CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European Directives. CE marking gives companies easier access into the European market to sell their products without adaptation or rechecking. The letters CE stand for "Conformité Européenne" which means "European Conformity". They are a declaration by the manufacturer that his product meets the requirements of the applicable European Directive(s).

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 website.

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 that contain CE marking requirements are available.

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.

In general CE marking must appear on the product but see the individual guidance for exceptions. It may also appear on the packaging, in manuals or other supporting literature, but again it is best to study the guidance.

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 at the top of this page (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.

Enforcement varies according to the Directives. Some are enforced by local Trading Standards Departments, others by HSA 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.

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.

Lists of standards that provide a presumption of conformity with the EC Directives for the purposes of CE marking are available from the "New Approach" website.