Marking - Frequently Asked Questions 

You need to establish first which, if any, of the New Approach Directives or older Global Approach Directives applies to your product. CE marking only applies to products within the scope of these Directives. It should not be applied to products if they are outside the scope of the Directives.

The European Commission's "Blue Guide" (Guide to the Implementation of Directives Based on the New Approach and Global Approach) lists Directives where the CE Marking will be applicable. It is available for download from the Commission's website.

For specific information on the Directives, please read our relevant guidance documents (see below).

The same principles above apply to imported products. It is the responsibility of the importer / person placing the product on the market to ensure that the product is correctly CE-marked.
 

It is necessary first to establish which Directives apply to the product. It is impossible to draw up hard-and-fast rules, and it is important to seek independent and impartial advice if you are in any doubt. Guidance booklets on many of the EC Directives (or UK regulations implementing those Directives) that contain CE marking requirements are available. Printed versions are available free of charge to addresses within the UK only, and can be ordered from the DTI's website. They can also be downloaded from the STRD website in Adobe Acrobat format.

• It is important also to understand that not all EC Directives relating to products, e.g. the General Product Safety Directive, require CE marking:
   
• nor that a particular Directive applies to all products that could be described by its title e.g. the Machinery Directive does not apply to every conceivable product that might be termed a machine. Most of the Directives set out 'scopes' i.e. the range of products to which they apply.

You should therefore study the UK regulations implementing the Directives. Copies of the regulations can be obtained from The Stationery Office.
 

What is the design of the CE marking, and how big / small must it appear?

Where can I get the artwork / sample graphics?

The CE mark must not be less than 5mm in its vertical height, and the proportions maintained. It is generally shown on a grid in the guidance booklets, as below (the grid does not form part of the marking and is for information only):

This mark looks the same as some previous marks, but there are subtle changes, and it should be studied closely. It should be noted, for example, that the C and E are not formed by perfect semi-circles, i.e. the top and bottom arms extend one square beyond the semi-circles, and the middle arm of the E stops one square short.

The graphic is not made available for download from any official sources, but can be obtained in a wide variety of file formats from commercial organisations, sometimes freely available for download. One such organisation in the UK is Conformance, but please note that the DTI makes no guarantee of accuracy or suitability of any files obtained from commercial sources.
    

Enforcement varies according to the Directives. Some are enforced by local Trading Standards Departments, others by HSE and yet others by the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and the Vehicle Certification Agency.

Enforcement procedures/penalties: Except where safety is at risk, the relevant enforcement authority will usually provide you with an opportunity to ensure that your product is correctly CE-marked. If you fail to comply then you will be obliged to take your product off the market, and you may also be liable to a fine and/or imprisonment.
  

CE-marking applies to the circulation of a product within the EEA. It is not required for exporting a product to non-EEA countries. You need to check on the particular regulatory requirements or standards that apply to your product in the country in question. The same standards may apply but they may also be different.

Advice on exporting is available from the Trade Partners UK network, which delivers services co-ordinated by British Trade International, the organisation set up in May 1999 to take lead responsibility within Government for trade development and promotion.

The Technical Help for Exporters service run by the BSI may also be able to offer some advice.
  

These are bodies appointed by each member State under the appropriate national regulations to conduct third-party conformity assessment procedures to the product in question or its production processes, as required by the Directives, in order that it may be CE-marked. The procedures vary according to the Directives and third-party involvement is not compulsory for all products. Manufacturers can use the services of Notified/Approved/Competent Bodies in any member State of the European Community.

Some listings of these Bodies can be obtained from the STRD webpages - or from Publications@DTI - and others from the European Commission's website.