Incorrect CE Marking and manufacturer responsibility

CE Markingis mandatory for a wide variety of products including all electrical / electronic devices, allowing manufacturers to import and export their products freely within the European Union, with common product design and manufacturing requirements defined withinEU Directives.

By placing the mandatory conformity mark on a product, manufacturers (or if outside of the EU, the importer or authorised representative) are providing a clear indication that it meets all the relevant requirements and should therefore enjoy free movement between all 28 Member states.

Problems with the CE Mark

In recent years, however, Europe has seen an increasing number of goods incorrectly marked with the CE Mark flooding the market from foreign countries. The reasons for this have been three-fold:

• Firstly, there has been much confusion around the CE Mark itself with similar marks from China often confusing consumers and being mistaken for the genuine CE Mark.
• Secondly, the CE Mark has been illegitimately placed on products which do not require the Mark, giving consumers the false impression that the product is one of quality.
• Thirdly, the CE Mark does not represent a product having undergone safety testing but rather a self-declaration mark from the manufacturer to allow the product’s free movement across Europe. The CE Mark’s aim is to provide a clear indication that a product meets the requirements of relevant CE marking directives and therefore should not be stopped at Member State borders.

Who is responsible?

UnderCE Marking，制造商负责进行全面风险分析，符合基本要求，并确保他们可以提供所做的证据。如果统一标准适用于产品，制造商有责任申请它。制造商的额外责任现在也将确定标准是否完全适用于产品及其环境，或者如果产品在放置在开放市场之前需要进一步的安全测试。

Whilst the vast majority of EU manufacturers are very thorough in ensuring they invest in meeting these standards, there has been criticism that manufacturers from a small number of EU member states have not been so rigorous. This has allowed cheaper, potentially unsafe products to enter the market.

实现CE合规性

Reassuringly, market surveillance authorities across the EU are addressing this issue with more active policing of CE Marking. This will ensure a more level playing field for manufacturers across the whole of the EU and will make sure that the CE Mark retains its status as a mark in which trust can be placed.

实现CE合规性can be a complex process due to the requirements of individual directives, particularly when combinations of directives apply simultaneously. As a Notified Body for the key EU product safety and communications directives, Element is able to provide expert help and guidance to support products through the relevant testing process.

For advice onCE Markinga device, pleasecontact usor call UK +44 808 234 1667 or US +1 888 786 7555.