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CE Marking & CE Testing

ACS stands ready to help manufacturers understand the process of gaining approval under the applicable Directives and to apply the CE Mark to their product and place it on the European market.  The process can be complex and confusing for some manufacturers with limited or no experience. 

It is important to note that CE Marking represents compliance to all Directives & standards that apply to the product in question.  For that reason it is not necessary to apply a CE Mark for the EMC Directive, another for the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and another for the Marine Directive, for example.  One CE Mark is all that is required, even though all 3 of those Directives may apply to a particular device.

CE Marking Process

The process for most products, essentially consist of 6 parts from beginning to end.  Each part is just as important as the other.  They are:

• Developing the test plan
• Executing the test plan
• Writing the test reports
• Labeling the product
• Drawing up the Declaration of Conformity
• Placing the product on the market

Developing the CE Testing plan

It is essential that a sound test plan be developed and reviewed with the manufacturer and the test facility.  This acts as a cross check that the test facility adequately understands what the product is and is applying the appropriate standards.

Executing the CE Testing plan

The next phase is to apply the test plan and perform all of the tests that have been identified as being required.  Testing should be carried out thoroughly and the manufacturer kept informed of all activities and anomalies that come up during testing however insignificant they may seem.  In many cases, the manufacturer is the best to understand the desired operation of their equipment, and what a failure, or degradation of performance might be. 

Writing the CE test reports

Writing a thorough test report is essential.  Satisfactory testing alone is not enough to allow a manufacturer to ship product.  Evidence of compliance is required.  That evidence is a Declaration of Conformity that is backed up by a detailed test report.  The test report must adequately describe the product that was tested, the environment in which it was tested and the results of the test.  Photographs & block diagrams, technical drawings, schematics, bill of materials and other detailed information should be included where appropriate to sufficiently describe the product and show that it complies with a given standard.  Enforcement is being stepped up in the EU, and reports should be at the ready in case equipment gets stopped at the border.

Labeling the product

After successfully passing all of the tests, the manufacturer can begin to apply the CE Mark to the device.  The label artwork should be reviewed by an expert to ensure compliance with the proper proportion requirements of the mark as it is specific.  Although not required, it is highly recommended that the CE Marking be included on the outside packaging in addition to on the device.  This will prevent delays in customs since agents will have to open packages to check equipment for the mark.  They likely will not if they see it on the packaging. 

The CE Mark serves as the first level of evidence of compliance to the applicable  Directives.

Drawing up the Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

The DoC is the manufacturer’s declaration that they are placing a compliant product on the market.  It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to draw up the DoC.  EN 45014 is a European Norm that outlines the information that must be contained on the DoC.  ACS issues a Statement of Compliance (SoC) with our test reports.  The SoC contains all of the information required in the DoC.  The manufacturer can use this information as a template to draw up their DoC.

The manufacturer must keep this DoC on file for period of ten years after the production of the last unit.  

The DoC is the manufacturer’s second level of evidence and must be produced and provided to the authorities if requested. 

The test reports serve as the third and final level of evidence of compliance and must be produced and provided to the authorities if requested.

Placing the CE Marked product on the market

After CE Testing is complete, reports are in hand, the equipment is labeled properly and the DoC is drawn up, the manufacturer is free to begin shipping product comfortably knowing that there will be no impediments at any European borders.

 

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