CE Marking – Legal Obligation, not a Certification Mark
The CE mark is not a test or quality seal, but an administrative marking. It indicates that a product meets the essential health and safety requirements of all applicable European directives and is therefore eligible for free movement within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Responsibility for CE marking lies, depending on the case, with the manufacturer, importer, an EU-authorized representative, or a distributor within the supply chain. The CE mark must be affixed to products that are subject to harmonized European product safety legislation.
Which directive applies to my product?
Currently, more than 30 different CE directives are in effect—each with specific requirements for various product categories. Determining whether a product falls under any of these directives, and which ones apply, is not always immediately apparent.
Key questions include:
- Which directives are relevant?
- Is internal conformity assessment sufficient?
- Must a Notified Body be involved (e.g., for type examination or quality assurance)?
Why CE projects can become complex
For many products, a self-declared conformity assessment is sufficient by applying harmonized standards. However, for machinery, construction products, electrical equipment, or toys, the assessment can become more complex due to:
- Overlapping directives
- National exceptions or specific requirements
- Language requirements in user instructions
- Evolving technical standards
In such cases, expertise alone is not enough—technical understanding, documentation competence, and project coordination are essential.