A CE mark affixed to an article or the accompanying documents guarantees that it complies with the applicable EU directives on a product-specific basis. This means that the manufacturer guarantees knowledge of and compliance with harmonised minimum standards with regard to health, safety and the environment. It therefore bundles and harmonises various standards or regulations and thus simplifies trade within the European Union. It is irrelevant whether the distributor is based in Europe or not; the only decisive factor is the place of distribution.
Depending on the product category, the use of the CE mark is not necessarily linked to a test and therefore sometimes requires a leap of faith on the part of the end user.
The declaration of conformity with the applicable standards is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, as the use of the CE mark does not require external authorisation. However, it is mandatory to check whether the manufacturer's own internal product control is sufficient or whether a "notified body" must be consulted. In addition, a compilation of the technical documents proving the conformity of the product with the standards is required, as well as the issue of a declaration of conformity, which must be signed with a legally binding signature.
Only an additional four-digit number, the identification number, indicates that the corresponding product has also been checked by a "notified body" (an independent institution listed in the NANDO database) for compliance with the directives. This conformity assessment procedure in accordance with EU harmonisation legislation is subject to a fee.
There is no validity limit for the CE marking, but the EU Declaration of Conformity must always be kept up to date. This applies to changes to the applicable legislation, the product itself or the manufacturer (contact) data.
Conversely, products for which there are no regulations may not bear the CE mark.
CE labelling is not a seal of quality, but is nevertheless an important indicator for the consumer, as it shows compliance with minimum standards.
