What is a CE mark?
This is a crucial certification for products in the European Economic Area. It indicates that a product complies with EU regulations focused on safety, health, and the environment. This marking is not a quality label but a declaration by the manufacturer that the product is safe. It is also mandatory for products falling under EU directives.
Who is responsible for affixing the CE mark?
The responsibility for correctly applying the CE marking lies with the manufacturer. The manufacturer must demonstrate that the product complies with all relevant EU directives and standards by compiling technical documentation and, if necessary, having the product tested by an accredited body. After these processes, the manufacturer issues an EC Declaration of Conformity and affixes the CE marking to the product. Importers and distributors are also responsible for verifying that the products they trade bear the CE marking correctly.
Control of CE marking
In the Netherlands, various authorities inspect products for which CE marking is mandatory. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, for instance, checks whether gas appliances meet the legal requirements. And the Inspectorate SZW checks, for example, equipment in explosive environments. RVO.nl provides an overview of the inspecting authorities for each product group.
Products that do not comply with CE marking requirements
Products that do not meet the requirements of the CE marking can have consequences. These products may be considered non-compliant and unsafe, which can result in legal actions against the manufacturer, such as fines or product recalls. Additionally, such products may be banned from sale within the EU. It is therefore essential for manufacturers, like TRALERT®, to ensure that their products fully comply with the required standards to ensure safety and quality and to adhere to the regulations.
Requirements for vehicle lighting and work lamps
To be eligible for a CE mark, products must demonstrably comply with the following regulations:
- Richtlijn 2014/35/EU Low Voltage Directive (Note: applicable for electrical equipment designed for a nominal DC voltage between 75V and 1,500V);
- General Product Safety; Richtlijn 2001/95/EG
- Richtlijn 2014/30/EU Electromagnetic Compatibility
(For Tralert® products, this is concretely elaborated in the ECE-R10 regelgeving); - Richtlijn 2011/65/EU Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
(Known as the RoHS directive).