How to Affix the CE Marking

There has been a lot of confusion as to how to go about affixing the CE Marking to a product. Many manufacturers have asked if they need to place more than one CE Marking on their product if more than one directive applies. Some are not exactly sure where to place the mark, or if they need to add a date next to the CE Marking. The answers are fairly straight-forward and can be found in Council Directive 93/68/EEC. This is an amending directive that covers directives 87/404/EEC (simple pressure vessels), 88/378/EEC (safety of toys),89/336/EEC (EMC), 89/392/EEC (machinery), and much more.

What if more than one Directive applies?
You do not need to have more than one CE Marking placed on your product if more than one directive applies. However, by placing the CE Marking on your product, you are stating that your product complies with ALL applicable directives. Otherwise your product has been illegally placed on the market. An EU Declaration of Conformity needs to be issued for EACH directive that has been met.

Where should you place the CE Marking?
There is more flexibility with regards to where to place the CE marking. The CE marking can be placed on the apparatus, its packaging, the instruction documents, or the guarantee certificate. The choice is up to the manufacturer.

Should a date be placed next to the CE Marking?
As for whether or not a date needs to be placed next to the CE marking, the answer depends on the directive. The EMC Directive, for example, does not require a date next to the mark. The Machinery Directive, however, requires a year of construction to be added under the CE marking. The Low Voltage Directive, on the other hand, does not require a year next to the CE marking, but it does require that the EU Declaration of Conformity contain the last two digits of the year in which the CE marking was affixed.

One thing that is standard and consistent among directives is that the CE marking needs to be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly. If the CE marking is reduced or enlarged, the proportions specified in the directive must be respected. For most directives, the CE marking must have a height of at least 5 mm.

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