CE Directives
The various Directives in force are common requirements throughout the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the United Kingdom. These Directives are legally enforceable.
Member States must presume that products bearing the CE marking comply with all the provisions of the applicable Directives providing for its affixing.
Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market and putting into service in their territory of products bearing the CE marking, unless the provisions relating to CE marking are incorrectly applied.
Your customers, throughout the UK and EEA may presume that any product purchased from you, without any prompting from them, will comply with any Directives applicable to that product.
The CE marking is mandatory and when affixed to products is a declaration by the ‘person responsible’ that:-
the product conforms to all applicable Community provisions, and
the appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been completed.
In Directive terms the ‘person responsible’ is the manufacturer of a product who introduces it to the marketplace even though it may use finished products, ready-made parts or components, or if these tasks have been subcontracted.
Member States must now nominate or establish authorities to be responsible for market surveillance to ensure that the provisions of applicable Directives are complied with across the Community.
Formidable that it appears, CE marking is only a logical progression to a safe product; the Directives recognise inherent dangers over a wide range of products, draw them to our attention and then ensure that they are properly addressed.
If you are not properly CE marking, start now. It will not be a problem because help is at hand.
If you are CE marking, now is the time to ensure that it is being properly undertaken and that you are using current legislation.
Why not contact DACS for assistance or a review of your current CE marking system?
