CE Marking

What is CE marking?

The letters "CE" are the abbreviation of the French phrase "Conformité Européenne", which literally means "European Conformity". CE involves a statement issued by the manufacturer, stating that the product complies with the basic criteria of the European Union - for example the EMC Directive - with respect to safety, the environment, and the user's health. This statement is visibly represented on the product by the CE symbol.

Depending on the risks, for some product groups the manufacturer's statement must be confirmed by means of testing by an independent third party, a so-called Notified Body. If there is compliance with all the applicable criteria stipulated in the European standard for the relevant product, then there is a legal "assumption of conformity" to the requirement originating from the directive. A test conducted by an independent third party on the basis of the prevailing European standards confirms that assumption of conformity. Apart from that, it may also be obligatory to comply with several directives and consequently different European standards, for example a combination of the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive.

CE conformity marking

• The CE conformity marking shall consist of the initials "CE" in exact proportion.
• If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions must be respected.
• Where apparatus is subject to other Directives covering other aspects that also provide for CE conformity marking, the marking indicates conformity with those Directives.
• Where one or more Directives allow the manufacturer, during a transitional period, to choose which arrangements to apply, the CE marking shall indicate conformity only to the Directives applied by the manufacturer. The applicable Directives must be identified in the accompanying documentation.
• The various components of the CE marking must have substantially the same vertical dimension, which may not be less than 5 mm.