CE marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with health,
safety, and Environmental Protection standards for Products sold within the European
Economic Area (EEA).
The
CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured
in, or designed to be sold in, the EEA. The
letters "CE" are the abbreviation of French phrase "Conformité Européene" which
literally means "European Conformity". The term initially used was
"EC Mark" and it was officially replaced by "CE Marking" in
the Directive 93/68/EEC in 1993. "CE Marking" is now used in all EU
official documents.
General principles of the CE
marking
- The CE marking
shall be affixed only by the manufacturer or his authorised
representative.
- The CE marking
shall be affixed only to products to which its affixing is provided for by
specific Community harmonisation legislation, and shall not be affixed to
any other product.
- By affixing or
having affixed the CE marking, the manufacturer indicates that he takes
responsibility for the conformity of the product with all applicable
requirements set out in the relevant Community harmonisation legislation
providing for its affixing.
- The CE marking
shall be the only marking which attests the conformity of the product with
the applicable requirements of the relevant Community harmonisation
legislation providing for its affixing.
- The affixing to
a product of markings, signs or inscriptions which are likely to mislead
third parties regarding the meaning or form of the CE marking shall be
prohibited. Any other marking may be affixed to the product provided that
the visibility, legibility and meaning of the CE marking is not thereby
impaired.
- Member States
shall ensure the correct implementation of the regime governing the CE
marking and take appropriate action in the event of improper use of the
marking. Member States shall also provide for penalties for infringements,
which may include criminal sanctions for serious infringements. Those
penalties shall be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and
constitute an effective deterrent against improper use.
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