CE Certification (IEC Compliance)

A CE Mark is a symbol that must be affixed to many products before they can be sold in the European market. The mark indicates that a product:

• Fulfills the requirements of relevant European product directives
• Meets all the requirements of the relevant recognized European harmonized performance and safety standards
• Is fit for its purpose and will not endanger lives or property

CE marking does not provide any specific information to the consumer. It is not a quality assurance declaration, it does not show evidence of third-party testing, and it should not be confused with any independent certification mark of the type issued by international or European notified test bodies such as UL and Intertek.

Certain directives include an option for the responsible organization to provide a declaration of conformity stating that a product fulfills the requirements of the applicable directives. However, if challenged, the appropriate evidence must be supplied to support the self-declaration claim. Other directives, particularly those pertaining to products affecting health and/or safety, such as pressure vessels or UV lighting, will require a specific certificate from a notified body.

As electrical appliances, RBW products fall into one of three appliance classes under IEC 60598 (available in RBW's shared Compliance folder). Luminaires are also subject to the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC), and RBW's AC-input products are additionally subject to the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). CE certification also entails RoHS testing and compliance.

Affixing a CE Mark to a product is considered a means to certify for authorities within the EU member states that the product meets all appropriate EU requirements.

There is an EU requirement that products not in conformity with the provisions of the directives are not allowed to circulate in the territories of the member states; appropriate action should be taken to remove these products from sale and use within the specific state. One example is the recent import of toys from China to the UK which, when examined, were found to contain a high level of poisonous toxins that endanger life.

The importer and/or manufacturer must take steps to comply with safety provisions, produce the appropriate records, and decide on the necessary procedures to maintain production in conformity with directives. The CE Mark must be affixed to demonstrate conformity with the provisions of the directives.

Any organization manufacturing or selling products in the EU should be aware of its obligations when it comes to demonstrating conformity to requirements and directives:

• The CE Mark must be affixed to demonstrate conformity with the provisions of the directives.
• In the event of a challenge, a report from a notified body may be submitted showing conformity of the equipment. This allows the manufacturer to work with a notified body to show conformity with the safety objectives.

CE and RoHS compliance reports and certificates are available upon request to sales@rbw.com.