CE Mark Consulting

CE Marking – Summary

• It is compulsory by law in certain markets (eg. European)  (includes market surveillance).

• It indicates how a product shows performance levels in accordance with European standards.

• It is a statement made by the manufacturer (or importer from products outside EU) that the

  Product performs as it should.

• It is applied under manufacturers or importer own responsibility.

• It is required to put a product on the European market.

What is CE Marking?

CE Marking is indicated by means of the CE mark, which is the official symbol of CE Marking.

CE Marking means the same thing throughout the European Union. Officially, the letters are not an abbreviation, but are generally taken to stand for Conformité Européenne.

Why CE Marking?

• Prevents obstacles to trade

• A single European market with no internal borders

• Safe, healthy products for the intended use

• To show compliance with the Construction Products Directive (CPD) and its transposition

   into the building regulation in the place of use

• Compilation of European methods for determination, testing and classification of

   characteristics of building products. These characteristics are indicated in CE Marking.

What does the CE mark mean?

When the CE mark is applied to a product and/or accompanying documents, it indicates conformity with the harmonized part of the European Standard (EN) or European Technical Approval Guideline (ETAG). This means that the product can be traded all over the European Union, but has to be checked if the product fulfils the requirements in the place of use.

What are the requirements for CE Marking?

In principle, CE Marking sets no requirements, but it does establish the performance characteristics for a product. Depending on the country or type of product, minimum performance levels can be required. Examples of these are electrical devices such as coffee machines that must not produce electric shocks when touched. This applies to all EU countries. However, the CE Marking does not tell us whether the coffee tastes good or not.

In the world of construction materials, the CE Marking indicates the conformity of the material with

the relevant European specifications. This means that the assembled CE-marked product (with the CE mark), provided it is used and maintained correctly, satisfies the six main aspects of the

European Construction Products Directives.

For consumers:

CE marking itself is not about quality, nor is it intended to convey any meaning to specifiers, purchasers or end users who are, after all, reasonably entitled to assume that what they buy from a reputable source is legal.

CE marking and European Directives

The letters CE on a product are intended for regulatory surveillance authorities. They represent the manufacturer's claim that the requirements of all relevant European Directives have been satisfied. Many products are covered by these Directives and for some, such as toys, it is a legal requirement to mark the product accordingly.

CE marking on a product, its packaging or accompanying information indicates that the minimum levels of quality and health & safety have been met. CE marking provides for the product to move freely throughout the European Single Market.

CE marking may simply involve testing carried out by the manufacturer or it may involve intervention of an independent third party, depending on the product and the Directive concerned. Purchasers may need to check the CE marking accompanying information to ascertain that the product is appropriate for their needs.

In summary

In summary then, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer has met the minimum legal requirements for their products in regard to health and safety under European Directives. CE marking is not, therefore, intended to be a quality mark.

How to get CE mark?

STEP 1 – Identify the directive(s) and harmonized standards applicable to the product

There are more than 20 directives setting out the product categories requiring CE marking. The essential requirements that products have to fulfil (e.g. safety) are harmonised at EU level and are set out in general terms in these directives. Harmonised European standards are issued with reference to the applied directives and express in detailed technical terms the essential requirements.

STEP 2 – Verify the product-specific requirements

It is up to you to ensure that your product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant EU legislation. Full compliance of a product to the harmonised standards gives a product the “presumption of conformity” with the relevant essential requirements. The use of harmonized standards remains voluntary. You may decide to choose other ways to fulfil these essential requirements.

STEP 3 – Identify whether an independent conformity assessment is required from a Notified body

Each directive covering your product specifies whether an authorised third party (Notified Body) must be involved in the conformity assessment procedure necessary for CE marking. This is not obligatory for all products, so it is important to check whether the involvement of a Notified Body is indeed required.

These Bodies are authorised by national authorities and officially “notified” to the Commission and listed in the NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) database.

STEP 4 – Test the product and check its conformity

Testing the product and checking its conformity to the EU legislation (Conformity Assessment Procedure) is the responsibility of the manufacturer. One part of the procedure is, as a general rule, a risk assessment. By applying the relevant harmonised European standards, you will be able to fulfil the essential legislative requirements of the directives

STEP 5 – Draw up and keep available the required technical documentation

The manufacturer has to establish the technical documentation required by the directive(s) for the assessment of the product’s conformity to the relevant requirements, and for the risk assessment. Together with the EC declaration of conformity, the technical documentation must be presented on request to the appropriate national authorities.

STEP 6 – Affixation of the CE marking to your product and EC Declaration of Conformity

The CE marking must be affixed by the manufacturer, or by his authorized representative within the EEA or Turkey. It must be affixed according to its legal format visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or its data plate. If a Notified Body was involved in the production control phase, its identification number must also be displayed. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to draw up and sign an “EC declaration of conformity” proving that the product meets the requirements. That’s it! Your CE-marked product is ready for the market.

Here is where our expertise in product Standards and technical expertise comes in handy to you. E-Qual will provide you with the training on requirements, needs of proper documentation of technical file, implementation of the requirements and initial verification and audit before an inspection agency can vary for compliance.


E-Qual has been in the product responsibility consulting for more than 15 Years. Therefore, here is where you make the best use of our experience to maximize acceptability of your Product Assurance and protect against any product liability. By reviewing your standards and system, we will be able to suggest solutions to avoid unnecessary cost

Who should I contact for more information?

You must contact us first by sending mail to eqespl@eth.net  or call us at +91-44-24935892 or +91-9840052914. We will respond to you within 2 business days.

Contact us for a customized presentation that can help you evaluate this stamping for your Business needs

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