonized standards: The European Commission often mandates that European organizations develop standards harmonizing with the directive’s essential requirements
Other standards: A manufacturer may also rely on standards other than the harmonized standards to demonstrate that their product complies with the essentials required in their directive. One exception to this rule is the Construction Products Regulation, which mandates using harmonized standards.
European Commission guidelines: You can also utilize detailed guidelines from the European Commission, which include details on the directive’s essential requirements.

3. Decide If You Need A Third-Party Assessment

Depending on your specific directive, you may need to hire a third-party organization to perform CE certification testing to ensure your products conform to essential requirements.

4. Assess Your Product’s Conformity

You will have to test your product and document the results to ensure it conforms to the essential requirements in an applicable directive. You can also assess a product’s conformity by hiring a service provider or third party. A company can test a product itself if it has an on-site CE mark testing lab, or it can use a third party.

5. Create And Maintain Technical Documentation

According to CE requirements, all manufacturers must create and share technical documentation showing their product conforms to specific needs. Manufacturers must keep all relevant technical documentation for at least 10 years and have their documentation available to give to enforcement authorities. This technical documentation can be in any EU language, and the manufacturer must store the documents in Europe.

6. Receive The Report And Affix The CE Mark

The report certifies that a product meets all regulations. This document is the manufacturer’s responsibility, and you must present it to EU authorities at entry points. Once receiving this documentation, you must affix a CE mark on all new products. You can only apply a CE mark to packaging or documents if:

It is impossible to attach the CE mark to the actual product.
You cannot use the CE mark due to reasonable technical or economic circumstances.
You can not ensure that the CE mark is visibly, legibly and indelibly affixed..

Background On EU Directives In General

Please see the “Blue Guide 2022” for general information on European directives

More information can be found in the European Commission reference documents “single market for goods”.

Publication of titles and references of harmonized standards

The following section contains lists of harmonized standards, as well as guidance documents published in the Official Journal of the European Union or by the European Commission. Documents organized by directive. Please note, documents are not maintained by Compatible Electronics but rather are provided here for your convenience. The original documents can be found at http://europa.eu/