CE marking
CE marking accompanies a product into the European Economic Area. It indicates that the manufacturer declares the applicable EU requirements for safety, health and environmental protection to be met.
What does CE mean?
CE stands for “Conformité Européenne” (European Conformity). It is not a quality mark but an administrative marking indicating that a product meets the essential requirements of the relevant EU directives.
With the CE marking, the manufacturer declares on their own responsibility that the product is compliant, and may distribute it throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).
Manufacturer obligations
Breaches of the electromagnetic compatibility rules can be prosecuted as a regulatory offence. The range of fines is set out in section 33 EMVG (German EMC Act): up to 100,000 euros for breaches of section 8(1) and 8(2) sentence 1, up to 10,000 euros for the other offences listed there. The competent authority is the Bundesnetzagentur. Which obligations apply to your product specifically has to be assessed case by case.
The shape is prescribed
The CE marking is not the letters “CE” set in an arbitrary typeface. Its form follows the grid in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008.
- If the marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions of the grid must be respected.
- The components must have substantially the same vertical dimension.
- Minimum height 5 mm, unless the applicable legislation states otherwise.
- Affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or its rating plate.
The dimensioned artwork is provided by the European Commission: CE marking downloads. Redrawn marks often fail to keep the proportions.
Key EU directives for electronics
EMC Directive
2014/30/EU
Low Voltage
2014/35/EU
Radio Equipment (RED)
2014/53/EU
The route to CE marking
Six steps to a compliant product marking
Identify the directives
Determine which EU directives apply to your product. For electronic devices these are typically the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU), the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and, where relevant, the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).
Determine the harmonised standards
There are harmonised standards for each applicable directive. Complying with them gives rise to the presumption of conformity. For example: EN 55032 for emissions, EN 55035 for immunity.
Carry out the conformity assessment
Most EMC tests can be carried out under internal production control (Module A). You have to demonstrate that your product meets the standards.
Compile the technical documentation
The technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity must be kept available for ten years after the last unit was placed on the market (section 8(3) EMVG). They contain the product description, the risk analysis, test reports, schematics and the user documentation.
Issue the EU declaration of conformity
As the manufacturer or the party placing the product on the market, you draw up the written declaration that your product meets the requirements.
Affix the CE marking
The CE mark is affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the product or its rating plate. The minimum height is 5 mm.
Technical documentation
These documents have to be kept available for the Bundesnetzagentur for ten years after the last unit was placed on the market (section 8(3) EMVG).
Product description
Risk analysis
Test reports
Schematics and layouts
Bill of materials
User manual
Declaration of conformity
Avoiding common mistakes
No testing or incomplete testing
Some manufacturers affix the CE marking without having actually tested. Market surveillance can lead to recalls and substantial fines.
Outdated version of a standard
Standards are revised regularly. Testing against an outdated version no longer provides the presumption of conformity.
Missing declaration of conformity
The EU declaration of conformity has to be available with every delivery. Without it, the CE marking is worthless.
Changes to the product
Every substantial design change requires a new assessment. A different processor or a different power supply means new testing.
Keep the EMC requirements in view early
Pre-compliance measurements show early where your product stands against the limits, and prepare the later conformity assessment. The declaration of conformity is issued by you as the manufacturer.