CE marking is required for products manufactured anywhere in the world that are then marketed in the EU. What CE marking means, is that it indicates that a product has been assessed by the manufacturer and deemed to meet EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements.
Before affixing the CE logo on the label of your product, you must make sure that your product complies with all the relevant requirements. For the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU affixing the CE logo is mandatory before selling your product in Europe.
How to put the CE logo on your product?
The sole responsibility for declaring conformity with all requirements is with the product Manufacturer. There is no need for a license to affix the CE marking to your product, however, before doing so, you should:
- Ensure conformity with all relevant EU-wide requirements.
- Determine whether you can assess your product by yourself or if you have to involve a notified body.
- Put together a technical dossier (Technical Construction File) to show that your product conformity.
- Draft and sign an EU declaration of conformity (DoC).
As a default the CE marking is to be affixed directly to the product or its data plate. When the nature of the product makes this impossible, it should be applied to any product packaging and documents (user manuals) required by its directive.
The CE mark must be applied in a way that can not be easily removed.
Size requirements for the CE logo
The CE marking must be visible, legible and indelible.
The CE marking must consist of the initials “CE”, both letters should have the same vertical dimension and be no smaller than 5mm (unless specified differently in the relevant product requirements).
If you wish to reduce or enlarge the CE marking on your product, you should respect the proportions of the two letters. As long as the initials remain visible, the CE marking can take different forms (for example color, solid or hollow).
If the CE marking cannot be affixed to the product itself, you can affix it to the packaging if there is any, or to any accompanying documents. If your product is subject to several EU directives/regulations which require a CE marking to be affixed, the accompanying documents must indicate that your product conforms to all applicable EU directives/regulations.
Authorized representative
The manufacturer, whether established inside or outside the European Union, is the responsible party for the conformity of the product with the provisions of the EU legislation and for the affixing of the CE marking. The manufacturer may appoint an authorised representative to affix the CE marking on his behalf and to maintain the Technical Construction File for 10 years. Also if asked by surveillance authorities he can answer to any questions and if needed send them proof of the conformity dossier.
In the case when an importer or distributor or another operator places the product on the market under their own name or trademark or modifies them, they then take over the manufacturer’s responsibilities. This includes the responsibility for the conformity of the product and the affixing of the CE marking. In this case they must have sufficient information on the design and production of the product, as they will be assuming the legal responsibility when affixing the CE marking.
Usage Restrictions
The user of your product is sometimes subject to certain conditions, for example conditions necessary to use the device safely. For example, radio equipment may be subject to conditions that ensure that no interference occurs. The consumer may then only use the device in a certain position (which limits the frequency or power) or only in a certain location (e.g. indoors). A permit may also be required for use.
If there is a restriction on use, the manufacturer must indicate this on the device. He does this by means of the attached sign.
