CEmärgist

CEmärgist, or the CE marking, is a designation placed on products to indicate conformity with relevant European Union harmonization legislation and the essential health, safety, and environmental requirements those products must meet to be sold in the EU and EEA. The mark signals that the manufacturer has assessed the product and declared its compliance with applicable directives and regulations.

The CE mark enables free movement of goods within the EU/EEA. It applies to a wide range of product categories, including electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, medical devices, toys, personal protective equipment, construction products, and more. Whether a CE mark is required depends on the product and the directives that cover it. Some products may require third-party conformity assessment by a Notified Body, while others can be self-certified using harmonized European standards.

To obtain the CE marking, the manufacturer identifies the applicable directives, selects the appropriate conformity assessment procedure, creates technical documentation, and draws up an EU Declaration of Conformity. The product is then affixed with the CE mark, which must be visible, legible, and indelible, and the technical documentation must be kept available for national authorities. Importers and distributors also have responsibilities to ensure the product bearing the CE mark remains compliant and to maintain documentation.

It is important to note that the CE mark is not a quality mark or a certificate of origin. It indicates conformity with essential requirements in the applicable EU harmonization legislation, but it does not guarantee performance or quality beyond those requirements. National market authorities enforce compliance through surveillance and enforcement actions.